see why if you're listening to words that you're reading on a page maybe even
that you're reading on a page maybe even mumbling them you know a little bit
mumbling them you know a little bit moving your lips a little bit while you
moving your lips a little bit while you read which by the way if you heard our
read which by the way if you heard our episode on language and auditory
episode on language and auditory processing with Dr Eddie Chang who's
processing with Dr Eddie Chang who's chair of neurosurgery at UCSF he talked
chair of neurosurgery at UCSF he talked about the fact that when we read
about the fact that when we read any material that the brain is
any material that the brain is generating pre-motor activity you now
generating pre-motor activity you now know what pre-motor activity is
know what pre-motor activity is pre-motor activity down to the muscles
pre-motor activity down to the muscles of the throat larynx pharynx
of the throat larynx pharynx which would speak those words were those
which would speak those words were those signals to get above a certain level but
signals to get above a certain level but that when we read typically the signals
that when we read typically the signals that are getting sent through those
that are getting sent through those pre-motor circuits are just below the
pre-motor circuits are just below the threshold of what would have us actually
threshold of what would have us actually speak those words put simply when we
speak those words put simply when we read we are just shy of saying what we
read we are just shy of saying what we are reading and so when I say that when
are reading and so when I say that when I read I'm listening to the words in my
I read I'm listening to the words in my head that's what I'm referring to so
head that's what I'm referring to so we're starting to funnel in on some
we're starting to funnel in on some general principles of music and how it
general principles of music and how it impacts the brain and how that can be
impacts the brain and how that can be leveraged toward Better Learning and
leveraged toward Better Learning and better motivation both in the context of
better motivation both in the context of physical and cognitive Endeavors okay so
physical and cognitive Endeavors okay so if you want to get motivated listening
if you want to get motivated listening to music prior to doing something that
to music prior to doing something that you're trying to motivate to do
you're trying to motivate to do is a good idea that's what the data say
is a good idea that's what the data say if you're trying to learn something
if you're trying to learn something that's cognitive then requires reading
that's cognitive then requires reading focus and concentration silence 40 Hertz
focus and concentration silence 40 Hertz binaural beats white noise or brown
binaural beats white noise or brown noise is probably best and if you are
noise is probably best and if you are going to listen to music listening to
going to listen to music listening to music
music that includes instrumentals but not
that includes instrumentals but not lyrics would be best and listening to
lyrics would be best and listening to music that includes lyrics that you're
music that includes lyrics that you're very familiar with would be the worst
very familiar with would be the worst condition now with that said there are
condition now with that said there are nice studies and by the way I'm going to
nice studies and by the way I'm going to link to a number of reviews and primary
link to a number of reviews and primary studies in the show note captions that
studies in the show note captions that refer back to this point I'm about to
refer back to this point I'm about to tell you which is that listening to
tell you which is that listening to music while trying to do cognitive tasks
music while trying to do cognitive tasks can be detrimental toward learning that
can be detrimental toward learning that material
material turns out that if you listen to music in
turns out that if you listen to music in the breaks between trying to learn
the breaks between trying to learn certain material you can actually
certain material you can actually heighten your level of cognition and
heighten your level of cognition and focus and your ability to learn so I
focus and your ability to learn so I find this particularly cool it's not
find this particularly cool it's not that music is bad for focus and
that music is bad for focus and cognition and learning it's that
cognition and learning it's that listening to music especially music that
listening to music especially music that you're familiar with that includes
you're familiar with that includes lyrics at the same time as trying to
lyrics at the same time as trying to learn something else is not a good idea
learn something else is not a good idea but listening to music with lyrics
but listening to music with lyrics especially music with lyrics that you're
especially music with lyrics that you're familiar with that you find particularly
familiar with that you find particularly uplifting and motivating is a cognitive
uplifting and motivating is a cognitive and performance enhancer when you go
and performance enhancer when you go back to doing that work in silence or
back to doing that work in silence or perhaps while listening to White Noise
perhaps while listening to White Noise Brown noise or 40 Hertz binaural beats
Brown noise or 40 Hertz binaural beats so like so many things the answer is not
so like so many things the answer is not black and white it's not that silence is
black and white it's not that silence is better than music or that music is bad
better than music or that music is bad for learning it turns out that listening
for learning it turns out that listening to music even music with lyrics you're
to music even music with lyrics you're very familiar with can be highly
very familiar with can be highly beneficial for learning but that you
beneficial for learning but that you want to listen to that music in the
want to listen to that music in the breaks be between these bouts of
breaks be between these bouts of cognitive work now I've done previous
cognitive work now I've done previous podcasts that talk about how long about
podcasts that talk about how long about of cognitive work can or should be
of cognitive work can or should be typically 90 minutes is going to be the
typically 90 minutes is going to be the upper limit before you take a break some
upper limit before you take a break some people can't work for 90 minutes without
people can't work for 90 minutes without a break
a break by the way folks when I say without a
by the way folks when I say without a break I don't mean remaining in a deep
break I don't mean remaining in a deep trench of focus for 90 minutes nobody
trench of focus for 90 minutes nobody does that actually I suppose there are a
does that actually I suppose there are a few folks that with neurochemical
few folks that with neurochemical Assistance or just by way of training
Assistance or just by way of training can get themselves into a deep deep
can get themselves into a deep deep trench of focus for 90 minutes or more
trench of focus for 90 minutes or more but most people are going to focus on
but most people are going to focus on something and then have their attention
something and then have their attention flit out of focus and then they're going
flit out of focus and then they're going to have to draw their focus back to
to have to draw their focus back to whatever it is they're doing that's not
whatever it is they're doing that's not just typical that's absolutely normal
just typical that's absolutely normal and you shouldn't be concerned at all if
and you shouldn't be concerned at all if you try and focus for three minutes and
you try and focus for three minutes and find your attention jumping around two
find your attention jumping around two or three times during
or three times during that attempt but if you're somebody who
that attempt but if you're somebody who is going to do say a 90 minute or even
is going to do say a 90 minute or even 60 Minute or even 30 minute bout of work
60 Minute or even 30 minute bout of work and you are going to get up for a moment
and you are going to get up for a moment and use the restroom or you're going to
and use the restroom or you're going to take a break in between bouts of work so
take a break in between bouts of work so maybe you work for 30 minutes take 10
maybe you work for 30 minutes take 10 minutes or five minutes off or 90
minutes or five minutes off or 90 minutes take 30 minutes off listening to
minutes take 30 minutes off listening to music in those breaks
music in those breaks it seems can increase our ability to
it seems can increase our ability to focus and to learn new material once we
focus and to learn new material once we return to those bouts of cognitive Focus
return to those bouts of cognitive Focus now when it comes to physical exertion
now when it comes to physical exertion cardiovascular exercise resistance
cardiovascular exercise resistance training of any kind many people
training of any kind many people including myself like to listen to music
including myself like to listen to music while performing
while performing that physical exercise or that physical
that physical exercise or that physical exertion the data on whether or not
exertion the data on whether or not music improve physical performance is a
music improve physical performance is a bit mixed
bit mixed certainly you can find studies that show
certainly you can find studies that show that it improves physical output other
that it improves physical output other studies will say that it doesn't make a
