DOES MUSIC MOVE YOU? HERE'S THE ACTUAL REASON WHY IT HAPPENS!

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Recognition-of-music-in-brain_fig1_357920499

For most of us here, music is something that simply makes our life better. For all the music lovers, this post is especially for you all! Imagine a day without music- a world where melodies don't grace our ears, and rhythms don't resonate within our souls. From the soothing cadence of a lullaby to the pulsating beats of an adrenaline-filled anthem, music has an unparalleled ability to mold our emotional landscapes and shape our mental well-being. Even some nearly non-communicative people with Alzheimer's disease sing along and engage in conversations when the music they have listened to the most, during their childhood days, is played. 

Let's actually explore the reason why and how music moves us so much!

When you listen to music, it is basically like a power-up for your brain! It's like a surge of energy zipping through your mind. When you tune in, your brain gets a boost- the limbic system (area of the brain responsible for emotions and memories) lights up with activity! 

Ever felt those tingles down your spine when a song hits you just right? That's your brain's way of saying- "Yes, more of this, please!" It's all thanks to dopamine, the brain's happy neurotransmitter. Just a few notes of your favourite tune can set off a dopamine party in your body, making you feel awesome. Just as Pavlov's dog was conditioned to associating food with a ringing bell; and eventually began drooling at the sound of a bell, even with no sight of food; similarly, our bodies actively anticipate pleasure upon hearing familiar notes.

There have been several studies which have documented instances of people who have undergone serious brain injuries and lost their ability to distinguish melodies but retained the ability to recognise the emotion conveyed by the music. It was noted by researchers that such patients had sustained damage to the temporal lobes of the brain (region of the brain involved in comprehending melody), while their frontal lobes (region of the brain which plays a role in emotional regulation) remained unaffected. 

Some people listen to music while reading and there are some people who read while listening to music ;) (I fall into neither of the two categories- I either read/listen to music, never both lol) But, guess what, the neural processes the brain goes through in reading is quite similar to the processes involved in fabricating individual sounds together into the overall perception of a song. This is because, working memory is involved in both the processes, and research says that there's quite a strong connection between working memory for verbal stimuli and musical stimuli! Many studies suggest that listening to songs may help neurons to process information more efficiently and enhance synaptic facilitation and plasticity. A study was done on stroke survivors who listened to music on a daily basis and those who didn't. This study revealed that the adults who listened to music on a daily basis experienced significantly enhanced effects in cognition and verbal memory after two months than those who didn't listen to either music or audio books on a daily basis.

Pain, an intricate sensation, emanates from a complex interplay of signals coursing through the nervous system. The nociceptive pathway, responsible for transmitting pain signals, involves a cascade of events: from the activation of specialised nerve endings (nociceptors) to the relay of electrical impulses via the spinal cord to the brain's somatosensory cortex. Studies have unveiled the remarkable efficacy of music in diverting attention away from nociceptive signals, engaging cognitive resources, and triggering the release of neurotransmitters associated with pleasure and pain modulation. The release of endorphins- our body's natural painkillers, is prompted by musical stimuli, akin to a crescendo that alleviates discomfort. 

Additionally, music has been linked to reduced levels of cortisol- the stress hormone. Music has been adapted as a form of stress management and studies have confirmed the effect of music on the reduction of stress responses in the cardiovascular and endocrine system. Specifically, music has been shown to modify heart rate, respiration rate and other autonomic systems. Lifestyle choices that reduce stress are thought to be highly protective against certain serious diseases, and music may be among these. Music also proves to be a possible anti-inflammatory mechanism in certain central inflammatory conditions like depression and anxiety.

So, just like how you head to the gym, if you want to firm up your body; if you want to exercise your brain, listen to music! Now you know the reason why your heartbeat syncs with the rhythm of your favourite song! When you're immersed in your favourite tune, your feel-good neurotransmitters get released, which are like a musical potion that alters your mood, making you tap your feet, sway, or even dance involuntarily! 

Hence, the next time you're feeling low or stressed, all you gotta do is, try turning up the volume of your favourite track. Feel the rhythm pulsating through your veins, the harmonies lifting up your spirits, and the lyrics resonating with your emotions! It's not just music, it's a physiological symphony that tunes your body and soul, inviting you to be an active participant in its transformative effects! 

Source: https://medium.com/@anushka2sarkar/how-music-effect-on-our-brain-eb41aa658e06