Imagine a world without music. No melodies to hum along to, no beats to dance to, and no soothing harmonies to comfort you after a long day. It’s almost unthinkable, isn’t it? Music has been woven into the fabric of human life for millennia. But beyond its ability to entertain, music holds a unique power over our brains—and it might just help us live longer, healthier lives.

The Science of Music and the Brain

When you listen to your favorite song, your brain lights up like a Christmas tree. Using advanced magnetic resonance imaging, neuroscientists have discovered that music activates nearly every region of the brain, from the emotional centers to the motor cortex.

Even more impressive? Music engages the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory, and the prefrontal cortex, which is linked to decision-making and focus. Studies have shown that playing an instrument or singing regularly can even increase neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to adapt and grow throughout life.

Watch Wired’s video about your brain on music:

Music for Longevity

Music doesn’t just feel good—it’s good for you. Studies suggest that engaging with music can help reduce chronic stress, one of the biggest contributors to premature aging. It has also been linked to lower blood pressure, improved immune function, and reduced inflammation, all of which are key factors in living a long and healthy life.

One fascinating study published in 2024 in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that older adults who engaged in music as opposed to listening passively had better cognitive function and a lower risk of dementia than their peers. The act of making music seems to create a mental workout, keeping the brain sharp and resilient over time.

“Music is a therapy. It is a communication far more powerful than words, far more immediate, far more efficient.” – Yehudi Menuhin

The authors of the study found that adults who play an instrument are more likely to have a stronger memory and cognitive control. The piano was found to be the instrument most significantly linked to better cognitive health. Singing in a choir was also associated with better cognitive control.

Most of the study participants had played for 5 years or less. Individuals reported practicing 2–3 hours a week or less during their active musical years.

“You can look at disease as a form of disharmony. And there’s no organ system in the body that’s not affected by sound and music and vibration.” – Mitchell Gaynor, M.D.

Music’s Impact on Mental Health and Personality

Music is a powerful mood regulator. Need a pick-me-up? Upbeat songs can improve your mood almost instantly. Feeling anxious? Soft, calming music can lower your heart rate and breathing, helping you relax.

Many transit systems in major cities around the world such as Paris, London and Tokyo play soft, calming music as part of a broader effort to soothe savage the beast and keep the peace in otherwise crowded, high-pressure spaces.

“Just as certain selections of music will nourish the physical body and your emotional layer, so other musical works will bring greater health to your mind.” – Hal A. Lingerman

But the benefits go deeper. Music can enhance creativity, boost confidence, and even help people express emotions they can’t put into words. For children and teenagers, learning an instrument has been linked to higher self-esteem and better social skills. For adults, music often becomes a form of self-care or a way to connect with others.

The Healing Effects of Music

“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” – Billy Joel

Most people agree that music is uplifting for the soul and calms the spirit. However, the notion of using song, sound frequencies and rhythm to treat physical ailments is a relatively new domain, according to psychologist Daniel J. Levitin, PhD, who studies the neuroscience of music at McGill University in Montreal and is author of “This is Your Brain on Music” (Plume/Penguin, 2007). 

Levitin and his colleagues found that listening to and playing music increase the body’s production of the antibody immunoglobulin A along with the natural killer cells — the cells that attack invading viruses and boost the immune system. They also found that music also reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Whether it’s used on NICU wards, in long-term care facilities, Alzheimer’s care homes or in hospices, music fundamentally helps people by providing important stress reduction and improvement in cognitive function.

Read The Health Insiders’ Elan Eisen’s moving account of how music has had a profound effect on his mother, who has Alzheimer’s.

But the power of music therapy seems to go even deeper. Scientists now believe that music can help heal traumatic brain injury (TBI), with some studies showing that engaging with music activates attention, memory, and problem-solving skills and even speech regions of the brain. Music therapists can target specific cognitive goals for TBI patients through structured musical activities.

A prominent example is the case of Forrest Allen, an 18-year-old who was left in an almost lifeless state after a snowboarding accident in 2011. Allen’s recovery was harrowing; he couldn’t speak for two years after multiple surgeries and comas.

At one point in his recovery, his music therapist noticed that he seemed to be tapping along to the rhythm of a song with his pinkie finger. His therapist then began using rhythm and melody to help with his recovery. Thanks to his doctors, surgeons, and physical therapists, Allen ended up recovering. He credits being able to talk again largely due to his music therapy.

Watch the trailer for the documentary made about Allen’s journey and the power music therapy had on his recovery below.

How to Get Started with Music

If you’ve always dreamed of playing an instrument or singing, it’s never too late to start. Here are a few simple ways to bring music into your life:

  1. Sing in the Shower: Your voice is your most accessible instrument! Singing can boost your mood and even improve your breathing.
  2. Try an App: Platforms like Simply Piano, Yousician, or Smule make learning fun and beginner friendly.
  3. Join a Choir or Group: Singing or playing with others can be incredibly fulfilling and motivating.
  4. Pick Up a Simple Instrument: The ukulele or keyboard are great for beginners and easy to learn with online tutorials.
  5. Set Aside Time to Listen: Even if you’re not ready to play, create a playlist that inspires or relaxes you and make music a daily habit.

If it wasn’t clear before, it certainly should be now: Music should play a part in everyone’s life. It’s more than just a form of entertainment—it’s a tool for healing, growth, and connection.

Whether you’re listening to a symphony, strumming a guitar, or humming a lullaby, you’re nurturing your brain, soothing your soul, and maybe even adding years to your life. So why not pick up a guitar, or learn to play the piano – today? It’s never too late to let music be your lifelong companion.

After all, every great life journey needs a soundtrack.

~Read more from The Health Insider~


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