studies will say that it doesn't make a difference other studies will say that
difference other studies will say that it reduces
it reduces physical output however this is a very
physical output however this is a very important however the type of physical
important however the type of physical exercise is not very well matched
exercise is not very well matched between those different studies so this
between those different studies so this is something that I believe is going to
is something that I believe is going to be highly individual in accordance with
be highly individual in accordance with the published data I mix it up there are
the published data I mix it up there are times when I will head out for a run or
times when I will head out for a run or I will do a resistance training session
I will do a resistance training session and I will listen to music usually an
and I will listen to music usually an album all the way through or a playlist
album all the way through or a playlist all the way through that's because I
all the way through that's because I don't want to be going onto my phone
don't want to be going onto my phone very often in fact these days I use an
very often in fact these days I use an older separate phone that doesn't have
older separate phone that doesn't have any text messaging or communication to
any text messaging or communication to the outside world but it has music
the outside world but it has music loaded into it
loaded into it or onto it that allows me to just listen
or onto it that allows me to just listen to music so that I I don't run the risk
to music so that I I don't run the risk of getting distracted texting and doing
of getting distracted texting and doing things like that I just want to focus on
things like that I just want to focus on my physical exercise I should say that
my physical exercise I should say that phone also has audio books podcasts
phone also has audio books podcasts things I've downloaded to it
things I've downloaded to it so it's a place where I can listen to
so it's a place where I can listen to things but not communicate with the
things but not communicate with the outside world at least while exercising
outside world at least while exercising some people do very well to listen to
some people do very well to listen to music literally in between and during
music literally in between and during their sets of resistance training
their sets of resistance training throughout their entire runs
throughout their entire runs it's going to be individual you have to
it's going to be individual you have to figure out what's best for you however
figure out what's best for you however one of the most interesting things about
one of the most interesting things about the scientific literature on this shows
the scientific literature on this shows that if people listen to music in
that if people listen to music in particular music that tends to be faster
particular music that tends to be faster more upbeat typically it's going to be
more upbeat typically it's going to be in these studies rock and roll music as
in these studies rock and roll music as opposed to classical although there are
opposed to classical although there are some studies that have explored
some studies that have explored classical and other forms of music as it
classical and other forms of music as it relates to exercise listening to that
relates to exercise listening to that music in between bouts of exertion so in
music in between bouts of exertion so in the rest between sets of resistance
the rest between sets of resistance training or periodically during say a
training or periodically during say a run
run or about a cycling
or about a cycling can indeed enhance performance in a way
can indeed enhance performance in a way that at least by my read of the data
that at least by my read of the data exceeds that which is observed when
exceeds that which is observed when people just listen to music throughout
people just listen to music throughout in other words if you find it useful to
in other words if you find it useful to listen to music before during and after
listen to music before during and after your workouts great be my guest however
your workouts great be my guest however what the data say is that switching up
what the data say is that switching up between silence and listening to music
between silence and listening to music and in this case it would be listening
and in this case it would be listening to music that you're very familiar with
to music that you're very familiar with and that can evoke a sense of motivation
and that can evoke a sense of motivation and desired action in you for whatever
and desired action in you for whatever reason the music the beat the memories
reason the music the beat the memories that it draws you to
that it draws you to Etc
Etc well then that's going to be useful so
well then that's going to be useful so there really isn't one protocol for how
there really isn't one protocol for how to get the most out of music for sake of
to get the most out of music for sake of physical exertion but if you're
physical exertion but if you're interested in playing with some of these
interested in playing with some of these variables as they've been examined
variables as they've been examined within the peer-reviewed literature I
within the peer-reviewed literature I find it interesting and indeed I found
find it interesting and indeed I found it useful to for instance do a workout
it useful to for instance do a workout where I only listen to music in between
where I only listen to music in between sets of resistance training or to listen
sets of resistance training or to listen to music prior to going out for a run
to music prior to going out for a run and then oftentimes when I do that the
and then oftentimes when I do that the song will or songs will be sort of on
song will or songs will be sort of on Loop in my head although I confess that
Loop in my head although I confess that a lot of times nowadays I listen to
a lot of times nowadays I listen to podcasts while I run or while I hike and
podcasts while I run or while I hike and when I'm in the gym and I'm doing
when I'm in the gym and I'm doing resistance training I like to listen to
resistance training I like to listen to music as opposed to content that
music as opposed to content that requires that I really focus very
requires that I really focus very heavily on that content such as a
heavily on that content such as a podcast such as a book I'd like to take
podcast such as a book I'd like to take a quick break and acknowledge our
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insidetracker.com huberman to get 20 off now I'd like to talk about the use of
now I'd like to talk about the use of music to shift our mood and indeed to
music to shift our mood and indeed to get us out of states of anxiety this is
get us out of states of anxiety this is a really interesting scientific
a really interesting scientific literature with some very specific
literature with some very specific actionable takeaways that I think
actionable takeaways that I think everyone will find beneficial I
everyone will find beneficial I certainly did
certainly did however I want to point out that we
however I want to point out that we don't need a scientific study to
don't need a scientific study to illustrate for us the way that music can
illustrate for us the way that music can shift our mood and you already know why
shift our mood and you already know why it is that listening to a sad song can
it is that listening to a sad song can sometimes make us feel sad listening to
sometimes make us feel sad listening to happy music can make us feel happy it's
happy music can make us feel happy it's because when we listen to music there
because when we listen to music there are some fundamental components of that
are some fundamental components of that music literally the mathematical
music literally the mathematical structure of that music including the
structure of that music including the frequency of sounds the Cadence of those
frequency of sounds the Cadence of those sounds as well as the lyrics but even in
sounds as well as the lyrics but even in the absence of lyrics that are
the absence of lyrics that are activating brain circuits within us such
activating brain circuits within us such that the frequencies of sound that we're
that the frequencies of sound that we're hearing are evoking firing of neurons in
hearing are evoking firing of neurons in the brain of the same frequency in other
the brain of the same frequency in other words your brain becomes a bit of a
words your brain becomes a bit of a piano playing the same
piano playing the same song that you're hearing inside your
song that you're hearing inside your head now that's sort of a duh right you
head now that's sort of a duh right you hear music in your head even if you're
hear music in your head even if you're listening to it from outside in the room
listening to it from outside in the room but when you understand that neurons
but when you understand that neurons speak the language of electrochemical
speak the language of electrochemical communication what we're talking about
communication what we're talking about here is particular music evoking the
here is particular music evoking the release of neurochemicals in your brain
release of neurochemicals in your brain at a particular frequency so just think
at a particular frequency so just think about that for a second we know that
about that for a second we know that neurochemicals such as dopamine
neurochemicals such as dopamine serotonin some of the so-called
serotonin some of the so-called endogenous opioids right these aren't
