The Power of Music

If you know me, you know I love music. All kinds of music. I don’t discriminate. I have playlists for when I am sad, for when I am angry, when I am happy, and for special events in my life. Music drives me and my life. I wake up in the morning to Riser by Dierks Bentley. Throughout the day, I listen to the radio and various playlists. I love how Billy Joel put it, “I think music in itself is healing, It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” Most of us would agree with Billy Joel, and this has led researchers to study the therapeutic nature of music. Aretha Franklin said, “Music does a lot of things for a lot of people…It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.” 

There is one song we relate to for whatever reason—it reminds us of a bad breakup, a good vacation, etc.–whenever we hear that song, it sparks an emotional response in us. “We have…a deep connection to music because it is ‘hardwired’ in our brains and bodies,” Barbara Else, senior advisor of policy and research at the American Music Therapy Association stated, “The elements of music – rhythm, melody, etc. – are echoed in our physiology, functioning and being.” Truly, music is part of us. As composer Jóhann Jóhannsson felt, “When music is needed, it’s really there, and it serves a purpose.” 

Music has been around for centuries—from the Ancient Romans to the Native Americans. Music doesn’t necessarily have to have words to touch us. Going to a Native American Pow Wow or using Singing Bowls as a part of meditation is an experience many people can enjoy. Music is universal. When I first moved to Greece, I heard the smooth voice of Mihalis Hatzigiannis, who still one of the best voices I have ever heard. Without knowing the words, the song Kryfa touched me. The song is melodic and hauntingly beautiful. When I learned the meaning of the words, the song meant much more. The truth is: I didn’t need the words to love the song. To this day, the song is one of my favorites in any language:  Μιχάλης Χατζηγιάννης – Κρυφά – Official Audio Release – YouTube 

Given the fact music is engrained in us, it is no surprise music has healing properties. A 2011 study at McGill University in Canada showed that music increases the dopamine in our brains—dopamine is mood-enhancing and can lessen depression. Another study, performed in 2015, reported listening to hip hop music, specifically Kendrick Lamar, may help us understand mental disorders.  

Music helps people regulate their emotions. Music is powerful—it can help people change their mood and process their feelings. Music is relaxing and stress-reducing. Music reduces anxiety. Music can help your nervous system recover faster after a stressful situation. One study showed a mix of classical and jazz music helped those suffering from depression. If you are suffering from depression, be cognizant of the music you listen to—nostalgic songs are not the way to go! 

But music impacts more than our mental health. Recent studies indicate music therapy should be incorporated into health care settings. Bob Marley once sang, “One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.”  A study performed at Brunel University in the U.K. showed music may reduce pain and anxiety for those who have had surgery. The effect was even stronger in the patients who chose the music they listened to. Study leader Dr. Catharine Meads said: “If music was a drug, it would be marketable. […] Music is a noninvasive, safe, cheap intervention that should be available to everyone undergoing surgery.” A 2014 Belgian study indicated music helps those with fibromyalgia move better, while reducing pain. While researchers don’t understand exactly why this happens, many researchers believe listening to music releases opioids, the brain’s natural pain relievers. 

Music is a natural stress reliever. When you are stressed, listening to your favorite music makes you feel better. Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I listen to I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston, or You Can’t Bring Me Down by Dierks Bentley. Those songs always bring a smile to my face. Medical News Today found infants remained calmer longer when they listened to music. Music was more effective in calming babies down than being spoken to—even when the parents used baby talk. The study suggested the repetitive patterns the music the infants listened to reduced distress, possibly promotes the idea of “entertainment”– the ability of the body’s internal rhythms to synchronize with external rhythms, pulses or beats. Another 2013 indicated listening to music helped reduce stress, pain, and anxiety for children in the hospital. Some researchers believe listening to music helps reduce the body’s cortisol levels—the body’s stress response. Relaxing music is the most likely to lower cortisol levels.  

Another mechanism by which music may alleviate stress is the effect it has on brainstem-mediated measures, according to researchers, such as pulse, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature; again, the effect is dependent on the type of music listened to. Dr. Levitin (a study leader) said, “Stimulating music produces increases in cardiovascular measures, whereas relaxing music produces decreases,” they explain. “[…] These effects are largely mediated by tempo: slow music and musical pauses are associated with a decrease in heart rate, respiration and blood pressure, and faster music with increases in these parameters.” This has led researchers to believe music may be helpful in treating heart conditions.  

Have you ever heard a song and been flooded with memories? Certain songs have the ability to remind us of certain periods or events in our lives – some that make us smile, and some we would rather forget. Researchers are focusing on how music impact memory and its recall. A Hungarian study found a listen-and-learn approach can facilitate a verbatim memory recall. Music may help people with cognitive disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s and early onset dementia. Music may help those with these cognitive issues with mood, well-being, episodic memory, and working memory. Music cannot reverse lost memories, but studies by the Mayo Clinic indicate listening to music helps slow cognitive decline. Music memory is one of the brain’s cognitive functions most resistant to dementia.  

Music energizes us. A 2015 study at a Shanghai University found music helps reduce fatigue. This same study suggested we maintain more muscle endurance when listening to music and doing repetitive tasks. Music helps boost our exercise. It’s no wonder there is always a song pumping through loudspeakers when you go to the gym, or there is background music on your exercise video. A 2020 research review confirms that working out with music improves your mood, helps your body exercise more efficiently, and cuts down on your awareness of exertion. Working out with music also leads to longer workouts. Music helps competition and motivation.  

Music changes our brains. Neurological researchers have found that listening to music triggers the release of several neurochemicals that play a role in brain function and mental health: 

• dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure and “reward” centers 
• stress hormones like cortisol 
• serotonin and other hormones related to immunity 
• oxytocin, a chemical that fosters the ability to connect to others 

Memory issues aren’t the only brain problems music may impact. Studies have shown music may help those suffering from brain traumas, such as stroke and epilepsy. Music appears to heal people resync their brains. As stated before, music relieves stress, and reduced stress can help the recurrence of these traumatic events in the brain. Based on numerous studies and evidence, there is an increasing interest in music therapy being integrated into health care settings. Some believe music therapy may offer alternative treatments for some disorders, such as tension headaches. (I don’t know about you, but I don’t like listening to music when I have a headache).  

Besides health benefits, music can impact our relationships. Music connects us. One of the most important functions of music is to create a feeling of cohesion or social connectedness. For years, music has been used as a form of communication. Here are some examples: 

• national anthems connect crowds at sporting events 
• protest songs stir a sense of shared purpose during marches 
• hymns build group identity in houses of worship 
• love songs help prospective partners bond during courtship 
• lullabies enable parents and infants to develop secure attachments 

Music helps us learn. That’s why so many children’s songs are used for/in learning settings. Music stimulates and engages the brain. Research notes the promise of listening to music makes you want to learn more. Use music as a reward when learning something new. Music also benefits us by helping us perform new tasks both quicker and more accurately.  

Music is powerful and intense. Music is so many things, which is why it’s so important in our lives. Music is essential. Louis Armstrong said, “Music is life itself.” So, live your best life, and make sure you dance through it to your favorite music. (This includes paying attention to the music around you, and enjoying the music you already love at a concert, at a party….you do you!)