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Music and Health

Overview

Classical music has a positive effect on aspects of human


life including mental health, physical health, and overall
longevity. There are instances in which classical music is a
part of one’s daily life like incorporating it into school
curriculums, attending concerts, and learning how to play an
instrument. No matter how one is involved with classical
music, the benefits can be seen all the way into elderly life,
where sleep, exercise, and brain health are all improved.
Although classical music provides many benefits in health,
other genres of music including pop and rock typically have
a negative impact that causes premature death, mental
disorders, and substance abuse. [1]
Lewis and Durk LD-5 Boston Model French
Horn, designed and assembled in Germany

Table of Contents
1. Music and Body Functioning
1.1 Neuroplasticity
1.2 Melatonin
2. Improved Health in Later Life
2.1 2.1 Diseases Lessened
2.2 Improved Functioning
2.3 Sleep and Exercise
3. Musical Variations
3.1 Error! Reference source not
found.
3.2 Composers
4.
[a] An MRI of the brain shown from the same rear view, depicting
the malleability of the brain during the learning process when it 5. References
undergoes neuroplasticity.
Music
6. Education
Picture References
4.1 Mental Disorders
[b] a black and white piano, an instrument with 88 keys that contains strings hammered as each key is struck

1. Music and Body Functioning

The internal biological clock of the body is known to sync up with other outside patterns and
rhythms. One of these systems involves the meter, rhythm, and tempo of music. The body
reacts to these sounds and feelings by mimicking the various differences in each piece of
music. For example, the body will synchronize breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, and brain
waves with the musical rhythm. [2]

Music has the ability to bring internal body functions to a healthy and sustainable rate so it can
remain healthy throughout our
lifetime. Not only can music
synchronize the systems in the body,
it can also calm brain waves as well as
heart rates when the tempo is slower.
[3]

1.1 Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity involves the erasing of


unused neural connections and the [c] The progression of neural networks before training, 2
strengthening of ones that are used more weeks after stimulation, and 2 months after stimulation
frequently. This occurrence of
neuroplasticity can be seen to a greater extent in brain scans of musical experts compared to
nonmusicians. The music expert group had the largest gray matter volumes in the brain which
show clear signs of neuroplasticity. These differences are caused by neuroplasticity
specifically during continuous musical training periods. [4]

Because of the diligent practice that comes with being a professional musician, neural
connections are often more apparent in MRIs and other similar imaging techniques in the
brains of active musicians. Additionally, any musical involvement, whether it be listening to
music or learning how to play an instrument, stimulates activity in the brain and therefore
increases neuroplasticity, leading to compensation of brain deterioration in later life. [5]

1.2 Melatonin

Melatonin is a key regulator of body


functions including sleep cycles. Melatonin
also slows down the aging process and
regulates the endocrine system and blood
pressure. Musicians have been found to have
elevated levels of melatonin compared to
those levels of nonmusicians. Melatonin is
also known to strengthen the immune
system and regulate the digestive tract. In [d] The chemical molecule of Melatonin
some cases, melatonin also alleviates certain
headaches, improves mental states, and causes weight regulation. Conclusively, professional
musicians have long-lasting cognitive ability and therefore longevity in their lifetime. [6]

2. Improved Health in Later Life

Music also has positive effects into elderly life. When a musical instrument is learned, the brain
functions at a very high level in order to continue this learned skill. Studies have found that
when an instrument is learned and then sustained throughout life, the brain deteriorates at a
slower rate into elderly life and is able to function at higher levels than the brains of
nonmusicians.

2.1 Diseases Lessened

Those involved in music compared to


non-music listeners are less likely to
have health problems and diseases that
are associated with elderly life. For
example, conditions including high
blood pressure, cancer, heart disease,
and psychiatric problems were less likely
to occur in musicians compared to
nonmusicians. [8]
[e] Patients who have hypertension heart problems and
the graphs showing their improved symptoms (lowered
2.1 Improved Functioning blood pressure) before and after listening to music

