There is no denying that music is used in many ways outside the contexts of orchestras and recording studios. You find it in everything. From fine dining establishments and workout sessions, to blockbuster movies, popular video games and major shopping centers.
However, just how aware are you that it plays such a crucial role in these things?
At first, most people tend to take music for granted in these contexts. But as you get more into them (like when you soak in a restaurant’s atmosphere, or really get into the workout). You can’t deny that music is playing quite a memorable role in your experience.
Why is music so effective in setting a mood or motivating us when performing specific activities?
The answer is really in the brain.
Reason #1: Music triggers brain areas linked with movement, emotion and language.
If there is one thing that could differentiate music from noise, it is the fact that it engages multiple areas of the brain.
More specifically, these are areas involved in our ability to process speech, coordinate our body and also regulate our emotions. These include our temporal lobe, the amygdala and the hippocampus just to name a few.
And no matter how differently we may actually be reacting to individual pieces of music. The fact is that all these areas are being activated. That is why research on the use of it to improve brain health continues to be such an important study!
Reason #2: Music leaves its mark via neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity describes the brain’s ability to alter its structure. In order to retain patterns for behaviour, learning and memory among other important functions for long-term use.
Surprisingly, this is very relevant when it comes to the way we remember music. As children, our brains have higher neuroplasticity. So when we hear a particularly memorable and emotional song in our childhood. The entire experience leaves its mark on our brains!
This further explains why we all have such varying musical tastes and have different reactions to music that gives us feelings of nostalgia. We are far more emotionally connected to songs we’ve loved. And listened to growing up because our brain physically preserves those memories for us!
Reason #3: Music enhances dopamine-releasing experiences.
Dopamine is more or less the reason why music is often used as a mood setter in many activities. Research on why music is often tied to and remembered in pleasurable experiences is because dopamine stimulates anticipation and motivates participation.
That much is true in video games as it is true in high-class restaurants. As our brains process the melodies along with other stimuli. The end result is that we’re driven to act, enjoy ourselves and be in the moment.
It is because of this effect that music is also used in more therapeutic and clinical programs that engage the brain to better process stimuli (such as sound) as well as help the body exercise. Music does its own very big part in encouraging listeners to anticipate and act for rewards.
On a final note, perhaps one of the reasons why people often take music’s influence for granted is that there is a subjective element to their experience. People have diverse tastes in music, which does lead to these differences.
Still, research has certainly come a long way taking this into account and continues to confirm bigger truths about how our brains are still affected by the melodies that we hear!
If you need any advice or support, then know that we at the Australian Tomatis Method are still here to help you. Please reach out if you need to, either by email at info@tomatis.com.au or by phone to Francoise at 0414 444 915.