endogenous opioids right these aren't opioids that people take this isn't
opioids that people take this isn't related to the opioid crisis we're
related to the opioid crisis we're talking about endogenous opioids that
talking about endogenous opioids that are released in response to music things
are released in response to music things like exercise different types of social
like exercise different types of social interactions those and other chemicals
interactions those and other chemicals are released according to the firing of
are released according to the firing of specific neurons and we know that when
specific neurons and we know that when you listen to music at particular
you listen to music at particular frequencies arranged in particular
frequencies arranged in particular motifs
motifs Etc that the neurons that release those
Etc that the neurons that release those neurochemicals are firing at those same
neurochemicals are firing at those same frequencies in other words that the
frequencies in other words that the sound is causing a
sound is causing a sound-dependent pharmacologic concert
sound-dependent pharmacologic concert within your brain so that fact should
within your brain so that fact should make it incredibly clear as to why
make it incredibly clear as to why certain music even in the absence of
certain music even in the absence of lyrics can evoke certain emotional
lyrics can evoke certain emotional states certain sound frequencies are
states certain sound frequencies are transformed into the neural language
transformed into the neural language within your brain that releases certain
within your brain that releases certain neurochemicals that create certain
neurochemicals that create certain emotional states of brain and body just
emotional states of brain and body just to drill in how incredible that really
to drill in how incredible that really is a little bit further
is a little bit further if you see a beautiful painting or the
if you see a beautiful painting or the picture or presence of somebody's face
picture or presence of somebody's face in real life that evokes a particularly
in real life that evokes a particularly strong positive or negative emotion
strong positive or negative emotion you can imagine that of course it
you can imagine that of course it creates the release of certain
creates the release of certain neurochemicals or perhaps in the case of
neurochemicals or perhaps in the case of a negative face suppresses the release
a negative face suppresses the release of certain neurochemicals but we can't
of certain neurochemicals but we can't say that a particular frequency of color
say that a particular frequency of color say Reds against oranges or the presence
say Reds against oranges or the presence of a rainbow evokes a sort of
of a rainbow evokes a sort of rainbow-like cascade of neurochemicals
rainbow-like cascade of neurochemicals whereas with sound that's exactly what's
whereas with sound that's exactly what's happening and this isn't to diminish the
happening and this isn't to diminish the value of vision in terms of its ability
value of vision in terms of its ability to evoke emotional states within us
to evoke emotional states within us after all I'm foremost a neuroscientist
after all I'm foremost a neuroscientist but under the umbrella of
but under the umbrella of neuroscientists I started off as and I
neuroscientists I started off as and I continue to be a vision neuroscientist
continue to be a vision neuroscientist studying the visual system and its
studying the visual system and its ability to evoke emotional states within
ability to evoke emotional states within us but I have to acknowledge that the
us but I have to acknowledge that the auditory system and in particular the
auditory system and in particular the circuits in the brain that respond to
circuits in the brain that respond to music have a remarkably potent ability
music have a remarkably potent ability to evoke these emotional states which is
to evoke these emotional states which is why when surveys have been done asking
why when surveys have been done asking people why they listen to music the
people why they listen to music the responses that have come back generally
responses that have come back generally resemble the following statistics
resemble the following statistics approximately 90 of people say they
approximately 90 of people say they listen to music to relax approximately
listen to music to relax approximately 82 percent of people self-report that
82 percent of people self-report that they listen to music in order to make
they listen to music in order to make themselves happy
themselves happy approximately 46.5 percent of people say
approximately 46.5 percent of people say that they listen to music in order to
that they listen to music in order to process particular states of emotion
process particular states of emotion we'll get back to what process means in
we'll get back to what process means in a moment but more often than not when
a moment but more often than not when these Studies have asked specific
these Studies have asked specific questions about what particular types of
questions about what particular types of emotions people are listening to in
emotions people are listening to in order to process their emotions better
order to process their emotions better it is the emotion of sadness
it is the emotion of sadness and 32.5 percent of people
and 32.5 percent of people report that they listen to music in
report that they listen to music in order to increase their sense of
order to increase their sense of concentration and we already talked
concentration and we already talked about the role of Music in concentration
about the role of Music in concentration or its ability in some cases to inhibit
or its ability in some cases to inhibit concentration a few minutes ago now you
concentration a few minutes ago now you might be asking yourself how can 90 of
might be asking yourself how can 90 of people listen to music for one thing and
people listen to music for one thing and 82 percent of people for another thing
82 percent of people for another thing and so on and so forth were well over
and so on and so forth were well over 100 of people ah well in this survey and
100 of people ah well in this survey and other surveys like it people have the
other surveys like it people have the option to give multiple reasons for
option to give multiple reasons for listening to music because of course
listening to music because of course most people have multiple reasons for
most people have multiple reasons for listening to music
listening to music now with that said if we are to examine
now with that said if we are to examine this one particular category nearly half
this one particular category nearly half of people who report listening to music
of people who report listening to music on a regular basis listen to music in
on a regular basis listen to music in order to process their emotions
order to process their emotions we can ask what does the scientific
we can ask what does the scientific literature tell us about how certain
literature tell us about how certain types of music evoke certain types of
types of music evoke certain types of emotions or help us process certain
emotions or help us process certain emotions and we'll get back to what we
emotions and we'll get back to what we mean by process in a moment but
mean by process in a moment but a number of Studies have been done on
a number of Studies have been done on this there's some meta-analyzes that
this there's some meta-analyzes that Converge on some general themes what I
Converge on some general themes what I refer to as the center of mass of data
refer to as the center of mass of data right when there are a lot of studies in
right when there are a lot of studies in a given area the outcomes of some of
a given area the outcomes of some of those studies conflict with one another
those studies conflict with one another generally in a good meta-analysis what
generally in a good meta-analysis what happens is different studies are
happens is different studies are considered more powerful or less
considered more powerful or less powerful than others depending on how
powerful than others depending on how many subjects were involved the
many subjects were involved the different control conditions or lack of
different control conditions or lack of control conditions and so on and so
control conditions and so on and so forth this is one of the great values of
forth this is one of the great values of meta-analyzes
meta-analyzes is that they don't treat all studies
is that they don't treat all studies equally they separate it out studies
equally they separate it out studies based on their level of rigor and
based on their level of rigor and thoroughness well what we can say with
thoroughness well what we can say with confidence is that
confidence is that music that makes us quote unquote happy
music that makes us quote unquote happy or tends to shift People's State from
or tends to shift People's State from less happy to happier regardless of how
less happy to happier regardless of how they enter the experiment tend to be
they enter the experiment tend to be faster music meaning music that on
faster music meaning music that on average contains
average contains 140 to 150 beats per minute or faster
140 to 150 beats per minute or faster okay and there's some other features to
okay and there's some other features to quote unquote happy music if you will
quote unquote happy music if you will that it tends to be in a major key that
that it tends to be in a major key that if there are lyrics to that music that