[10] Musicians or persons involved in music in their lifetime performed better on cognitive
tests later in their life than those with no musical experience whatsoever. These tests included
nonverbal memory recall, visuomotor speed, sequencing, and cognitive flexibility. On every
test, musicians outperformed their nonmusician counterparts. Furthermore, when levels of
education, exercise, and social involvement are the same among musicians and nonmusicians,
those involved in music outperform their counterpoints in brain capability in later life. It was
also found that the rate of cognitive decline is directly related to the intensity of musical
studies. Brain deterioration slows as musical study intensifies. [11]

2.2 Sleep and Exercise

When emotional well-being and cognitive function are above average due to music
involvement, other areas of life are improved because of those factors. Activities including
sleeping, walking, exercising, and performing cognitive activities trended higher in music
listeners compared to those who did not listen. This is because musical participation
encourages social involvement and exercise of the brain and body. Music is linked to physical
activity because overall it increases energy and therefore encourages exercise. [12]

3. Musical Variations

Music has an overall positive impact on health no matter the method of involvement. However,
certain variations in music including the composer, environment in which music is interacted
with, and the genre of music do vary the effectiveness on health throughout life. Studies have
also found that playing a musical instrument compared to only listening to music also effects
how great the impact is on health. [13]

3.1 Genres

Music is often generalized to have a


positive impact on health and overall
wellbeing. Research is seldom done on
whether the genre of that said music
causes any difference in the person
listening to or performing it. The genre of
music is one factor that causes major
differences in how a person responds to
or is affected by music. Studies were
done that compared classical music
listening to more popular genres of
music. In response to this, Kaufmann
states findings that “the rhythm and
tempo of music as “heavy metal” and
“techno” does contribute to the development of [f] A map depicting all the possible classical music
arrhythmias and cardiovascular disorders.” Other genres
correlations to rock music were made as well that
explained the presence of hypertension coronary heart disease as well as chronic gastritis. [14]
A more extensive study was done on rock musicians in particular and found that premature
death is 2-3 times higher among these famous musicians than other adults of similar age.
Because of the stressful and rather aggressive style of music they involve themselves in, as well
as the lifestyle of fame, they are more prone to drug and alcohol overdose due to the extreme
stress and anxiety encountered. These “popular” genres of music overall cause negative
occurrences in the health of those who play or are involved with it. More evidence was found
that the average death of classical musicians was 73 years but was 27 years in rock musicians.
Dymnikowa follows this by stating “Thus independent studies produced evidence that
professional musicians—performers of classical music—do live much longer than rock
musicians and even jazz musicians.” [15]

3.2 Composers

There are a variety of classical music composers that all have different effects on health and
body functioning. Mozart’s music, for example, is known to increase mental activity, decrease
epileptic form activity in patients with seizures and in a coma condition. These improved
symptoms were not observed during music by Haydn, Liszt, Chopin, Beethoven, and Wagner.
Mozart’s music is known to cause neuropsychological changes that can be seen in brain scans
of patients, explaining its ability to improve seizures and symptoms of patients in coma
conditions over his classical counterparts. Studies have proven that musical sounds with a
frequency from 5000 to 8000 Hz produce a therapeutic effect and increase mental alertness.
Additionally, Mozart’s music is full with sounds of high frequency that strengthen microscopic
muscles of the middle ear. This leads to an overall improvement of hearing and speech. This
provides evidence that Mozart’s music has a greater positive effect on health due to its
characteristics of high frequencies. [16]

4. Music Education

Incorporation of music into


education systems has many
significant outcomes in
adolescents including increased
self-confidence, development in
other areas of life, and better
learning and awareness skills.
When children are introduced to
music at a young age, their brain
displays larger mass in areas that
regard auditory, somatosensory,
motor and visual spatial brain
regions. There is also the presence [g] An open book of printed classical music
of a thicker corpus callosum in the
brain. Tangible evidence on the increased size of brain in children who are introduced to music
has been documented. It was also found that social skills and emotional expression were
increased and further developed in children who were involved in music compared to non-
involved children. Music encourages cohesiveness and working together as a team which
therefore increases a sense of belonging and confidence in oneself. [17]

4.1 Mental Disorders

Children and adolescents who have been introduced to music exhibit signs of increased
emotional understanding and self-confidence in their abilities. Because music encourages
social involvement and a sense of pride, mental health is typically stable and taken care of in
children who are musically involved. [18]

