The magical effects of music on our brain, mind and body

Music is a universal phenomenon that knows no geographical or cultural borders and whose creative diversity is practically infinite. What's more, possesses tremendous evocative ability.

Music, despite its relatively abstract and intangible character, it has the power to transform an ordinary moment or even an ordinary day into something magical. It can comfort us, provide relief, validate or intensify emotions, regulate our mood, reduce anxiety and stress, and even improve our verbal skills. It has even been shown to be an effective tool for rehabilitation in stroke patients, epilepsy, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and more.

But how is it possible that the musical experience so distinctively transcends other sensory experiences and has such a moving effect on most people?
Although there are interindividual differences in the degree of emotional intensity experienced, The appreciation of music would be linked on the one hand to the ability to process its latent structure and on the other hand, to the ability to foresee what is going to happen in the song. However, in order to give an emotional reaction, the latent structure of a song it must also contain a certain degree of surprise. A talented author-composer, for example, is distinguished by his ability to ingeniously manipulate the expectations of his audience, fulfilling them in some cases and failing to fulfill them in other cases. When you do this with subtlety is when you get goose bumps.

Daniel Levitin, an American neuroscientist and composer, explains that the fact that different parts of the brain are connected during the processing of music causes this phenomenon to be experienced as a synaesthetic experience. That is, there is a joint assimilation of several types of sensations from different senses at the same time. Something similar to what happens when we are babies. Indeed, it is not until a later age that we begin to distinguish between different senses. The extent of this connection varies between individuals and explains that some people feel music more passionately than others. Likewise, people who are more open to new experiences give music more importance.

And what happens at the brain level?

The rhythm is processed first in the cerebellum. Later, the music processing passes through the amygdala where it acquires the emotional component. And finally it reaches the frontal lobes, whose activation produces the sensation of reward or gratification. Apparently music involves subtle rhythm violations, but because we know from experience that music poses no threat, These violations are identified by the frontal lobes as a source of pleasure. Something like a little shot of adrenaline. On the other hand, the expectations we have place us in a state of anticipation, which, when fulfilled, acts as a reward.

More benefits ...

Likewise, music has the ability to invoke memories, images (which can be real, metaphors or manifestations of our unconscious), to project ourselves into the future, promote inspiration and even change physical sensations in our body. A tension in the neck can be relieved in a matter of minutes when we listen to a relaxing song. It can also benefit our breathing, and through it, induce us into a state of relaxation, which in turn, will improve our mood.

Music says a lot about us ...

Through our musical tastes we can learn a lot about our "emotional self". For some, music can become a means of expression, although we do not necessarily know how to sing or play an instrument. Music allows us to give voice to impulses of aggression, rebellion, or sexual desires for example that we might not dare to feel otherwise. Realizing the type of music that moves us the most inside can be a clue to understand repressed or underlying emotions.

Music is therapeutic:

Music is a effective strategy for managing our emotions. We can actively decide to listen to a certain type of music that we anticipate will trigger emotions that we want or need to feel at a particular moment. If we feel lazy and unmotivated, listening to energetic songs can help us restore our mood and energy. Also, listening to a song that reflects our state of mind is therapeutic since helps us to better connect with our emotions when we feel identified. Thus, for example, a sad song when we feel nostalgic or depressed is beneficial because in some way validates our internal experience. Music can also provide us with a sense of greater power.

And finally, listen just 15 seconds of music influences the way we interpret the facial expressions of others. A study carried out by Logeswaran et al. (2009) showed that listening to happy music made the participants perceive the expressions of others as more positive, while if the song had a melancholic tone, they were interpreted more negatively.

by Jasmine murga

Source:

http://www.spring.org.uk/2013/09/10-magical-effects-music-has-on-the-mind.php

http://psychcentral.com/lib/music-how-it-impacts-your-brain-emotions/00017356