How does Music Affect the Brain?

We listen to music every day, whether we’re walking, traveling, or studying. Research shows that music has a healing effect on our brain. However, various types of music affect the brain in different ways. The very first effect of music is that it makes a person feel happy by increasing the production of dopamine. Apart from happiness, research shows that music can boost immunity through the production of antibodies and cells that protect the body against bacteria and viruses. In addition, music is effective in treating premature birth problems, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. As a result of music, one may improve auditory skills, memory, and learning.

A 2014 study showed that music helps patients with fibromyalgia by “reducing pain and increasing functional mobility significantly.” Another study showed that music “Boosts Brain Activity in Alzheimer’s Patients.” However, with all of these benefits music can have a negative impact as well. A UK study found that drill music, which is a genre of rap music, can increase aggressive thoughts and even can lead to crime. A 2011 study showed that people who listened to happy music felt happier while people who listened to sad music felt sad. Thus, one should be very careful with the type of music they listen to.

How do different parts of the brain respond to music?

Fig 1: Shows the different parts and functions of the brain

Frontal Lobe: It is used for thinking and decision making, and listening to music enhances the functions of the frontal lobe.

Temporal Lobe: This part of the brain is responsible for hearing, memory, meaning, and languages. The temporal lobe gives the image and map of what we hear and listening to too much music might take one to an imaginative world.

Broca’s Area: This area is responsible for producing speech and expressing music. Listening to music can improve one’s communication skills.

Wernicke’s Area: This is used to comprehend written and spoken language. Wernicke’s area is where one analyzes, interprets, and enjoys music.

Occipital lobe: Professional musicians use the occipital lobe to visualize a song while ordinary people use the temporal lobe to visualize and imagine the lyrics.

Cerebellum: The cerebellum involves regulating motor and physical movements such as balance, posture, coordination, and muscular activity. This helps a person to remember how to play an instrument.

Nucleus accumbens: This part plays a significant role in addiction, seeking pleasure and reward by releasing the neurotransmitter of dopamine. Similar to cocaine, listening to music increases the production of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and too much production of dopamine can lead to obesity, addiction, and schizophrenia. Thus, one should be very cautious with the type and amount of music they listen to that could affect this area of the brain.

Amygdala: It triggers and processes strong emotions such as anger and fear and listening to violent music may lead a person to become violent.

Hippocampus: It is the center of learning, long-term memory, navigation, and spatial processing. Listening to music leads to the production of new neurons which may improve memory.

Hypothalamus: The function of the hypothalamus is to regulate sleep, thirst, mood, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Music can cause a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.

Putamen: Listening to music can cause an increase in the production of dopamine in the putamen.

It can clearly be seen that music can affect different parts of the brain. However, one must take into consideration that different types of music have different effects on our brains. This article only discussed the general effect of music on our brain. Thus, we must be very careful about what type of music we listen to.

Written By: Farkhunda A.

Edited By: Happy J.

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Works cited:

Avramova, Nina. “How Music Can Change the Way You Feel and Act.” CNN, Cable News Network, 20 Feb. 2019, edition.cnn.com/2019/02/08/health/music-brain-behavior-intl/index.html.

“Music and the Brain: What Happens When You're Listening to Music.” Pegasus Magazine, www.ucf.edu/pegasus/your-brain-on-music/.

“How Does Music Affect Your Brain?” The University of Arizona Global Campus, 7 June 2017, www.uagc.edu/blog/how-does-music-affect-your-brain.

“The Powerful Effect of Music On the Brain.” The Powerful Effect of Music on the Brain, 1 Feb. 2018, www.thetabernaclechoir.org/articles/the-powerful-effect-of-music-on-the-brain.html.

Garza-Villarreal, Eduardo A., et al. “Music Reduces Pain and Increases Functional Mobility in Fibromyalgia.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 5, 2014, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00090.

Jolij, Jacob, and Maaike Meurs. “Music Alters Visual Perception.” PLoS ONE, vol. 6, no. 4, 2011, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0018861.