The Brain's Reaction to Music

Everyone feels the power of music. A song is able to change the mood of an entire day. There is always a song to compliment the exact mood or feeling one is looking for. Many people will agree that most songs have a specific message or mood. If music is the cause of mood changes, then what else could music do? Can music affect our brains in more ways than emotions?

The answer is yes. Music is more powerful than anyone will ever understand. Music is a medicine without a doubt. The best part is the lack of side effects. Our brains create a chemical called dopamine when we are pleasured. This happens mainly with food and sex. The same thing happens for music, but there is an addition. Ten to fifteen seconds before the climax, dopamine is released in a completely different area of the brain due to a buildup. Music might not be able to provide a lasting effect like drugs, but it can definitely give you the same feeling for a few seconds with the right song. This is a big help to people who have anxiety problems but don’t want to take medication.

Just when some would think that was all, there’s more. Music has been proven to help with some serious issues. A person with Alzheimer can remember the words to their favorite songs even when they can’t remember their grandchild’s name. It is said that learning to play an instrument can hinder dementia. Music can help people with motor disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, by giving them a beat to synchronize their movements. Music has shown some kind of positive activity in most illnesses dealing with the brain. It is even said that music can completely rewire the brain.

No one knows the extent of music’s affects on the brain. One day, I see music being a specific kind of medication. I believe that music will be made a certain way that caters to specific parts of the brain. With more studies on this phenomenon, I do believe music will be used to cure many mental illnesses.