Music Moves Us More Deeply Than Any Other Sensation, Says Study

Who doesn’t love listening to music? After a hectic day at work, we often find refuge in some soothing and calming music. Now, what if we tell you that our brain has a unique and interesting way of reacting to music? The way our brain responds to rhythm and sound is special, and this study proves it yet again. If you are interested to learn more, then read on.

Study Shows How Brain Reacts to Music

A new study, titled Behavior-relevant periodized neural representation of acoustic but not tactile rhythm in humans, has been published in the Journal of Neuroscience (JNeurosci). The study states that sound has an exceptional way of engaging our brain’s internal beat machine — even touch can’t match it.

Researchers from Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) revealed that when people hear rhythm through sound, their brains create slow, steady waves that align with the musical beat. But when the same rhythm is conveyed through touch, like gentle vibrations, such beat-like brain waves are not formed.

How Music Aids Our Mental Wellbeing 

For decades, music has been studied as a support for mental health — with applications ranging from general mood elevation and stress reduction. Research suggests that engagement with music not only shapes our personal and cultural identities, but also has a role in mood regulation. Music can also aid in addressing serious mental health and substance use disorders.

Music Therapy and Its Benefits

Music is a powerful tool for calming and healing. Music therapy is the use of music or elements of music (like sound, rhythm and harmony) to reduce stress or improve one’s quality of life. A professional, also known as music therapist, helps us learn more about our needs, music preferences and experiences. Then they design each session specifically.

Music as therapy can be used in many contexts, including for people in hospitals. But it is not the same as listening to music to help you relax. Clinical musical therapy involves a qualified music therapist, who must plan and lead a session within their therapeutic relationship for it to qualify as this form of treatment.

Also Read: https://www.onlymyhealth.com/a-song-stuck-in-your-head-know-the-science-behind-earworms-12977834962

Research shows that music therapy may have the following benefits:

• Help you relax.
• Help you explore your emotions.
• Reduce anxiety or depression.
• Ease your stress levels.
• Regulate your mood.
• Strengthen your communication skills.
• Improve speaking and language skills.
• Build social skills.
• Strengthen your self-confidence.
• Help you form healthy coping skills.
• Develop your problem-solving skills.
• Reduce perceived levels of pain.
• Improve your physical coordination, motor functions and movement.
• Improve your quality of life.

The Final Word

The new study has revealed that when people hear rhythm through sound, their brains create slow, steady waves that align with the musical beat. But when the same rhythm is conveyed through touch, like gentle vibrations, such beat-like brain waves are not formed.