Music and Brain Health
By: Faithful Olarinde
Photo by Veronika Tarakanova on Unsplash
Music is an important part of human life, with its rhythms and chords’ ability to elicit strong emotions such as joy, excitement, anger, sadness, and hope. Before scientific studies highlighted the importance of this art form on the brain, ancient figures such as Plato had discussed the importance of this art form and its ability to touch the “soul” (1).
Many scientific studies have shown that music acts as a comprehensive “brain gym” activating almost every region to improve cognition, mood, and even memory. Starting with the most basic, the act of listening activates your auditory cortex. The limbic system, which is considered the emotion processing area of the brain, is not only active when listening to music, but is also synchronized (2). Interestingly, music activates the motor region of the brain even without any conscious movement. It has been found that music, regardless of one’s preference, can enhance motor cortex excitability and music playing over time can increase the size of grey matter in the primary motor cortex (3). This points to music as a potential care for different diseases affecting the primary motor cortex/motor skills.
Music and memory:
A study done at the University of Toronto also showed that listening to music with personal meaning can cause beneficial brain plasticity in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (4). Cognitive disorders like MCI and Alzheimer’s usually come with memory deficits and these researchers proposed that music can act as an access key to our memories and the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, music memory is stored in the hippocampus, which is a central location in the brain. This makes it less liable to age-related memory decline. This is also why, after not listening to a song for years, you can still remember most of the lyrics, which is impossible to do for a paragraph not practised for years. The integrity of music memories makes it interesting to researchers studying memory.
Why is music important?
We’ve all heard about the “use it or lose it” phenomenon of the brain. Brain pathways and networks that aren’t activated often are usually weakened or removed to make the brain more efficient (1). This is why, after not practicing a skill for years, people find it harder to perform it. Practice, which reactivates that pathway, is important for maintaining it. Since music activates almost all brain regions, it can help keep a lot of brain pathways and networks strong, acting as a way to strengthen pathways, which is beneficial for maintaining memory and brain health.
The ability of music to help with memory retrieval, strengthen brain networks, and promote neuron excitability in many brain regions, specifically the motor cortex, makes it an interesting candidate for therapies in many neurological conditions.
Musical health workers are healthcare professionals trained to use music to accomplish physical, emotional, cognitive, and social goals (4). Musical engagement aims to stimulate neural connectivity, reduce anxiety and stress, and promote cognitive functions. Many individuals find it a good non-pharmacological treatment to supplement their brain health as well as manage neurological and psychological conditions.
So next time you’re listening to music, think of all the great things you’re doing for your brain!
Check out the Brain Wellness Program’s Classes here. They offer Creative Classes, including “Beats for the Brain”, “Songshine”, and Virtual Singing. The mission is to help people find their voice through music, by empowering each participant to pursue musical enrichment. The classes uses the power of play to build confidence, support personal health, and, most importantly, bring people together in a lasting community of connection.
Go enjoy listening to music, and your brain will thank you!
References
Schoen-Nazzaro, M. (n.d.). Il a pour mission la promotion et la valorisation de la recherche. Laval théologique et philosophique Plato and Aristotle on the Ends of Music. https://doi.org/10.7202/705684ar
Budson, A. (2020, October 7). Why Is Music Good for the Brain? Harvard Health Blog; Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-is-music-good-for-the-brain-2020100721062
Zaatar, M. T., Alhakim, K., Enayeh, M., & Tamer, R. (2023). The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100716
Hoffer, M., Avirett, J., Bocharski, K., & Da Costa, J. (2024). On Repeat: Listening to Favourite Music Improves Brain Function in Alzheimer’s Patients: Toronto Study. Utoronto.ca. https://temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/news/repeat-listening-favourite-music-improves-brain-function-alzheimers-patients-toronto-study