Almost all of us had a common habit of falling asleep by listening to the song of our parents in childhood. Have you ever thought, how do newborn babies respond to music or tune when their brain is not well-formed or they don’t have any knowledge of this world? Isn’t it astonishing? Yeah, That’s the magic of music. Music holds great power over our minds. There’s a famous quote that says, “Where words fail, Music speak.” Just think about it; you listen to music when you are sad, happy or even when you want to silent in your bad mood. You cannot ignore the influence of music on human nerves. Listening to music is almost therapeutic. In medical science, a kind of healing technique called ‘Music Therapy’ has come out. Though it is not a new concept.
At the beginning of civilization, India, Egypt, Greece, China and Rome tried to cure diseases through melody. In ancient Greece, it was used to reduce anxiety and restlessness in case of insomnia and pain. Experiments have shown that the primary function of music creates a response in the brain. Dopamine hormone is released when we listen to music and this results in biochemical stimulation of the brain. Music Therapy helps in:
- Reducing Depression: For an individual who has depression or difficulties, the therapist uses a pre-composed piece of music that’s familiar to the individuals and start to sing the song and encourages that individual to sing along. That time the healthy area of their brain can access that memory and bring memories forward. So, often when people think about music therapy, they think about their good experience with music. It helps them to reduce depression over the course of time.
- Increasing Attention: The Alpha and Theta waves build positive ability in the brain. The rhythm and beat of the music help to organize people’s thoughts. It creates the tendency to think sensitively about something. Listening to songs regularly strengthens human synapses. This increases the ability to retain long-term memory. Music also has a role to play in retaining new memories
- Reducing Fatigue: Different levels of sound waves affect the brain differently. Beta waves stimulate the brain which helps to reduce fatigue of daily work. We can also feel it from our real-life experiences like listening to music while having a long journey makes us fresher and even reduces vomiting tendency for some people.
- Relieving Pain: Studies have shown that listening to music for 25 minutes daily relieves back and spinal pain. There have been separate studies around the world that found that those who listen to soft music among the injured patients feel less pain than those who don’t listen to music. During World War-1, physicians succeeded in reducing the pain of the wounded soldiers by using soft music.
- Making Healthier Heart: Rhythm has an effect on heart rate. It has been found in studies that, long-term bedridden patients have lower blood pressure and heart rate if they listen to soft music at least 30 minutes a day. Listening to slow music for 20 minutes every day after a heart attack reduces anxiety. The risk of blood vessel blockage is reduced. Nowadays, with music therapy, it is possible to bring the patient’s pulse rate, heart rate and blood pressure back to a normal rhythm.
- In Pregnancy: If a pregnant woman listens to music regularly, the development of the baby’s brain is better. It’s also helpful to the mental health of the mother.
However, Music Therapy is not the ultimate treatment. It is actually a method of helping the original treatment. It is especially effective in the case of a sensitive, emotional person. It’s a helpful way to heal.
For more blogs click here
Blog Submitted by:
Ritu Ghosh
Intern (Admin & HR)
Youth School for Social Entrepreneurs (YSSE)
