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Judy Martinez Seven scientific proofs of the influence of music on the body and psyche of people [перевод], article. Stereo & Video Magazine
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Judging by the number of studies devoted to the influence of music on the physiological and psychological aspects of our lives, we know a lot (and at the same time do not know much) about how music affects the mind and body. “The better we understand the nature of music and where it comes from, the better we may be able to understand our own motives, fears, desires, memories and even communication in a very broad sense,” says neuroscientist, musician and writer Daniel Levitin. ) in his book This Is Your Brain on Music.
Levitin asks: “What is more like listening to music – like eating food to satisfy hunger? Or watching the sunset or scratching your back that activates the pleasure centers in your brain? ” The truth is, the effects of music are varied. However, in recent years, scientists have achieved unprecedented heights in understanding how the human brain reacts to music and how sound affects not only the mind, but also the body.
Here are some examples.
Music will make you smarter
It is no secret that music has a strong effect on human mental activity, due to which different parts of the brain are activated, motives and texts are remembered. Different melodies and rhythms evoke different emotional responses. It has even been proven that the medium volume noise around us enhances creativity, and listening to music can help with brain injuries.
For musicians, things are even better, especially for those who have played musical instruments since childhood. According to some studies, studying music contributes to sustainable development of performance techniques and non-verbal thinking. In an interview with News in Health, Harvard Medical School neuroscientist Dr. Gottfried Schlaug argues that musicians have a different nerve composition than non-musicians. At the same time, he refers to research, which says that the musician’s brain has more neurovascular bundles connecting the left hemisphere with the right.
“When composing music, different parts of the brain are activated, including the visual, auditory and motor,” says Schlaug. “This is why songwriting is of potential interest for the treatment of nervous disorders.”
Sad music doesn’t always make you sad
Sad music doesn’t necessarily make you cry, according to research published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2013. The results show that music evokes two types of emotions: recognizable and experienced. This means that although many people are really sad when they listen to sad music, the process of listening to it is not emotionally depressive.
The results of a study of 44 people showed that “sad music, although perceived as tragic, nevertheless, when listening to it, people experienced romantic, funny and much less sad emotions than how they perceived the composition from a cognitive standpoint.” Thus, when listening to sad music, the study participants experienced ambivalent feelings.
Music has a positive therapeutic effect
Since ancient times, musical accompaniment has been used in cleansing rituals around the world, and science believes that this is not without reason. In his 2006 Harvard study, The Effect of Music on the Human Body and Mind, Don Kent said that Plato suggested using music to treat anxiety, and Aristotle saw music as a tool to get rid of unstable emotional background. In ancient Greece, Apollo was generally the god of both music and health.
“Music has a marked physiological effect on many biological processes,” said Kent’s study. “It reduces the effects of fatigue, changes the pulse and evens breathing, pressure, plus it has a psychogalvanic effect.” As evidence, Kent cites Michelle Lefevre’s 2004 book Playing With Sound: The Therapeutic Use of Music in Direct Work With Children. year. It says that a shrill tone and loud bounce can cause panic and increase anxiety.
One theory even describes a certain “Mozart Effect”: research has confirmed that when listening to the infamous “Sonata for 2 Pianos in D Major,” patients showed signs of epileptic seizures, even those who were in a coma.
Music really sets the mood
“Music can increase libido,” Curtis Levang, clinical psychologist and family counselor, told Everyday Health. Urologist Y. Mark Hong also published his opinion: he explained that music and sex are similar in that they elicit strong emotional responses. Therefore, as he said, it is quite possible with the help of music to raise the level of serotonin in the blood and thus help men with low testosterone levels.
What’s more, background music can help you succeed on your first date. According to a study in France, single women when listening to romantic music were much more willing to give their phone number, as opposed to those who listened to something neutral.
Music will help bring things to an end
Various studies have shown that music increases endurance and helps us spend energy more efficiently during exercise. One 2012 study, Let’s Get Physical: The Psychology of Effective Workout Music, claims that cyclists pedaling to music consume 7% less oxygen than cyclists who pedal to music. who doesn’t use music to equalize the beat.
In a paper published in Scientific America, it is said that the beats per minute (bpm) of a song has a motivational effect, but only up to a point.
“The most recent study claims that the ceiling is 145 beats per minute, anything higher will not increase motivation that much. In some cases, the speed and fluidity of the lyrics start to crowd out the melody: many people work to rap, for example, characterized by intense and rhythmic lyrics set on a relatively calm melody. “
For example, the songs “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen, “Don’t Make Me a Target” by Spoon and “Do You Wanna Dance” by the Beach Boys have 147 bpm.
Spotify came to the same conclusion, and last year launched Spotify Running, adding technology to its platform to track a runner’s pace and play songs in a playlist at the appropriate BPM.
Music will help you find yourself
A group of scientists from the University of Missouri conducted a study and proved that music improves mood.
“Our work testifies to an activity common to many people: listening to music to lift your spirits,” writes lead author Yuna Ferguson in a press release for Healtline Reports. “While the pursuit of happiness is often perceived as selfishness, research shows that being happy increases socialization, health, income, and relationship satisfaction.”
Singing in the shower is good
In an article for Jweekly, Dr. Jerry Saliman argues that singing out loud is good for the health of the older generation in particular.
“Research has shown that singing can improve the brain function of older people with aphasia (complete or partial loss of speech) or Parkinson’s disease,” Saliman writes. – In addition, many old people live alone, due to chronic ailments (for example, arthritis), lead a sedentary lifestyle, and have limited means. Simple and affordable ways to have fun and keep in touch will have a positive effect on their well-being. ” Saliman adds that there has been a link between singing and improvement in the respiratory system of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: those who sing experience a decrease in shortness of breath.
Based on materials from “Stereo & Video” magazine, February 2016 www.stereo.ru
