Music is woven into everyday life. For a lot of people, listening to music brings a sense of calm and happiness. This has prompted researchers to study how music relates to human brain function. Numerous studies suggest that music can deliver positive stimulation to the brain. How does this happen?

Benefits of Listening to Music for the Brain

Listening to music is not only entertaining but can also be beneficial for your health. According to Hopkins Medicine, listening to music can be compared to exercise for the brain. If you want to keep your brain healthy as you age, experts encourage both listening to and playing music. The benefits include:

1. Helps Improve Memory

WebMD notes that activities tied to music, such as listening to music or playing an instrument, can boost memory. Even simple tasks like reading notation or practicing piano keys may enhance your capacity to remember.

Playing in a group, such as an orchestra or marching band, is also associated with stronger information processing skills, which can support learning over the long term.

2. Trains You to Be Smarter

Verywell Mind reports a study showing that listening to music while studying can improve cognitive performance in adults. If you need a simple boost for your mood while you are working, try playing music that fits your preferences.

Music may influence children as well. Kids who learn instruments from an early age often show higher science achievement as adults. They also tend to have better verbal memory compared to their peers who do not play instruments.

3. Relieves Stress and Depression and Improves Happiness

Music has long been associated to lower stress level. In one study, participants were divided into three groups before they are given stressful tasks and then underwent a psychosocial stress test. Those who listened to music during the stressful period recovered more quickly than the group that did not have any audio stimulation.

Similar to listening to music, singing can also lower cortisol levels and release endorphins, giving you feelings of satisfaction. Singing also helps release oxytocin, the feel-good hormone, which may lift your mood.

A study from Poland found that combining cognitive behavioral therapy with music therapy was more effective for depression than cognitive behavioral therapy alone. Additional research suggests that music therapy can help reduce severe conditions such as postpartum depression.

4. Reduces Pain

Several studies indicate that music can assist with pain management. In patients with fibromyalgia, listening to music for an hour each day was linked to reduced pain and depression compared with another group.

Another study found that people who listened to music before, during, and after surgery reported less pain and anxiety than those who did not listen to music.

5. Increases creativity

Hearing new music, especially upbeat music, can encourage the brain to stay active and boost creativity. Medical News Today reports that listening to music may support creative thinking, particularly in processing information and generating new ideas.

Listening to music benefits brain and mental health. However, avoid listening for long periods at high volumes. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can cause permanent hearing loss.

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