From: hubermanlab
Music is often perceived as an external experience, yet it profoundly engages our internal neurological constructs. In the recent episode of the Huberman Lab Podcast, Andrew Huberman, a professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine, delves into the myriad ways music impacts our brain and bodily states. This article explores these fascinating interactions.
Music: A Neurological Phenomenon
Music is not merely an auditory experience; it’s a complex neurological phenomenon. When we listen to music, it engages nearly every part of our brain, creating a symphony of neural activity. This engagement is so profound that our brain and body essentially become part of the instrument, contributing to our perception of music at the level of neural ensembles, or the firing of neurons [[00:00:15]].
Music and Emotional Processing
Listening to music can powerfully evoke and describe emotions. It articulates nuances of emotions—such as happiness, sadness, and nostalgia—that language alone struggles to express. Music can also imply intent, activate emotions, and motivate action by altering our brain and body states, often playing specific roles in emotional processing and the shifting of moods music’s role in mood regulation and emotional processing [[00:00:25]].
Sadness and Happiness
Studies have shown that music with slower tempos (below 60 beats per minute) can help process feelings of sadness, while faster-paced music (above 140 beats per minute) can elevate happiness defining happiness through neuroscience and psychology [[00:13:15]]. Listening to sad music for 13 minutes or more can assist in processing emotions, whereas listening to happy music for nine minutes or more can significantly improve mood tools and practices for achieving happiness [[01:23:00]].
Music and Physical Health
Research indicates that music can positively affect various health metrics such as heart rate variability and blood pressure. By engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, music can result in improved heart rate variability and reduction in resting heart rate, even outside the period of listening. This symbiotic relationship enhances mental and physical well-being effects of music on cardiovascular health and physiological responses [[00:20:52]].
Music’s Influence on Motivation and Movement
The activation of pre-motor and motor circuits shows that music prepares the body for movement and increases motivation. It can prime the body to exercise by shifting the balance in neural circuits responsible for initiating movement. Listening to faster-paced music can enhance motivation, even encouraging movement if the body is at rest using music to enhance motivation and workout performance [[00:50:16]].
Cognitive Performance and Focus
Huberman’s research also suggests that while music with lyrics can impede cognitive performance during tasks requiring focus, listening to instrumental music or having no music at all can enhance productivity. Moreover, listening to favored music during breaks can bolster learning and memory retention impact of music on learning, memory, and neuroplasticity [[01:00:05]].
Conclusion
Music’s profound influence on the brain illustrates its power to enhance life enjoyment and productivity. By understanding the science behind music and its effects on our neural circuits, individuals can leverage music as a tool for emotional processing, motivation, and improved health outcomes. Whether it’s through understanding complex emotions or improving bodily metrics, music is indeed an integral part of human experience, deeply embedded in the neurological fabric of life.