We all love listening to a good tune as we drive to work, get to our assignments, or as we work out. While we assume we are listening to particular songs because they sound pleasant to us, very euphonic, but what we don’t realize is the part music plays in our neurology and brain function. In reality, what seems like artistic production plays a very medical role in the animal brain and can be very beneficial in the healthy development of our thinking, and perceiving of reality.

Studies show that listening to music can greatly reduce the amount of psychological stress a person is under. In a study, patients who were about to undergo surgery, were allowed to listen to a tune or take an anti-anxiety drug. They were allotted at random. The anxiety levels were tracked as were the levels of cortisol – which is the stress hormone. Patients who took the drug actually experienced more stress than those who simply listened to music. Their cortisol levels were much higher! So listening to music while working, can greatly reduce the level of anxiety that might be brought about by the amount of work.

When we listening to music, our heartbeat and breathe tend to try and synchronize with the beat we are listening to. Soft, slow music, automatically results in a lowered heart rate, while that of fast music can increase the heart rate, which is why it’s good workout music!

Not only psychologically, but studies have also proven that music also helps strengthen immunity. Music is linked with immunoblobin A, which is linked to immunity. This leads to a higher count of germ and bacteria fighting cells! So, if you’ve ever been bed-ridden with a fever, or any other illness, listening to music can help in the recovery process. It doesn’t just feel good on the ears, but also in your blood. But it’s not just limited to blood – many other parts of the body also experience positive outcomes from music.

In 2014, a study showed that listening to a certain tune reduced the amount of seizure’s occurring in children diagnosed with epilepsy. This tune was Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K 448. It also boosts post-partum healing in patients who have suffered in accidents or are recovering from surgery. It even greatly reduces the chances of post-partum depression.

Music leads to improved motor and reasoning skills. Children who take up learning a musical instrument, tend to develop motor skills more quickly and efficiently than those who don’t. In the future, they also tend to have better reasoning skills and are considerably better mathematical calculators.

In children, those who listened to music growing up were found to have higher emotional intelligence. After all, every song does convey a certain message, which is linked to a certain emotion that we are able to identify. Children quickly learn the range of human emotions and make them more approachable and able to predict how a certain person is feeling.

Music, most definitely, makes everyone feel a range of emotions. While listening to our favorite music we experience a euphoric sensation which not only sounds good to us, but also helps in keeping our bodies healthy. It encourages us to be positive and happy. Music is a healer, and a teacher.