if there are lyrics to that music that the lyrics tend to report things that
the lyrics tend to report things that are happy or get this total nonsense in
are happy or get this total nonsense in fact when the type of lyrics in this
fact when the type of lyrics in this happy music's I guess singing about
happy music's I guess singing about um great events in life and positive
um great events in life and positive things falling in love being in love
things falling in love being in love positive memories birth of children
positive memories birth of children connection to friends Great Adventures
connection to friends Great Adventures those lyrics or I should say that music
those lyrics or I should say that music containing those lyrics was no more
containing those lyrics was no more effective in creating states of
effective in creating states of happiness than was music of equivalent
happiness than was music of equivalent Cadence so again music that was 140 to
Cadence so again music that was 140 to 150 beats per minute or faster on
150 beats per minute or faster on average
average well even if the lyrics were complete
well even if the lyrics were complete nonsense even if the vocalizations
nonsense even if the vocalizations weren't actual words
weren't actual words it still evoke the same increase in the
it still evoke the same increase in the level of happiness in the subjects than
level of happiness in the subjects than when compared to the music containing
when compared to the music containing coherent lyrics around happy events what
coherent lyrics around happy events what this means is that the Cadence of music
this means is that the Cadence of music is no doubt the critical variable when
is no doubt the critical variable when one is trying to shift one's mood from a
one is trying to shift one's mood from a state of whatever could be depressed or
state of whatever could be depressed or sad to non-depressed nonsad or neutral
sad to non-depressed nonsad or neutral to positive and so on and so forth
to positive and so on and so forth but what this also explains is one hit
but what this also explains is one hit wonders
wonders rarely if ever by the way are one hit
rarely if ever by the way are one hit wonders sad and depressing songs
wonders sad and depressing songs sometimes almost always these one-hit
sometimes almost always these one-hit wonders are songs that are very
wonders are songs that are very effective in shifting people's mood from
effective in shifting people's mood from not so happy to happier or we could just
not so happy to happier or we could just say happier regardless of where they
say happier regardless of where they started out before listening to the song
started out before listening to the song they feel better while and after
they feel better while and after listening to the song
listening to the song and indeed more often than not the
and indeed more often than not the lyrical content of those songs
lyrical content of those songs is not particularly meaningful it's not
is not particularly meaningful it's not addressing a particularly meaningful
addressing a particularly meaningful state or issue it's just what some
state or issue it's just what some people call a party song or something
people call a party song or something that's just uplifting not just to them
that's just uplifting not just to them to but to many other people which
to but to many other people which actually brings up an interesting and
actually brings up an interesting and future looking point which is that
future looking point which is that nowadays we are seeing the emergence of
nowadays we are seeing the emergence of AI Artificial Intelligence being used to
AI Artificial Intelligence being used to generate new songs by capturing these
generate new songs by capturing these well-established rules gleaned from
well-established rules gleaned from Neuroscience of how music impacts the
Neuroscience of how music impacts the brain such that in the future artificial
brain such that in the future artificial intelligence is going to be generating
intelligence is going to be generating hit songs for us as opposed to having
hit songs for us as opposed to having people generating hit songs I know this
people generating hit songs I know this evokes a state of concern and fear in
evokes a state of concern and fear in many people I think that um this is uh
many people I think that um this is uh fear that needs to be matched with
fear that needs to be matched with um I don't know perhaps a cautious
um I don't know perhaps a cautious optimism I mean who knows maybe there
optimism I mean who knows maybe there are patterns of music including lyrics
are patterns of music including lyrics that human beings in their current
that human beings in their current understanding of themselves and of Music
understanding of themselves and of Music have not yet been able to tap into and
have not yet been able to tap into and who knows maybe AI will be generating
who knows maybe AI will be generating the best music that we've ever heard or
the best music that we've ever heard or perhaps music that can shift our States
perhaps music that can shift our States from more depressed or sad to heightened
from more depressed or sad to heightened levels of happiness in ways that humans
levels of happiness in ways that humans have just not been able to accomplish so
have just not been able to accomplish so I think it's important to balance any
I think it's important to balance any pessimism about Ai and its ability to
pessimism about Ai and its ability to generate music based on these rules of
generate music based on these rules of how music impacts the brain with an
how music impacts the brain with an open-mindedness after all neuroscience
open-mindedness after all neuroscience neuroimaging and neural recordings
neuroimaging and neural recordings directly with electrodes in the brain
directly with electrodes in the brain while people are listening to music is
while people are listening to music is teaching us how the brain responds to
teaching us how the brain responds to that music and is giving us information
that music and is giving us information that indeed human beings but also
that indeed human beings but also computers can use in order to generate
computers can use in order to generate stimuli music that can shift our brain
stimuli music that can shift our brain into more positive States and if that's
into more positive States and if that's the case wouldn't that be wonderful
the case wouldn't that be wonderful another established feature of happy
another established feature of happy music is get this its ability to get
music is get this its ability to get people to relax the furrow of their brow
people to relax the furrow of their brow and need to raise their eyebrows and to
and need to raise their eyebrows and to be a bit wide-eyed and not just through
be a bit wide-eyed and not just through autonomic arousal but rather through
autonomic arousal but rather through activation of the muscles in the face
activation of the muscles in the face conversely we know that sad music and
conversely we know that sad music and here we can Define sad music this has
here we can Define sad music this has actually been done in the literature sad
actually been done in the literature sad music tends to be slower than average
music tends to be slower than average slower than 60 beats per minute or so
slower than 60 beats per minute or so again on average and this again is
again on average and this again is independent of the lyrics that might not
independent of the lyrics that might not even be present in the song
even be present in the song sad music tends to activate the
sad music tends to activate the corrugator muscles
corrugator muscles of the forehead which are the muscles
of the forehead which are the muscles that Furrow the brow and that lead to a
that Furrow the brow and that lead to a kind of serious look it's in an it's a
kind of serious look it's in an it's a folding in of the face as opposed to a
folding in of the face as opposed to a widening up of the eyes and a relaxation
widening up of the eyes and a relaxation of the brow now given where we are in
of the brow now given where we are in the course of this discussion that
the course of this discussion that shouldn't be surprising we already
shouldn't be surprising we already talked about how listening to particular
talked about how listening to particular sounds evokes the release of particular
sounds evokes the release of particular neurochemicals but in a more direct
neurochemicals but in a more direct fashion
fashion listening to particular sounds activate
listening to particular sounds activate certain pre-motor and motor circuits
certain pre-motor and motor circuits within the brain and body not just the
within the brain and body not just the desire to move one's torso limbs or both
desire to move one's torso limbs or both Bob one's head or move ahead side to
Bob one's head or move ahead side to side but also the micro structures of
side but also the micro structures of the face which because one of the main
the face which because one of the main roles of the face is to communicate
roles of the face is to communicate emotion
emotion is going to cause either a relaxation of
is going to cause either a relaxation of the brow and a lifting of the eyebrows
the brow and a lifting of the eyebrows or a furrowing or a activation of the
or a furrowing or a activation of the corrugator muscles of the eyebrow and if
corrugator muscles of the eyebrow and if that's not obvious and yet interesting
that's not obvious and yet interesting enough well get this
enough well get this there seems to be a direct relationship
