The positive effects of classical music on the brain

As I mentioned a couple of minutes earlier on a previous blog post, here is an interesting article about the immortal classical music, enjoy.

It is well known that music has an amazing anti-stress role in everyday life generating health
benefits for the mind and body. Listening to music can reduce anxiety, lower the blood pressure,
induce relaxation, even increase the libido. Some have asserted that music, in particular classical
music can improve the cognitive function.
“Although brain imaging studies have demonstrated that listening to music alters human
brain structure and function, the molecular mechanisms mediating those effects remain unknown,”
researchers wrote. “With the advent of genomics and bioinformatics approaches, these effects of
music can now be studied in a more detailed fashion.”

The Mozart effect

Dr. Gordon Shaw used a group of students to determine the effects of classical music on the
brain after they listened to Mozart. The groups who listened to other type or no music at all
experienced no change. After this experiment he stated that listening to classical music does not
make you smarter but it helps to warm up the part of the brain involved in abstract thought.
Calming effects
Dr. Kevin Labar from Duke University says that listening to clssical music does not increase
our IQ but can improve our intellectual performance. It can produce a calming effect releasing
dopamine and inhibiting the release of stress hormones. However these arguments might not be
valid for people who do not like classical music. There are many other activities suited for stress
release and the relaxation of the brain.

Ten benefits of listening to classical music

1. Boosts memory- listening to Mozart’s music has shown an increase in brain wave activity
   that’s linked directly to memory.
2. Improves creativity- this does not mean listening to classical music will make you
   instantly creative but it will help you establish a creative mindset.
3. Decreases blood pressure- an Oxford University study showed that listening to classical
   music can reduce the blood pressure.
4. Fights depression- the dopamine (hormone generating pleasure) is released when we
   listen to classical music. This makes music a great weapon against depression.
5. Helps falling asleep- only 45 minutes of classical music can improve sleep quality
6. Relieves pain- patients listening to classical music needed less pain relieving medication.
7. Supercharges brainpower- using classical music as a background while studying can boost
   your brain activity.
8. Changes the mood- the secretion of dopamine activates the pleasure center in the brain
   helping people becoming more happy or changing their mood.
9. Improves productivity- we use to make many repetitve tasks. Classical music makes these
   activities more enjoyable.
10. Reduces stress levels- the tempo in calssical music is similar to the heartbeat, which
    eases both anxiety and stress. Also a study showed that women who listened to classical
    music during their pregnancy were less stressed.

Even though classical music cannot raise the IQ level, there are many benefits that make
this activity so enjoyable. If you have to prepare yourself for a big presentation or you just
need a good night’s sleep, listening to some Mozart or Beethoven once in a while can make
your daily routine more pleasant.