Introduction
Music supports emotional health, manages stress, and increases psychological well-being. Scientists suggest that a person’s preferences in music can provide insight into various aspects of their personality (Hooen et al. 12). From ancient times, people used music as a motivation for battles. Moreover, some people associate the healing process with particular sounds or even songs. One of the most outstanding philosophers of ancient times, Pythagoras, highlighted that music is essential for the development of the body and soul or maintains the health of the people and enhances the educational process (Hooen et al. 13). Therefore, music has many various benefits that positively affect people’s nervous system, psychological state, and educational opportunities and can be efficiently applied to medical aims.
Nervous System and Mood
Music affects the nervous system of people based on two factors: physiological and psychological. The first one is correlated with the wavelength and vibrations, which affect the body of the people. The effects of music on a person are expressed in the creation of specific emotional experiences that affect the intensity of metabolic processes, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and brain activity. Any music is represented through the sound wave, which has two significant impacts physical (on skin receptors) and psycho-physiological (on the brain) (Hooen et al. 20). The information received through sound receptors is the most effective. It mobilizes neurons and leads to the emergence of clear sensations and, at the same time, reactions to sensations in the form of emotions and feelings (Hooen et al. 25). When a signal about the irritation of the sound receptor is transmitted to the brain, the human body reacts reflexively (Hooen et al. 25). Reaction to music is the part of the autonomic nervous system controlling the functions within organs and blood vessels. The ear picks up the sound and, through the receptors, perceives vibration and transmits it to the brain. As far as all the functions of the body are connected with the brain, the changes occurring in it affect the physiological processes in the whole neurological system. The vibration of sounds creates particular energy fields that make every cell of our body resonate. A person absorbs musical energy, and it normalizes the rhythm of breathing, pulse, and blood pressure.
Psychological State of a Person
Emotions represent the mental manifestation of the waves. Music can directly affect the psychology of people. It causes a compilation of various emotional experiences. The mental state implies relevant actions, choices, and decisions. The choice of a favorite musical genre largely depends on the individual’s psychological, social, and spiritual maturity, on the need to satisfy the internal emotional and mental state (Gobet and Sala 1429). Each musical style awakens specific emotions in a person. Scientists believe that such a situation appears because of the excitation of resonant oscillations especially when the wave’s frequency coincides with the alpha rhythm of the brain (Gobet and Sala 1431). As a result of biological interactions, music directly affects the psychological state of people.
Correctly chosen music can positively affect the situation of the person experiencing emotional difficulties. Researchers confirmed that music helps cope with stress through practical experiments (Biasutti et al. 2). The study was based on the combination of different frequencies and wavelengths. The primary aim of the experiment was to estimate the subjects’ relaxation and stress in relation to the sound and vibration changes. (Gobet and Sala 1431). Most of the compositions that positively affected the subjects’ states were correlated with classical music. Some of the music even involved an algetic effect reducing the pain level of the people.
Another experiment was associated with listening to sad music. Based on this research, scientists concluded that listening to depressive music positively affects the general mental state of people (Biasutti et al. 3). The listeners associate themselves with the music or the singer, developing empathy. At the same time, such sadness does not cause negative consequences because the real problems do not support it. Thus, sad music contributes to experiencing pain without harming psychological health.
Music and Medicine
Music can be efficiently applied in clinical practices. As was mentioned earlier, musical vibrations of different frequencies can affect people’s psychological states. This feature can be involved in the treatment of psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression. Various studies have shown that listening to pleasant music stimulates the production of dopamine in the brain (Farkhondehzadeh and Hashemimehr 30). Dopamine itself as medication has an analgesic effect. Chronic pain is often considered to be the problem for cancer patients. They also have other negative symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, lack of energy, and poor quality of life.
Several studies have examined the effects of various music therapy techniques and passive listening to music on the well-being of cancer patients (Farkhondehzadeh and Hashemimehr 31). The most significant impact of music in the medical sphere is related to pain syndromes. However, music also has a positive impact on the level of anxiety, loss of energy, and the quality of life of patients in general. Individual studies have documented a reduction in the use of painkillers and rehabilitation time (Farkhondehzadeh and Hashemimehr 31). These results cannot be called accurate and reliable enough. Interestingly, the meta-analysis found no difference between studies that used active forms of music therapy and those that simply passively listened to music (Farkhondehzadeh and Hashemimehr 30). Scientists found only one exception: active music therapy, in contrast to passive listening, is less intense but still influences the quality of life.
Music and Education
Music can enhance memory, concentration, attention, and other skills necessary during education. The researchers found that it was easiest to remember the text if person reads it, but people who listened to it like a song had a better understanding of its essence (Qiang 176). This method is used in the study of languages but also for subjects that rely less on memorization and more on understanding, such as in the exact sciences. When music is not related to the studying subject, people’s brain performs two separate tasks at the same time: studying and listening to music (Qiang 176). The music can change the mood, and it will make activities more manageable.
Conclusion
Therefore, music affects many aspects of human life. From the physiological perspective, music affects the nervous system through vibrations causing changes in mood and the emotional and psychological state of the people. Such effects can be used in the clinical aims of reducing chronic and acute pain. Moreover, music is beneficial for improving the skills such as concentration which are necessary within the educational process. Music has many benefits for people improving their general well-being and quality of life.
Works Cited
Biasutti, Michele, et al. “Editorial: The Impact of Music on Human Development and Well-Being.” Front. Psychol., vol. 11, no. 1246, 2020, pp. 1-4. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01246
Farkhondehzadeh, Mahboobeh and Hashemimehr, Mohammad. “Music Therapy and Its Status in Iranian Medical Texts and Knowledge: The association Between Music and Medicine.” The Journal of Research on History of Medicine, vol. 1, no. 11, 2022, pp. 17-32.
Gobet, Fernand and Sala, Giovanni. “Cognitive and Academic Benefits of Music Training with Children: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis.” Memory & Cognition, vol. 48, 2020, pp. 1429-1441.
Hooen, Susan, et al. “Effects of Music Interventions On Stress-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Two Meta-Analyses.” Health Psychology Review, vol. 14, no. 2, 2020, pp. 1-62. doi:10.1080/17437199.2019.1627897
Qiang, Long. “Influence of Music Education on Children Personality Development.” Journal of Literature and Art Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, 2022, pp. 174-178. doi: 10.17265/2159-5836/2022.02.008