Low self-esteem is associated with many mental health problems. These can include mental
illnesses such as suicidal tendencies, depression, eating disorders, and anxiety. An association
can also be drawn to social problems like antisocial behavior, difficulty in sustaining and
forming close relationships, and violence and substance abuse. Therefore, when an adolescent
has increased self-esteem due to musical involvement and having a sense of purpose, these
mental disorders are decreased in the overall musically involved population. [19]

5. References

[1] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades


Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X.
[2] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades
Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X.
[3] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades
Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X.
[4] Satoh, et al. “Music in the Brain: From Listening to Playing.” Behavioural Neurology, Hindawi,
12 Oct. 2015, www.hindawi.com/journals/bn/2015/927274/.
[5] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades
Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X
[6] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades
Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X
[7] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades
Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X
[8] Kaufmann, Christopher, et al. “When I'm 64: A Review of Instrumental Music-Making and
Brain Health in Later Life.” Experimental Gerontology, Pergamon, 20 May 2019,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556519300233.
[9] Kaufmann, Christopher, et al. “When I'm 64: A Review of Instrumental Music-Making and
Brain Health in Later Life.” Experimental Gerontology, Pergamon, 20 May 2019,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556519300233.
[10] Kaufmann, Christopher, et al. “When I'm 64: A Review of Instrumental Music-Making and
Brain Health in Later Life.” Experimental Gerontology, Pergamon, 20 May 2019,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556519300233.
[11] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades
Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X
[12] Kaufmann, Christopher, et al. “When I'm 64: A Review of Instrumental Music-Making and
Brain Health in Later Life.” Experimental Gerontology, Pergamon, 20 May 2019,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556519300233
[13] Kaufmann, Christopher, et al. “When I'm 64: A Review of Instrumental Music-Making and
Brain Health in Later Life.” Experimental Gerontology, Pergamon, 20 May 2019,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556519300233
[14] Kaufmann, Christopher, et al. “When I'm 64: A Review of Instrumental Music-Making and
Brain Health in Later Life.” Experimental Gerontology, Pergamon, 20 May 2019,
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556519300233
[15] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades
Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X
[16] Dymnikowa, M. “Physiological Aspects of Music and Longevity.” SpringerLink, Pleiades
Publishing, 14 July 2016, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S207905701602003X
[17] Rickard, Nikki S., et al. “Orchestrating Life Skills: The Effect of Increased School-Based Music
Classes on Children's Social Competence and Self-Esteem, 2013.” SAGE Journals, 23 Apr. 2012,
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0255761411434824.
[18] Rickard, Nikki S., et al. “Orchestrating Life Skills: The Effect of Increased School-Based Music
Classes on Children's Social Competence and Self-Esteem, 2013.” SAGE Journals, 23 Apr. 2012,
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0255761411434824.
[19] Rickard, Nikki S., et al. “Orchestrating Life Skills: The Effect of Increased School-Based Music
Classes on Children's Social Competence and Self-Esteem, 2013.” SAGE Journals, 23 Apr. 2012,
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0255761411434824.

6. Picture References

[a] Banks, Duncan. “What Is Brain Plasticity and Why Is It so Important?” The Conversation, 14
May 2019, theconversation.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-and-why-is-it-so-important-55967.
[b] Knop, Stas. “White and Black Piano Keys · Free Stock Photo.” Free Stock Photos,
www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-close-up-instrument-keyboard-1153896/.
[c] “CogniFit.” Brain and Neuroplasticity, Neurogenesis, and Cognition Exercises with CogniFit,
10 Dec. 2015, www.cognifit.com/brain-plasticity-and-cognition.
[d] Melatonin.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Oct. 2019,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin#/media/File:Melatonin.svg.
[e] Martiniano, Eli Carlos, et al. “Musical Auditory Stimulus Acutely Influences Heart Rate
Dynamic Responses to Medication in Subjects with Well-Controlled Hypertension.” Nature
News, Nature Publishing Group, 17 Jan. 2018, www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-19418-7.
[f] “Genealogy of Musical Genres.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Nov. 2017,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genealogy_of_musical_genres.

[g] Pixabay. “Printed Musical Note Page · Free Stock Photo.” Free Stock Photos,
www.pexels.com/photo/printed-musical-note-page-164821/.

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