HOW MUSIC MAKES YOU SMARTER!!

Scientists have been researching how music impacts the brain for years. When you learn how to sing or play new songs on the piano (or any instrument) there are many benefits to the brain. The research has been exploring how music affects brain function, human behavior, reducing stress, reducing pain, helps symptoms of depression, cognitive skills, motor skills, spatial-temporal learning, and neurogenesis (brain produces neurons).

For all of my science geeks, the results can be seen on an MRI, the brain lights up in many different places. Let’s look at the different places in the brain and how the brain responses to music.

1. Frontal Lobe (used for decision making – thinking) is enhanced, which means you are thinking clearer and helps make better decisions.

2. Temporal Lobe (processes what you hear) the lyrics are interpreted in the left side and the music (sounds) are understood on the right side of the temporal lobe; both sides of the brain are processing the music at the same time.

3. Broca’s Area (produces speech) is used to express music which means playing the piano or singing improves your ability to communicate better!

4. Wernicke’s Area (understanding written & spoken words) is used to analyze and enjoy music.

5. Cerebellum (coordinates movement & stores physical memories) allowing Alzheimer’s patients to play the piano because of muscle memory. Those memories never fade away.

6. Nucleus Accumbens (pleasure seeking & rewards) releases dopamine when music is heard, played or sung. Music increases dopamine in this part of the brain which makes you feel good.

7. Amygdala (processes and brings out emotions) is affected by music and helps control your fear, increases pleasure, makes you feel emotions and process them.

8. Hippocampus (controls memories, regulates emotions) will increase neurogenesis when you hear music. This allows production of new neurons and improves your memory.

9. Putamen (processes rhythm & regulates body movement/coordination) is the part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s disease. When music is played, dopamine is increased in this area which temporarily stops the symptoms of Parkinson’s which allows the patient to get up or down and walk.

It really doesn’t matter which genre of music is preferred, it just depends on your background and what you like. This is why music is so important for children, it does make them smarter because of all the wonderful things it does to the brain!

JOKE FOR THE DAY:

How did the piano get out of jail?

With its keys

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