This article will discuss the influence of music on mood, stress, cognition, and memory. Music can improve a wide range of mental and physical health conditions. Read on to learn more. Music has long been associated with positive effects on the human brain, and there are now a number of different types of music. Music can even improve your health by reducing the likelihood of chronic disease. It can even reduce the chances of depression.
Effects of music on mood
Music has the potential to affect our moods and arousals. We are familiar with the energizing or relaxing effects of various songs, or we may listen to music in an effort to relax. When choosing songs, we consider the musical components and the feelings the songs evoke. Our selection of music may vary from day to day and from person to person. Here are some examples of how music can affect our moods.
The distinctions between IL and EL (internal and external loci) have a variety of implications. One of these concerns is whether music affects our moods or merely our perception of them. Fortunately, this question is still largely unanswered. The research suggests that music can influence our mood in many ways. Music can cause a range of physiological reactions, ranging from a slight lift in blood pressure to a profound increase in energy levels.
Psychologists at the BNM Institute of Technology in Bangalore, India, developed algorithms to analyze music to help determine what kinds of musical features are important in a particular song. They used a fast Fourier transform to compare the amounts of different audio features for different moods. Table 2 below shows the average amounts of these audio features for each mood. Bhar et al. (2014).
Influence of music on overcoming stress
The meta-analytic review of the literature provides high-level evidence for the efficacy of music interventions in the treatment of stress. Music interventions can be low-cost, and the effects are not accompanied by any negative side effects. Although moderate tranquilizing effects of music are significant for people with stress-related problems, more research is needed to develop more rigorous protocols and understand the moderating factors. Listed below are the most important findings of this review.
One meta-analysis of music interventions found a medium to small effect on the outcomes of psychological and physiological stress. The study used 61 independent studies, with a sample size of 3.188. In the experimental group, there were 1.564 participants, and 1.624 controls. A recent review of the literature found a moderate to large effect. However, it does not mean that music has magical properties that cure mental health conditions.
Research has also shown that music therapy can be beneficial for mental health treatments. In fact, an overview of 349 studies showed that music interventions reduced emotional exhaustion and increased positive feelings. Additionally, music therapy can also reduce burnout among operating room staff. The 6-week study found that music listening sessions reduced stress and emotional exhaustion in operating room staff. It’s worth pursuing these studies further. The findings suggest that music is a viable alternative treatment for patients with anxiety and depression.
Effects of music on memory
Music is an excellent form of therapy for people with dementia. It can improve communication and strengthen caregiver-patient relationships. The word dementia itself means a loss of memory. Alzheimer’s disease is a leading cause of this condition. Researchers have concluded that music can improve mental health. Music may even help with the symptoms of dementia. But further research is needed to determine exactly how music affects the condition. A caregiver may wish to play their loved one’s favorite music in the home to help them better cope.
Physiologically, the brains of musicians and non-musicians are physically and psychologically similar. Musicians’ corpus callosum and nucleus accumbens are larger than those of non-musicians. Musicians’ practice also has psychological effects, as it releases dopamine. A recent study conducted by Gottfried Schlaug and colleagues examined a section of the cerebellum in musicians and non-musicians, matched for age and gender. They found that musicians had a significantly larger corpus callosum than non-musicians, and this difference was largely due to the subgroup of non-musicians who started playing instruments before age seven.
Although music does not directly affect memory, it does influence cognition and mood. Music affects different areas of the brain, and different types of sounds evoke distinct reactions in people. Therefore, researchers have focused on the psychology of music to learn more about the brain’s response to music. Ultimately, the study of music and mental health is a vital part of mental health and wellness. Therefore, music is an important tool for healthcare providers.
Effects of music on cognition
A study in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study tracks more than 10,000 people throughout adolescence, including twins. The study includes extensive measures of mental health and personality, as well as neuroimaging and genotyping. One notable flaw of the study is that it lacks measures of music engagement, but it is possible to include key musical phenotypes in existing study protocols. Moreover, the inclusion of musical questionnaires may increase the motivation and engagement of research volunteers.
Various studies have shown that music engagement can increase positive outcomes in mental health. Studies have linked music engagement to a wider range of wellness indicators, including depression and anxiety symptoms. The findings suggest that music engagement can enhance social context, and increase predictability and structure in individuals’ lives. Several interventions have successfully used music to treat patients with mental illness. However, it is important to note that music engagement may not be beneficial in every instance.
Influence of music on behavior
A growing body of research shows associations between music engagement and well-being. Participation in musical activities is associated with higher feelings of well-being and increased emotional competence. In a study of over 8000 Swedish twins, self-reported music achievement and hours of music practice were associated with higher emotional coping. In a meta-ethnography of 46 qualitative studies, participants reported that music activities supported well-being by supporting self-development and social connections.
Studies have shown that listening to music can help with memory. Music has been shown to improve people’s ability to remember details, change their moods, and process their emotions. People suffering from anxiety can feel more relaxed and calmer after listening to music. It has also been shown to boost the immune system. Studies have shown that music can increase levels of dopamine, a brain chemical related to pleasure. Music also increases the production of oxytocin, or the “love hormone”.
The study also suggests that the effect of music on attention-seeking behaviors may increase. Specifically, the study suggests an association between listening to hip-hop music with nihilistic and violent lyrics. However, it is not clear whether this effect is causal, and the effect of social media may increase the effects of drill music.
Although these studies have not shown a direct comparison between music and traditional behavioral therapies, they have shown that music interventions can enhance coping mechanisms. For instance, music interventions can strengthen traditional therapy by adding structure, reinforcement, predictability, and social context. However, further research is necessary to confirm whether music is effective. And, for now, it is important to emphasize that the effects of music on behavior are not only beneficial to patients, but also to the society.