there seems to be a direct relationship I'm chuckling because this still just
I'm chuckling because this still just blows my mind because it's a total duh
blows my mind because it's a total duh obvious when you hear it but it's still
obvious when you hear it but it's still just so cool that there's a direct
just so cool that there's a direct relationship of the frequency of the
relationship of the frequency of the sound that you hear either low pitched
sound that you hear either low pitched or high pitched and the Cadence of that
or high pitched and the Cadence of that sound and here I realize I'm not using
sound and here I realize I'm not using technical music theory language but
technical music theory language but whether or not the that particular tone
whether or not the that particular tone is played over and over close in time or
is played over and over close in time or more spaced out in time and facial
more spaced out in time and facial expressions and indeed
expressions and indeed when we listen to
when we listen to bass tones low frequency tones set apart
bass tones low frequency tones set apart from one another with some distance so
from one another with some distance so that they're not overlapping we get the
that they're not overlapping we get the all too familiar
all too familiar bass face so what I'm referring to here
bass face so what I'm referring to here is what neuroscientists would call a
is what neuroscientists would call a labeled line literally a circuit of
labeled line literally a circuit of neurons that goes from the periphery in
neurons that goes from the periphery in this case our ears into our brain
this case our ears into our brain through several different stations and
through several different stations and then
then Wicks out to impact all sorts of things
Wicks out to impact all sorts of things within US states of emotion states of
within US states of emotion states of motivation our propensity to move but
motivation our propensity to move but also a labeled line circuit coming from
also a labeled line circuit coming from hearing low frequency sounds played
hearing low frequency sounds played spaced apart from one another that
spaced apart from one another that evokes a particular facial expression
evokes a particular facial expression and again this takes us back to the
and again this takes us back to the earlier statement that I made which is
earlier statement that I made which is not an original statement frankly there
not an original statement frankly there are people within the field
are people within the field of auditory processing and understanding
of auditory processing and understanding how the brain processes music in fact
how the brain processes music in fact one of the world experts in this Dr Eric
one of the world experts in this Dr Eric Jarvis at the Rockefeller University was
Jarvis at the Rockefeller University was a guest on this podcast where we talked
a guest on this podcast where we talked about the relationship between music
about the relationship between music movement and singing and the fact that
movement and singing and the fact that music movement in particular dance and
music movement in particular dance and singing likely preceded the evolution of
singing likely preceded the evolution of modern spoken language
modern spoken language well Eric Jarvis and others have argued
well Eric Jarvis and others have argued quite convincingly that these circuits
quite convincingly that these circuits that I'm calling labeled lines to
that I'm calling labeled lines to particular facial expressions and states
particular facial expressions and states of emotion are the most fundamental
of emotion are the most fundamental components of communication and the ways
components of communication and the ways that humans have communicated about
that humans have communicated about their emotional state and literally
their emotional state and literally induced that same emotional state in
induced that same emotional state in other members of our species dating back
other members of our species dating back tens of thousands if not more years one
tens of thousands if not more years one of the fun things about researching this
of the fun things about researching this episode on music in the brain is that
episode on music in the brain is that there are a lot of quality studies
there are a lot of quality studies exploring how music impacts the brain
exploring how music impacts the brain neuroimaging neural recording data from
neuroimaging neural recording data from excellent Laboratories as well as a lot
excellent Laboratories as well as a lot of studies in fact a surprising number
of studies in fact a surprising number of studies exploring how particular
of studies exploring how particular types of music impacts mood States and
types of music impacts mood States and fortunately that allowed me to glean
fortunately that allowed me to glean some very specific recommendations as to
some very specific recommendations as to the minimum amounts of say happy music
the minimum amounts of say happy music that you need to listen to in order to
that you need to listen to in order to shift your mood into a happier State and
shift your mood into a happier State and indeed the numbers exist in the
indeed the numbers exist in the literature and it has been shown that
literature and it has been shown that the threshold for significantly shifting
the threshold for significantly shifting one's mood into a happier state by
one's mood into a happier state by listening to the sorts of Music we
listening to the sorts of Music we talked about before that faster Cadence
talked about before that faster Cadence Music even with nonsense lyrics although
Music even with nonsense lyrics although it could include other lyrics instead is
it could include other lyrics instead is nine minutes not ten not eight but nine
nine minutes not ten not eight but nine and I'm sort of joking when I say not
and I'm sort of joking when I say not ten not eight but nine because of course
ten not eight but nine because of course you could listen to music for 10 minutes
you could listen to music for 10 minutes or 15 minutes or longer in fact earlier
or 15 minutes or longer in fact earlier we talked about the benefits of doing
we talked about the benefits of doing that but
that but when one examines the various studies
when one examines the various studies that looked at how long subjects need to
that looked at how long subjects need to listen to music in order to shift their
listen to music in order to shift their mood into a happier State the threshold
mood into a happier State the threshold seems to be nine minutes so if you want
seems to be nine minutes so if you want to feel happier than you currently feel
to feel happier than you currently feel it seems that listening to happy music
it seems that listening to happy music for nine minutes or more is going to be
for nine minutes or more is going to be the effective approach okay so nine
the effective approach okay so nine minutes or more to shift one state to
minutes or more to shift one state to happier what about to process somber or
happier what about to process somber or sad feelings feelings of loss
sad feelings feelings of loss well this raises an even bigger question
well this raises an even bigger question and it's a question that I also get very
and it's a question that I also get very often so you're noticing I get a lot of
often so you're noticing I get a lot of questions often in any event
questions often in any event one of the common questions that I get
one of the common questions that I get is when we are feeling sad
is when we are feeling sad or experiencing a loss you know grieving
or experiencing a loss you know grieving that the loss of a relationship by you
that the loss of a relationship by you know by death or decision or by somebody
know by death or decision or by somebody moving away or the loss of a pet Etc
moving away or the loss of a pet Etc is it better to go into that state in
is it better to go into that state in other words to quote unquote feel one's
other words to quote unquote feel one's feelings or to counter those feelings
feelings or to counter those feelings now historically that's been a very
now historically that's been a very difficult question for me to answer
difficult question for me to answer because who am I to say whether or not
because who am I to say whether or not you should feel your feelings or whether
you should feel your feelings or whether or not feeling those feelings will take
or not feeling those feelings will take you down a trench of feeling much worse
you down a trench of feeling much worse or much better in fact there's an
or much better in fact there's an emerging literature exactly about that
emerging literature exactly about that issue that is whether or not the
issue that is whether or not the catharsis model is really vascotharsis
catharsis model is really vascotharsis being the expression and feeling of
being the expression and feeling of one's emotions as a way to extrude or
one's emotions as a way to extrude or get rid of those emotions or whether or
get rid of those emotions or whether or not that simply drives us further down
not that simply drives us further down the trench of those emotions that's
the trench of those emotions that's really something that we should address
really something that we should address in a separate podcast episode and I will
in a separate podcast episode and I will have experts from the fields of
have experts from the fields of Psychiatry and psychology to help us
Psychiatry and psychology to help us address that question directly but
