Music holds a special kind of magic that can profoundly touch your life. Sometimes, it can enhance your concentration, while at other times, it can help soothe your emotions or alleviate stress. There is no doubt that music has a remarkable ability to influence your innermost feelings. But have you ever stopped to wonder why it can profoundly impact your internal emotional state?
Classical music’s academic edge
Certain types of music are more likely to evoke intense emotions. For example, the high notes sung by Taiwanese singer A-Mei in her concert performance of Three Days and Three Nights can easily arouse emotions and make people feel more “excited.” Conversely, gentle rhythms and melodies tend to stabilize emotions.
Baylor University in the United States conducted a study on this topic. They invited 50 college students and divided them into two groups. During class, one group listened to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Vivaldi’s Spring Violin Concerto, and Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat Major. The other group listened to “white noise” (common ambient sounds such as water or fan noises). The results showed that students who listened to classical music performed better academically than their peers, confirming the benefits it has on the brain.
The well-known ‘Mozart effect’
The “Mozart effect” is another fascinating aspect of music’s impact on your well-being.
The University of Pisa in Italy conducted research that found Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major could reduce the frequency of brain abnormalities in epilepsy patients by 31 to 66 percent, thereby minimizing the occurrence of seizures. The unique rhythmic structure of Mozart’s music is thought to activate neural networks, effectively stimulating the brain and reducing seizure frequency.
It’s speculated that the particular rhythmic structure and coherence over time in Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D major, K. 448, activate neural networks, inducing specific oscillatory cycles that help combat epileptic seizures. Further studies in the UK and Taiwan have corroborated the stabilizing effect of this Mozart piece on epilepsy patients’ conditions.
Scientists have long recognized the health benefits of Mozart’s compositions, even suggesting they could enhance fetal brain development. This phenomenon, known as the “Mozart effect,” was first identified in a 1993 scientific publication.
Music as a natural antidepressant
The healing power of music is not a modern discovery. Ancient Chinese texts state that “music is the best medicine,” highlighting its therapeutic role throughout history. It acts as a natural antidepressant, uplifting our spirits and helping us dispel sadness and anxiety. It also holds secrets to the universe’s rhythms and the rhythm of life itself, as ancient wisdom suggests: “The heavens have five notes, as do the human organs; the heavens have six tones, as do the human viscera. This is how humans correspond with the cosmos.” Furthermore: “For illnesses of the seven emotions, gazing at flowers can relieve depression, and listening to music can alleviate sorrow, often more effectively than medication.”
Music’s unique healing power, from its ability to improve academic performance and reduce seizure frequency to its role as a natural antidepressant, underscores its profound impact on our lives. As we explore the intricate relationship between music and well-being, it becomes clear that the melodies surrounding us are not just background noise, but a powerful tool for enhancing our physical and emotional health.
Translated by Katy Liu
