The Impact of Music on the Brain

When it’s time for me to get in the “zone” to write, you’ll find me sitting at my desk with headphones in. Typically, the music I listen to when I write has little to zero lyrics in it. The harmony of the beats and the instruments puts me in a mindset for creativity. After a little while, regardless of who’s around or what’s going on, I’ll catch myself bobbing my head and dancing a little. This got me wondering, what’s going on in my brain that’s got me dancing, nearly subconsciously?

Music has a biological impact on our brains. How neat is that?

Here are a few things I discovered while researching the impact of music on the brain that I found interesting.

  1. Music impacts people of significantly diverse living conditions in a similar manner. This study was conducted by two universities in Canada, which tested the influence of the same songs on a group from the city and a group from the rainforest. After listening, the two groups selected from a range of emotions how they felt. Both reported similar emotions—excitement and calmness.
  2. Based on neuroscience, musicians tend to have healthier brains. A study done by the University of Kansas showed that those with musical experience scored higher on tests involving cognitive skills, adapting to new information, and visuospatial memory, which helps the brain to imagine and analyze objects. The brains of musicians are special in general, based on many different studies.
  3. Another study showed that listening to music was more beneficial to easing anxiety than prescription drugs in patients undergoing surgery.
  4. Cortisol, which is a stress hormone in the brain, is reduced with the help of music.
  5. Not only does listening to music lower the levels of stress hormones in the brain, it also increases levels of dopamine, which leaves you feeling euphoric.

 

Next time you are feeling stressed or down, science says throw on some tunes and release those negative emotions.


Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Want to learn more about our blog writer?

Read more about KayLynn's background.

Click Here

Search All Blogs

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt

Beyond the Grave: Burial Insurance vs. Life Insurance Explained

Don’t Be Buried by Confusion: Understanding Burial and Life Insurance

Cracking the Code: Your Car’s VIN and What It Means to You

VIN Decoder Ring: Unveiling the Mysteries of Your Car’s Identification Number

The Aftermath: Proving Your Possessions After a Disaster

Homeowner’s Insurance Hero: How to Prepare for a Claim Before Disaster Strikes

Lost in Translation: Skills of the Past That Young People Might Miss Out On

From Fax Machines to Fancy Footwork: 6 Skills Younger Generations Might Not Have

Beyond the Box Truck: When Does Your Business Need Special Vehicle Insurance?

Business on the Move? Don’t Get Stuck Without the Right Vehicle Insurance

From Bronze Age to Boomers: How Life Expectancy Went From Meh to Magnificent

How Long Will You Live? A Look at Life Expectancy Throughout History (and Why You Might Need Life Insurance)

From Chauffeur to Cheerleader: The Teen Driver’s (and Parent’s!) Guide to Car-Buying Chaos

Teen Driver on the Horizon? This Guide Will Steer You Through Car-Buying Chaos

When Branches Become Brawls: Who Pays When a Tree Attacks Your House?

Neighborly Nightmare: Tree Trouble and Your Homeowner’s Insurance

From Pet Rocks to Pokémania: A Funtastic Journey Through 50 Years of Fads

A Look Back, and a Look Forward

Don’t Be a Sitting Duck: Essential Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses

Don’t Leave Your Data Unlocked: Cybersecurity isn’t just about online threats.