Effects of Music on the Brain: Explained

• Written by Yashita Sinha

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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Ever had a frustrating day and felt better after listening to your favourite song? Or listened to a long-lost melody and felt at ease after a long and tiring day? This is the effect music has on your brain.  

A study by distinguished researchers Michael Trimble and Dale Hesdorffer revealed that music goes far beyond entertainment —it actively strengthens the brain pathways involved in emotion, cognition, and healing.

In this blog piece, we’ll know about the effects of music on the brain, how it influences your mood, mind and even boosts mental health. So, without further ado, let’s explore what actually happens inside your brain when the music starts playing.

The Science Behind Music and the Brain

You must have heard people saying that music is the best medicine for the brain, other than laughter. When you listen to your music, it doesn't just stay there- it travels across different parts of the brain. 

The limbic system, which contains the hippocampus (linked to memory) and the amygdala (responsible for emotions), is the first to respond. This explains why a particular song can bring back memories even after years. 

Another part of the brain that music impacts is the cerebral cortex, the outermost layer of the brain that is responsible for higher-level thinking, decision-making, and sensory processing. It comprises the auditory cortex, which processes the basic elements of sound, including pitch, tempo, and rhythm. Whereas other areas help interpret lyrics and stimulate creativity. 

How Does Music Affect the Mind? (Psychological Impact) 

Music has a calming effect on the mind. It doesn't just activate the brain but also shapes how we think, feel and act. The melodies, lyrics and rhythm we hear generate psychological responses that instantly influence your state of mind. 

Whenever you hear a good song, your brain releases feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, that help relieve stress and anxiety. Not only this, but listening to music is also linked to improved concentration, enhanced memory, and increased task endurance. 

So the next time you don’t feel like completing their pending task, you know what to do. 

Can Music Hurt Your Brain? 

So far, we have learned about the positive impact of music on the brain, but did you know that it can also hurt the brain? Let’s understand this in detail for better clarity: 

Rumination 

Have you ever observed that if you tune to a playlist of sad songs during emotional and mental discomfort, you end up feeling worse? That’s because certain types of music can trap you in a cycle of negative thinking, known as rumination. Instead of making you feel better, the songs deepen the feelings of sadness, making it harder for your mind to escape the emotional loop. 

Distraction and Cognitive Load 

Although listening to music is known to improve focus, prolonged listening can be distracting. It consumes the limited working memory resources of the brain, forcing it to process sounds while also attending to other tasks. This further affects the brain’s ability to focus and process complex information. 

Reading Difficulties 

Listening to music while reading can divide your attention, making it difficult to focus on the given text. Lyrical songs compete with the brain’s language centres, reducing understanding. On the other hand, instrumental songs overload the working memory, leading to slower understanding and difficulty remembering what you’ve read. 

Music and the Mind: The Takeaway 

Listening to music can be rewarding on some levels on your tiring days or the days when you don’t feel like doing anything. However, it has its downsides too. Prolonged listening can be distracting and lead to reading difficulties. 

Also, listening to sad songs when you’re already feeling low can put you in a negative cycle of rumination, which affects your mental well-being over time. Also, listening to music at a higher volume can lead to hearing loss. 

This is where taking care of your overall health becomes a priority.Health Insurance offers Care OPD as an additional benefit, providing you with access to consultations from four general physicians and four specialists, including an ENT specialist. Whether it's an ear strain from prolonged music listening or general ear-related concerns, this would ensure timely medical guidance whenever you need it. 

Ultimately, the key lies in mindful listening - choosing the right music at the right time can prove beneficial for your brain and overall well-being. 

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential when purchasing health insurance. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to confirm the details of your health concerns.