The Psychology of Music

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 According to British psychologist Glenn Wilson, music
plays a very central role in the lives of people and is
ranked highly among pleasures including sex, food and
drink.

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Studies show that music of all genres can have a great
impact on both the physical and psychological aspects of
the human body, in addition to that of plants and animals.

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The American Music Therapy Association describes this
form of treatment as “the clinical and evidence-based use
of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals
within a therapeutic relationship.”

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People suffering from psychological disorders such as
anxiety, depression and autism have shown great
improvement in various mental respects after listening to
certain classifications of music.

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The reason for this is purely neurological.
As mental disorders, both anxiety and depression are
associated with lower levels of the neurotransmitter
Serotonin within the brain, which can reduce brain activity
on an alarming scale.

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Musical tunes and melodies help restore Serotonin levels
to a more natural, calming state. Typically the more
melodious the music is the better, as it also has the power
to calm nerves and reduce stress.

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Music is also celebrated for its innate restorative abilities,
literally healing from the inside out.
Cognitive function benefits from music in a variety of ways
as well; mood is largely influenced by the sound of music.

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Marketers actually research how music influences
shoppers, for example, a store that plays pleasant, positive
tunes usually enhances the customers’ experience and
keeps them coming back for more, so the theory goes.

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Memory is another brain function that increases under the
influence of song.
Music defines decades, bridges barriers and provides a
soundtrack to life, so the theory that music promotes
health and wellbeing isn’t that far off the scale.

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