Many people say they can’t live without music. We can play music to get out of bed, go to work, do sports or cook. In other words, we provide a soundtrack to our lives, and that’s why certain songs are associated with memories of important moments in our personal history.
Music is so intertwined with humanity that many scientists suggest it was the basis for the development of language in the evolution of our species. Both language and music are linked to the ability to process patterns of sound and rhythm. These skills may have helped our ancestors survive, facilitating group cohesion, the transmission of emotions, and coordination.
The influence of music on different aspects of our human lives has been studied for decades, and the results tell us that, as you probably intuitively know, music can influence mood, mental health, cognitive performance, athletic performance, and learning.
Music and atmosphere
It is clear that music has the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to sadness, and these emotional responses are deeply rooted in the neurobiology of the brain. Different studies have shown that listening to music can activate areas of the brain associated with pleasure, such as the nucleus accumbens, and the release of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter in the feeling of reward and pleasure. This explains why certain songs can make us feel happy, euphoric or nostalgic.
Movies effectively use music and different rhythms, note harmonies, dissonances, and volume levels to induce specific emotions, such as fear, sadness, or joy. Imagine movies like Out of Africa either Titanic without music. Probably no one would cry.
Various studies have shown that listening to music can activate areas of the brain associated with pleasure, such as the nucleus accumbens, and the release of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter in the feeling of reward and pleasure.
Music can help lower cortisol levels, which reduces stress. Music in a major key (the “happy” tone) and with a fast pace can increase feelings of optimism and perceived energy levels. Slow melodies in a minor key (which sound “sad”) can induce feelings of calm, nostalgia, or sadness, depending on the person’s emotional context. However, this also has its value. Listening to a song that makes us sad (for example, because of the loss of a loved one) can help process these emotions and regulate our response.
Music and mental health
Music therapy is recognized as an effective tool for treating a variety of disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, with results comparable to psychotherapy, and especially when combined with it. Music has also been shown to help treat chronic pain.
This is due in large part, as mentioned above, to music’s ability to provoke emotions, allowing us to experience them in a controlled way and thus process difficult feelings. In addition, music can also act as an emotional anchor, helping people connect with positive memories or regulate their emotional state in times of crisis. This was verified in a study carried out in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which it was found that music was the main tool people had to combat loneliness.
Cognitive performance and music
Do we think better with music? There are certainly conflicting opinions and, in fact, the impact of music on cognitive performance is a subject of debate among scientists. Does it help you concentrate or, on the contrary, is it distracting?
At the beginning of this century, the theory of the “Mozart effect” became fashionable, according to which listening to music by this composer for 15 minutes improved IQ test results. Unfortunately, this effect does not exist, and neither Mozart nor any other classical composer has the power to make us smarter.
However, later studies have shown that certain types of music, such as repetitive background music, can improve concentration and short-term memory, but only in certain types of people. It is generally known that music interferes with complex cognitive tasks and improves performance on simple tasks, but again, it depends on the music, the task, and the person.
Sports show and music
Have you ever played the song? Rocky running? Synchronizing the rhythm of music with physical movement, called musical synchrony, can improve energy efficiency and endurance.
Research using different tempos of music found that fast-tempo music (140 bpm) improved runners’ running times. Conversely, slow-tempo music (100 bpm) facilitated better recovery after exercise. Aerobics, Zumba, and similar class instructors use music strategically in different phases of exercise, whether to improve performance or to recover faster.
Synchronizing the rhythm of music with physical movement, called musical synchronization, can improve energy efficiency and endurance.
Music also has an effect on the perception of fatigue. In one experiment, athletes were measured during strength training and it was found that music delayed the onset of fatigue during the exercises, but only if music was listened to throughout the exercise from the beginning.
Additionally, motivational music with inspiring lyrics or a fast pace can increase physiological arousal, leading to increased speed in a race. Of course, let everyone choose their own music. One person’s motivational song may be unbearable for another.
Learning and cognitive development
Learning and music are intrinsically linked, especially in the early stages of cognitive development. It is known that early exposure of children to music can improve their linguistic, mathematical and abstract reasoning skills. However, various studies indicate that music is not the only factor. Again, making your baby listen to Mozart will not make him smarter.
The explanation for these improvements is that music is able to increase neuroplasticity, that is, the brain’s ability to remodel itself, create connections and learn new skills. Fortunately, this is not limited to children. Different studies have shown that in older adults, musical experiences, both listening to music and learning to perform it, can improve their mood, but they are also associated with greater brain volume and improvements in executive functions, memory, language and emotion processing.
How to Use Music to Improve Your Life
Music is a powerful tool that has the ability to influence our brains for the better, from emotions to cognitive and physical performance. Here are some of the ways it can improve your daily life:
- Make room for emotions: On days when you feel down, upbeat songs, like happy by Pharrell Williams is perhaps the most obvious solution. However, if you are going through a painful breakup, crying while listening to Someone like you by Adele can help manage sadness.
- Find your focus: Depending on the type of work you do, music may help you, or you may need silence. For more complex tasks, instrumental music with repetitive themes, such as that composed by the band Explosions in the Sky, may be a good option, but you have to find what works for you.
- Follow the ritual for walking, running or lifting weights: If you are going for a walk, keeping a brisk pace can increase the positive effects of the exercise. Consider a song with a steady beat like Stay alive by the Bee Gees. To run, increase the tempo: from 120 bpm Do not stop Believing from Travel to 160 Shake it by Taylor Swift.
* Darío Pescador is editor and director of the Quo Magazine and author of the book the best of yourself Published by Oberon.