address that question directly but since we're talking about music in the
since we're talking about music in the brain and the fact that music has a
brain and the fact that music has a tremendous capacity to evoke emotional
tremendous capacity to evoke emotional States including sad States
States including sad States what has been shown in the peer-reviewed
what has been shown in the peer-reviewed literature is that when people who are
literature is that when people who are feeling sad for whatever reason
feeling sad for whatever reason loss of relationship death who knows
loss of relationship death who knows doesn't really matter why they're
doesn't really matter why they're feeling sad after all
feeling sad after all it's that they're feeling sad listening
it's that they're feeling sad listening to 13 minutes or more of sad music
to 13 minutes or more of sad music that music can contain lyrics they are
that music can contain lyrics they are familiar with or no lyrics regardless of
familiar with or no lyrics regardless of whether or not it contains lyrics it's
whether or not it contains lyrics it's going to be on average 50 or 60 beats
going to be on average 50 or 60 beats per minute or less we established that
per minute or less we established that already
already listening to that for 13 minutes or more
listening to that for 13 minutes or more has been shown to be effective in
has been shown to be effective in allowing people to quote unquote process
allowing people to quote unquote process their somber feelings and to some extent
their somber feelings and to some extent to move past their feelings of sadness
to move past their feelings of sadness so
so those studies support the idea that when
those studies support the idea that when feeling sad feeling one's feelings and
feeling sad feeling one's feelings and perhaps even amplifying those feelings
perhaps even amplifying those feelings of Sadness by listening to sad music for
of Sadness by listening to sad music for 13 minutes or more can help people
13 minutes or more can help people process those sad feelings and while
process those sad feelings and while that point might seem overly
that point might seem overly reductionist I actually think it's a
reductionist I actually think it's a real value I'm certainly familiar with
real value I'm certainly familiar with feelings of loss feelings of grief and
feelings of loss feelings of grief and I've often struggled with this question
I've often struggled with this question of you know gosh do I try and just push
of you know gosh do I try and just push it aside or do I deal with those
it aside or do I deal with those feelings
feelings again this is something that you really
again this is something that you really need to determine for yourself but what
need to determine for yourself but what these studies show pretty conclusively
these studies show pretty conclusively is that when we're feeling sad matching
is that when we're feeling sad matching that sadness or amplifying that Sadness
that sadness or amplifying that Sadness by listening to sad music for 13 minutes
by listening to sad music for 13 minutes or more can help us move through that
or more can help us move through that state of sadness and one could argue
state of sadness and one could argue this is more or less the use of
this is more or less the use of catharsis of amplifying emotional
catharsis of amplifying emotional expression or feeling
expression or feeling in order to try and move that feeling
in order to try and move that feeling out is a classic idea of originating in
out is a classic idea of originating in Freudian psychology but probably before
Freudian psychology but probably before then as well but in any event I think
then as well but in any event I think these data support the idea that even
these data support the idea that even when feeling sad perhaps especially when
when feeling sad perhaps especially when feeling sad
feeling sad amplifying or matching those feelings
amplifying or matching those feelings through the use of sad music for 13
through the use of sad music for 13 minutes or more
minutes or more again you don't need to set a timer for
again you don't need to set a timer for 13 minutes but giving yourself a period
13 minutes but giving yourself a period of time to just listen to that music is
of time to just listen to that music is one way that can help you move through
one way that can help you move through that state of sadness and then be able
that state of sadness and then be able to lean back into other areas of life so
to lean back into other areas of life so we've talked about the role of Music in
we've talked about the role of Music in evoking or shifting states of happiness
evoking or shifting states of happiness and sadness
and sadness there are also interesting data that
there are also interesting data that support the use of music for shifting
support the use of music for shifting one out of a state of heightened anxiety
one out of a state of heightened anxiety and I find this especially interesting
and I find this especially interesting because my laboratory for a long time
because my laboratory for a long time has worked on behavioral interventions
has worked on behavioral interventions to reduce anxiety things like the
to reduce anxiety things like the physiological Psy which if you're not
physiological Psy which if you're not familiar with you can put physiological
familiar with you can put physiological PSI in my last name into YouTube and
PSI in my last name into YouTube and there's a demonstration of that it's a
there's a demonstration of that it's a breathing technique of two inhales
breathing technique of two inhales through the nose and a long exhale
through the nose and a long exhale through the mouth the lungs empty that
through the mouth the lungs empty that at this point in time we understand to
at this point in time we understand to be the fastest and most effective way to
be the fastest and most effective way to reduce one's levels of anxiety in real
reduce one's levels of anxiety in real time so it's two inhales through the
time so it's two inhales through the nose long to lungs empty exhale through
nose long to lungs empty exhale through the mouth
the mouth that's the physiological PSI
that's the physiological PSI earlier we talked about the fact that
earlier we talked about the fact that one of the main ways in which listening
one of the main ways in which listening to music shifts heart rate and increases
to music shifts heart rate and increases heart rate variability and thereby
heart rate variability and thereby positively shifts a number of different
positively shifts a number of different Health metrics is through shifts in
Health metrics is through shifts in breathing so I justify that brief
breathing so I justify that brief vignette about the physiological PSI as
vignette about the physiological PSI as within the general context of what we're
within the general context of what we're talking about today
talking about today in any event
in any event there are data that have explored
there are data that have explored whether or not specific musical stimuli
whether or not specific musical stimuli can be used to significantly reduce
can be used to significantly reduce anxiety in particular one published out
anxiety in particular one published out of the University of Pennsylvania and
of the University of Pennsylvania and I'll provide a link to the study in the
I'll provide a link to the study in the show note captions which shows that
show note captions which shows that people that listen to a particular song
people that listen to a particular song that I'll describe in a moment
that I'll describe in a moment experience up to 65 percent reductions
experience up to 65 percent reductions in their anxiety and that's a
in their anxiety and that's a significant reduction in anxiety and I
significant reduction in anxiety and I should point out that
should point out that 65 reduction in anxiety in this case was
65 reduction in anxiety in this case was accomplished with just three minutes of
accomplished with just three minutes of listening to this one particular song
listening to this one particular song and get this that particular song was as
and get this that particular song was as effective in reducing anxiety as one of
effective in reducing anxiety as one of the most commonly prescribed
the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines so what is this magical
benzodiazepines so what is this magical anxiety reducing song the title of the
anxiety reducing song the title of the song is weightless by Marconi Union
song is weightless by Marconi Union I hadn't heard of the song prior to
I hadn't heard of the song prior to researching this episode I did indeed
researching this episode I did indeed look up the song on YouTube and listen
look up the song on YouTube and listen to the song I will provide a link to the
to the song I will provide a link to the song in the show note captions I confess
song in the show note captions I confess that it is a very relaxing song I also
that it is a very relaxing song I also confessed that I was not experiencing
confessed that I was not experiencing anxiety when I listened to the song but
anxiety when I listened to the song but it was successful in reducing my level
it was successful in reducing my level of overall autonomic arousal I found
of overall autonomic arousal I found myself more relaxed Etc now of course
myself more relaxed Etc now of course what I'm describing in terms of my own
what I'm describing in terms of my own experience is not a peer-reviewed study
experience is not a peer-reviewed study it's what I would call anik data meaning
