Music Is More Than Just Nice On The Ears—It Can Boost Your Mental Health, Too
If you're a music lover, you've probably felt how listening to your favorite song can boost your mood. It's not just you—studies have found that listening to music can significantly improve your psychological quality of life. The benefits are so pronounced that music is even used as a tool for therapy.
Your brain on music
Music activates nearly all parts of the brain, including the hippocampus and amygdala, which are responsible for your emotional responses. It stimulates your brain's reward centers because your brain learns to anticipate the rhythmic patterns, which creates a sense of satisfaction and euphoria. Playing musical instruments also positively affects longevity and cognition by increasing the gray matter in your brain and improving plasticity.
What are the benefits?
Research has shown that listening to relaxing music can reduce stress hormones like cortisol in the body. Listening to music you enjoy can also lift your mood and reduce depression symptoms by boosting the production of the neurotransmitter associated with happiness, dopamine.
People in intensive care reported feeling less pain and stress after listening to music for 30 minutes, according to a 2021 study.
Music also improves motivation by triggering the brain's reward system and making tasks more enjoyable.
One 2007 study has even found a link between music and focus. It showed that classical music, in particular, helps your brain take in and process new information. Additionally, it can train your brain to pay better attention and make predictions, improving reasoning skills. A growing body of research suggests that music's reliance on structure, repetition, and rhythm may be particularly beneficial in improving attention for those with ADHD.
It also helps you express emotions and can evoke memories. In a phenomenon called "reminiscence bump," certain songs can trigger vivid recollections by engaging with the brain's limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions and forming memories. Music is sometimes used as a treatment for people with dementia, as playing a song from their adolescence can strengthen neural pathways, spark memories, and encourage mental stimulation.
In addition to the mental health benefits, music has also been shown to improve immunity, athletic endurance, enhance sleep, balance, and motor skills. For people with Parkinson's disease, it's been shown to improve movement by providing a steady rhythmic cue.
What kind of music is best for the brain?
While different types of music can have varying effects, depending on the person, instrumental music has generally been found to be the most effective when it comes to focus because music with lyrics can be distracting. Classical music is often cited for its ability to improve cognitive performance and has even been shown to increase memory consolidation and neuroplasticity, according to a 2024 study. If you're not a classical music lover, lo-fi and ambient music are also excellent choices for focus, as they're typically instrumental and relaxing. If you want to boost your mood, choose something energetic with positive, upbeat lyrics and tempos. Pop, rock, or soul/funk are good options.
Music therapy
Music therapy is the clinical use of music to improve mental, emotional, and physical health. Music therapists use active listening, songwriting, or playing musical instruments to meet specific individual needs. Research has shown it to be effective for people with depression, autism, trauma, and dementia. Its ability to trigger memories can cause what therapists can breakthroughs or pivotal moments. When used in group settings, it's been shown to foster greater connectivity, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. Dance/movement therapists also use music to stimulate nonverbal expression by inducing dance.
