Sober Synthesis

Music has the power to heal, transform and inspire and we have the power through deep listening to increase our intuition and self-awareness. – Andre Feriante

Topic: Music Magic

• Music, singing, and dance likely evolved prior to spoken language
  • Music evokes activation of premotor and motor circuitry in the brain and body.
    • Music activates both neurochemicals and hormones.
• Activated neurons match the frequency of the music; your body itself becomes an instrument, triggering motions and emotions.
• Music can change our mood regardless of lyrics.
  • Happy music makes us happy, sad music makes us sad, etc. – music helps us process emotions-especially true for sadness/grief.
  • Sad songs can counter the sense of suffering alone by enhancing a sense of social connectedness or bonding. Research has shown that one of the strongest emotions elicited by sad songs is nostalgia.
  • Music can reduce anxiety: study participants experienced a 65% reduction in anxiety after listening to Marconi Union – Weightless for 3 minutes
    • This reduction in anxiety was as effective as benzodiazepine.
• Studies show a statistically significant shift in the brains and bodies of people who deliberately listen to music for 10-30 minutes 
  • Can reduce resting heart rate, increase heart rate variability, and activate features of the parasympathetic nervous system – the benefits are sustained even after you stop listening to music
  • It’s likely that physiologic changes are the result of subconscious changes in our breathing

Research Validated Music Benefit Guidelines:

• Listen to your favorite music 10-30 minutes a day for overall physical and mental health.
• Listen to faster paced/happy music (140-150 bpm) for a minimum of 9 minutes to promote a mood change (irritated, bored) into a more improved mood state.
• Listen to fast beat music (140-150 bpm) for 10-15 minutes to increase motivation to exercise or do focused cognitive work. 
• Minimize listening to favorite music while performing focused cognitive work/learning. Rather, listen to music during breaks in cognitive work/learning to optimize positive effects of music. 
  • White noise or soft instrumental music is best for focused cognitive work.
• Listen to sad music, generally a slower beat (50-80 bpm) and in a minor key, for 13 minutes or more to help process sadness/grief. 
• Listening to novel music enhances neural circuitry and neuroplasticity for learning.

Proposed question for thought or sharing:

1. How do you or will you start to music to enhance your overall health/wellness and your recovery?

Disclaimer

This summary is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed.