Effect of Music on brain-

Music has been scientifically proven to have a powerful effect on the brain. Recent research shows that
music can help in many aspects of the brain, including pain reduction, stress relief, memory, and brain
injuries.

Pain Reduction- A 2014 study found that music was helpful for patients with fibromyalgia. The study
showed that listening to relaxing music of the patient’s choice “reduced pain and increased functional
mobility significantly.” Researchers believe that music eases pain because listening to it triggers
opioids—the body’s natural pain relievers. In a 2013 study, people given the opioid blocking drug
Naltrexone experienced less pleasure while listening to their favorite song, suggesting music activates
the release of pain-relieving opioids.

Stress Relief- A 2013 study demonstrates a link between music and decreased stress in pediatric
emergency room patients. “In the trial with 42 children ages 3 to 11, University of Alberta researchers
found that patients who listened to relaxing music while getting an IV inserted reported significantly less
pain, and some demonstrated significantly less distress, compared with patients who did not listen to
music,” according to the American Psychological Association.

Memory- A 2014 study was conducted on 89 patients with dementia, where the patient and caregivers
were randomly assigned either a 10-week music listening coaching group, a 10-week singing coaching
group, or regular care. The results showed that “compared with usual care, both singing and music
listening improved mood, orientation, and remote episodic memory and to a lesser extent, also
attention and executive function and general cognition. Singing also enhanced short-term and working
memory and caregiver well-being, whereas music listening had a positive effect on quality of life.”

Brain Injury, Stroke- Stroke patients who listened to music in the early stages after a stroke showed an
improvement in recovery according to a 2008 study. Author of the study, Teppo Särkämö, suggested
that patients start listening to music soon after the stroke, as many changes occur during the first weeks
and months of recovery. “We found that three months after the stroke, verbal memory improved from
the first week post-stroke by 60 percent in music listeners,” said Särkämö.

In 1973 a music-based treatment called Melodic Intonation Therapy was developed to help stroke
survivors or people who suffer with aphasia to be able to communicate again. The purpose of the
therapy is to convert singing into speech.