it's what I would call anik data meaning I'm just describing my experience but
I'm just describing my experience but again there are peer-reviewed studies
again there are peer-reviewed studies exploring how this particular song
exploring how this particular song shifts one's autonomic State and I think
shifts one's autonomic State and I think this three minutes of listening to this
this three minutes of listening to this one song should at least be Tried by
one song should at least be Tried by anyone that's trying to reduce their
anyone that's trying to reduce their anxiety Because unless you're listening
anxiety Because unless you're listening to the song in some way that I'm not
to the song in some way that I'm not aware of like excessively loud or
aware of like excessively loud or something of that sort I can't imagine
something of that sort I can't imagine how listening to the song would be
how listening to the song would be detrimental in any way and if you are
detrimental in any way and if you are anything like the subjects in the study
anything like the subjects in the study that they explored it could very well be
that they explored it could very well be beneficial and help you reduce your
beneficial and help you reduce your anxiety it's also something that you
anxiety it's also something that you could keep queued up in your phone or on
could keep queued up in your phone or on any device such that if you think you
any device such that if you think you may experience anxiety you just put your
may experience anxiety you just put your headphones in and listen to it you might
headphones in and listen to it you might be wondering whether or not Marconi
be wondering whether or not Marconi Union's weightless is only three minutes
Union's weightless is only three minutes long well I don't know the answer to
long well I don't know the answer to that because when you go on YouTube what
that because when you go on YouTube what you'll see is that clearly a number of
you'll see is that clearly a number of people are benefiting from listening to
people are benefiting from listening to the song to reduce their anxiety or at
the song to reduce their anxiety or at least that a number of people have
least that a number of people have listened to this song Because if you put
listened to this song Because if you put Marconi Union weightless into the search
Marconi Union weightless into the search function on YouTube what you'll quickly
function on YouTube what you'll quickly discover is that the top video has get
discover is that the top video has get this 47 million views and it's 10 hours
this 47 million views and it's 10 hours long now across today's episode it's
long now across today's episode it's been in the back of my mind that some of
been in the back of my mind that some of you out there perhaps are trained
you out there perhaps are trained musicians that you grew up playing an
musicians that you grew up playing an instrument perhaps sang in choir or at
instrument perhaps sang in choir or at school perhaps you played multiple
school perhaps you played multiple instruments perhaps you even know music
instruments perhaps you even know music theory whereas others such as myself
theory whereas others such as myself were encouraged to play an instrument
were encouraged to play an instrument when we were younger but then abandoned
when we were younger but then abandoned that instrument in fact I'll just tell
that instrument in fact I'll just tell you a brief story when I was a kid every
you a brief story when I was a kid every kid in school was required to pick an
kid in school was required to pick an instrument my parents for whatever
instrument my parents for whatever reason clearly they didn't ask me what I
reason clearly they didn't ask me what I want to do they asked me to play the
want to do they asked me to play the violin in school and I got the violin
violin in school and I got the violin started playing the violin I took the
started playing the violin I took the Suzuki method lessons this is where you
Suzuki method lessons this is where you don't learn to read music directly you
don't learn to read music directly you there's a number assignment to the
there's a number assignment to the different notes and that's initially how
different notes and that's initially how you learn I was also supposed to listen
you learn I was also supposed to listen to the songs while I slept this idea
to the songs while I slept this idea that some of the music and musical
that some of the music and musical learning could be encoded during sleep
learning could be encoded during sleep an interesting topic because there's
an interesting topic because there's actually some emerging evidence for that
actually some emerging evidence for that now but at the time as far as I know
now but at the time as far as I know there were no peer-reviewed studies but
there were no peer-reviewed studies but nonetheless it was thought that this
nonetheless it was thought that this works and perhaps it does well I can
works and perhaps it does well I can tell you one thing for sure it did not
tell you one thing for sure it did not work for me because I have one photo and
work for me because I have one photo and truly just one from a concert that I
truly just one from a concert that I played I must have been about eight or
played I must have been about eight or nine years old and within this photo
nine years old and within this photo what you'll notice is there's a gallery
what you'll notice is there's a gallery of children all with violins all of
of children all with violins all of whom's bows are up
whom's bows are up and my bow is down that in addition to
and my bow is down that in addition to the fact that my fly was open in the
the fact that my fly was open in the picture and the fact that every time I
picture and the fact that every time I played the violin either by practice or
played the violin either by practice or with the teacher present when we would
with the teacher present when we would go to these once a week
go to these once a week sessions with a individual teacher
sessions with a individual teacher people would cringe animals would cringe
people would cringe animals would cringe literally dogs would howl such that my
literally dogs would howl such that my parents
parents did not encourage me to continue playing
did not encourage me to continue playing in fact they and many others encouraged
in fact they and many others encouraged me to quit playing so I quit playing I
me to quit playing so I quit playing I confess I don't know how to play any
confess I don't know how to play any instrument I've attempted a few other
instrument I've attempted a few other instruments in my lifetime yes I believe
instruments in my lifetime yes I believe in neuroplasticity it is a Hallmark
in neuroplasticity it is a Hallmark feature of our brain our brain can learn
feature of our brain our brain can learn things even as adults but the point I've
things even as adults but the point I've tried to make here is that I am not of
tried to make here is that I am not of the category of kids that played an
the category of kids that played an instrument
instrument and understands music theory or how to
and understands music theory or how to read music I simply don't and I realize
read music I simply don't and I realize that those of you that are listening to
that those of you that are listening to this or watching this out there are
this or watching this out there are probably in a mixed category of
probably in a mixed category of proficiency all the way down to what I
proficiency all the way down to what I would consider my own relationship to
would consider my own relationship to music which is deficiency although I
music which is deficiency although I greatly enjoy listening to music and I
greatly enjoy listening to music and I do have a pretty good ability to
do have a pretty good ability to memorize lyrics
memorize lyrics in any event
in any event the reason I raise this is that there
the reason I raise this is that there are now dozens if not hundreds of
are now dozens if not hundreds of quality peer-reviewed studies using a
quality peer-reviewed studies using a variety of technical approaches that
variety of technical approaches that show that when children especially
show that when children especially children younger than eight
children younger than eight learn to play an instrument and even
learn to play an instrument and even better learn to play multiple
better learn to play multiple instruments
instruments regardless of whether or not they learn
regardless of whether or not they learn to read music that it leads to greatly
to read music that it leads to greatly enhanced connectivity within their brain
enhanced connectivity within their brain that persists into adulthood and that it
that persists into adulthood and that it facilitates other forms of
facilitates other forms of neuroplasticity and learning which is
neuroplasticity and learning which is basically to say that my brain very
basically to say that my brain very likely does not include these enhanced
likely does not include these enhanced circuits which circuits am I referring
circuits which circuits am I referring to well there are a number of different
to well there are a number of different circuits in the brain that have been
circuits in the brain that have been shown to expand when children learn how
shown to expand when children learn how to play an instrument as a child eight
to play an instrument as a child eight or younger and again eight isn't a
or younger and again eight isn't a strict cut off and I always have to
strict cut off and I always have to highlight this forgive the tangent but
