Music is the Food of our Brains

Music is the Food of our Brains

According to a recent announcement from the University of Helsinki, Finland, listening to classical music enhances the activity of genes responsible for brain functions, including dopamine secretion and transport, synaptic neurotransmission, learning, and memory. Evidently, listening to music represents a complex cognitive function of the human brain, which is known to induce several neuronal and physiological changes. All participants listened to Mozart’s violin concert #3 in G major. (Peer J, March 12, 2015)

Now the down side of this study was that “the effect was only detectable in musically experience participants, suggesting the importance of familiarity and experience in mediating music-induced effects.”  So what does that mean? Only classical musicians and classical music lovers benefit? Or does anyone listening to classical music will aprreciate some change but maybe not as much as the experienced listener? What about my generation of pop music? Does that qualify as “music” just as much as “classical?” And heavy metal? I would think rapping would not qualify as there is speech involved and not as much instrumental backgrounds as the other.

However, what all of us know even though it has not been scientifically proved is that music lifts us higher and helps calm us when we need it. I would think that the kind of music will eventually be shown to be not as important as the listening.  So here’s to the radio music stations!