Yahoo Lifestyle Your body on music
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The second you push play, lightning-fast soundwaves pass through your eardrums and jiggle the bones of your inner ears.
Those vibrations trigger nerve signals, which speed through your brain, setting off a series of reactions.
Mood
The amygdala, one of the brain’s emotional depots, quickly analyses chords and tones to determine whether the music appeals to you – and just how passionate your response will be. If you dig the beat, your nucleus accumbens, a major player in the brain’s reward system, releases feelgood neurotransmitter dopamine and can cause you to literally shiver with delight (much like hearing about a Zara sale).
Memories
Nerve cells that fire together wire together – so when you play a tune like Losing You by Solange, your brain may recall what you were doing (crying over your ex) and how you were feeling (depresso) when you heard it last. It’s a powerful connection, so next time you’re sad, cue up a jam from a happier time.
Brainpower
To understand and appreciate music’s complexity, you need to use your noggin. Specifically, your prefrontal cortex, the brain’s centre for executive thought. This may be why listening to music (like Mozart) is linked to better brain function.
Stress and heart rate
Hearing mellow music might help your body dial down the production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. (Over time, high levels can harm your health.) Calming tunes – like what you’d hear at a day spa – might also prompt a slowing of your heart rate and a deepening of your breathing. Ahhh.
Metabolism and immune system
Relaxing sounds can increase the production of growth hormone, which promotes a healthy metabolism. They can also help keep inflammation in check, crucial for a healthy immune system.
Pain perception
Music seems to have an in-the-moment crushing effect on pain and anxiety. So if you’re in the dentist’s chair, for example, power up Get Lucky and distract yourself with a daydream about Pharrell.
Tune ’n’ snooze Need help sleeping? A UK band worked with sound therapists to create “the most relaxing song ever”, called Weightless. The lengthy track was found to slow participants’ heart rates, reduce blood pressure and lower cortisol levels.
Dr David Lewis-Hodgson, from researchers Mindlab International, said many of the subjects became drowsy while listening. Warning: don’t play it in the car!
