Music: A Shorthand of Emotion

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After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music, said Aldous Huxley.

It is indeed one of the most universal ways of expression and communication for humankind and is present in the everyday lives of people of all ages and from all cultures around the world. Several types of research suggest that listening to music we hear in our youth helps us recall specific events, reminds us of people we have forgotten, and helps us revisit significant periods in our lives.

Why do we love music?

Who among us doesn’t have a similar story about a song that touched us? Whether attending a concert, listening to the radio, or singing in the shower, there’s something about music that can fill us with emotion, from joy to sadness.

Studies have shown that when we listen to music, our brains release dopamine, which in turn makes us happy. Typically, our brains release dopamine during behavior that's essential to survival (sex or eating).

In one study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers found that dopamine release is strongest when a piece of music reaches an emotional peak and the listener feels "chills"— the spine-tingling sensation of excitement and awe.

Many researchers think one of the most important functions of music is to create a feeling of cohesion or social connectedness. Evolutionary scientists say human beings may have developed a dependence on music as a communication tool because our ancestors descended from arboreal species — tree-dwellers who called to one another across the canopy.

Music remains a powerful way of uniting people, be it national anthems that connect crowds at sporting events or protest songs that stir a sense of shared purpose during marches music plays an important role in developing a secure attachment amongst all.

Music fools the brain into thinking its speech

When we hear a piece of music, its rhythm latches onto us in a process called entrainment. If the music is fast-paced, our heartbeats and breathing patterns will accelerate to match the beat. That arousal may then be interpreted by our brains as excitement. Research has found that the more pleasant sounding the music, the greater the level of entrainment.

Another hypothesis is that music latches onto the regions of the brain attuned to speech — which convey all of our emotions.

Music’s effects on the mind

Although we can’t be sure exactly when human beings began listening to music, scientists do know something about why we do. Listening to music benefits us individually and collectively.

So how exactly can the power of music help to improve our physical, mental, and emotional health?

  • It can lead to better learning
  • Music has a positive effect on our ability to memorize. 
  • Listening to music triggers the release of several neurochemicals that play a role in brain function and mental health
  • It helps people regulate their emotions. It has the power to change moods and help people process their feelings.
  • Listening to music can help calm you in situations where you might feel anxious.
  • Music helps the symptoms of depression
  • Music can make us want to move — and the benefits of dancing are well-documented.
  • Relaxing music helps reduce fatigue and maintain muscle endurance when we are engaged in a repetitive task.
  • Exercise enthusiasts have long known that music enhances their physical performance.
  • Music helps people manage both acute and chronic pain better than medication alone.

Image Courtesy- liveforlivemusic.com


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