highlight this forgive the tangent but when we say eight or younger I don't
when we say eight or younger I don't want people with nine-year-old children
want people with nine-year-old children or a 10 year old kid or even 16 year old
or a 10 year old kid or even 16 year old kid listening or even adult listening to
kid listening or even adult listening to think oh you know the window is shut for
think oh you know the window is shut for me because when one designs a study you
me because when one designs a study you have to have some thresholds who you
have to have some thresholds who you include and who you don't include and
include and who you don't include and some sometimes that leads to these kind
some sometimes that leads to these kind of artificial perceptions about where
of artificial perceptions about where the cutoffs are but in any event it's
the cutoffs are but in any event it's very clear that if you did learn an
very clear that if you did learn an instrument when you were young or
instrument when you were young or ideally even multiple instruments and
ideally even multiple instruments and even better would be to learn multiple
even better would be to learn multiple instruments and how to sing along with
instruments and how to sing along with instrumentals especially in an
instrumentals especially in an improvised manner
improvised manner well your brain has expanded
well your brain has expanded connectivity on average relative to
connectivity on average relative to children that did not have that
children that did not have that experience now the good news is that
experience now the good news is that learning how to play an instrument or
learning how to play an instrument or even thankfully for me
even thankfully for me listening to novel forms of music music
listening to novel forms of music music that you don't typically listen to for
that you don't typically listen to for 30 to 60 minutes per day and it doesn't
30 to 60 minutes per day and it doesn't have to be every day in fact it can even
have to be every day in fact it can even be just three days a week for 30 to 60
be just three days a week for 30 to 60 Minutes has been shown to expand brain
Minutes has been shown to expand brain connectivity in ways that of course
connectivity in ways that of course lends itself to better musical
lends itself to better musical comprehension and even performance but
comprehension and even performance but learning how to play a musical
learning how to play a musical instrument at any age as well as singing
instrument at any age as well as singing and singing especially with others in a
and singing especially with others in a group has been shown to enhance learning
group has been shown to enhance learning and the acquisition of new skills
and the acquisition of new skills separate from musical learning and
separate from musical learning and singing in other words it seems that
singing in other words it seems that learning how to play an instrument and
learning how to play an instrument and singing are a gateway to neuroplasticity
singing are a gateway to neuroplasticity and this is again supported by
and this is again supported by neuroimaging data some of the more
neuroimaging data some of the more striking of those data are that you know
striking of those data are that you know children that learn how to play one to
children that learn how to play one to three instruments when they were a kid
three instruments when they were a kid or that sang in a choir or a group or
or that sang in a choir or a group or that we're taught to sing solo for that
that we're taught to sing solo for that matter show up to 30 percent greater
matter show up to 30 percent greater connectivity within this particular
connectivity within this particular their brain Network that links the two
their brain Network that links the two hemispheres of the brain now as soon as
hemispheres of the brain now as soon as I say two hemispheres of the brain it
I say two hemispheres of the brain it starts drawing up a lot of ideas in
starts drawing up a lot of ideas in people's heads mainly derived from pop
people's heads mainly derived from pop psychology that you know there are
psychology that you know there are left-brained people and right brain
left-brained people and right brain people
people I've touched on this before but I want
I've touched on this before but I want to make this abundantly clear again now
to make this abundantly clear again now most of what you've heard about
most of what you've heard about so-called left-brained People Are
so-called left-brained People Are right-brained People is complete and
right-brained People is complete and total nonsense it's myth there are some
total nonsense it's myth there are some functions in the brain that are
functions in the brain that are lateralized to the left or the right
lateralized to the left or the right hemisphere in particular porosity they
hemisphere in particular porosity they start lilting and falling of speech and
start lilting and falling of speech and in singing is highly lateralized in the
in singing is highly lateralized in the brain other aspects of language can be
brain other aspects of language can be lateralized in the brain but really if
lateralized in the brain but really if you hear that certain people are more
you hear that certain people are more emotional or certain people are more
emotional or certain people are more logical based on right brain left brain
logical based on right brain left brain stuff that stuff is completely false
stuff that stuff is completely false it's complete garbage in fact it's not
it's complete garbage in fact it's not based in any real solid data so when I
based in any real solid data so when I say that learning an instrument or
say that learning an instrument or learning how to sing young or even as an
learning how to sing young or even as an adult is beneficial for increasing the
adult is beneficial for increasing the connectivity between the two sides of
connectivity between the two sides of the brain what that increased
the brain what that increased connectivity between the two sides of
connectivity between the two sides of the brain which is by the way mediated
the brain which is by the way mediated through a structure called the corpus
through a structure called the corpus callosum
callosum is not about enhancing one's emotional
is not about enhancing one's emotional capacity or logical capacity it's really
capacity or logical capacity it's really about increasing the capacity of all
about increasing the capacity of all brain circuits or at least the brain
brain circuits or at least the brain circuits that are connected up directly
circuits that are connected up directly with the corpus callosum which includes
with the corpus callosum which includes many brain circuits for things like
many brain circuits for things like cognition language learning speech
cognition language learning speech mathematics a lot of people don't
mathematics a lot of people don't realize this but a lot of musicians are
realize this but a lot of musicians are also especially Adept at mathematics and
also especially Adept at mathematics and for you musicians you're probably
for you musicians you're probably nodding of course right because the
nodding of course right because the music is grounded in theory that has
music is grounded in theory that has basis in math and in physics something
basis in math and in physics something that we will address in a future episode
that we will address in a future episode about harmonics Etc
about harmonics Etc when children or adults learn how to
when children or adults learn how to play a musical instrument or several or
play a musical instrument or several or how to sing and play musical instruments
how to sing and play musical instruments that increase connectivity in the corpus
that increase connectivity in the corpus callosum is essentially providing
callosum is essentially providing multiple highways of option for learning
multiple highways of option for learning all sorts of things so it's something
all sorts of things so it's something that I highly encourage so much so that
that I highly encourage so much so that I intend to finally finally learn how to
I intend to finally finally learn how to play an instrument I've got a particular
play an instrument I've got a particular instrument in mind that I've wanted to
instrument in mind that I've wanted to learn how to play for a very long time
learn how to play for a very long time but based on my prior experience with
but based on my prior experience with trying to learn an instrument and
trying to learn an instrument and because I like to consider myself a
because I like to consider myself a considerate person I intend to do this
considerate person I intend to do this more or less in isolation from people
more or less in isolation from people and indeed from animals as well and for
and indeed from animals as well and for those of you that don't have the time or
those of you that don't have the time or energy or desire to learn new forms of
energy or desire to learn new forms of Music you'll be perhaps delighted to
Music you'll be perhaps delighted to know that just listening to novel forms
know that just listening to novel forms of music and in particular when you
of music and in particular when you listen to novel forms of music and you
listen to novel forms of music and you pay attention to that music not just
pay attention to that music not just letting it play in the background that
letting it play in the background that too has been demonstrated to expand the
too has been demonstrated to expand the brain's capacity for neuroplasticity its
brain's capacity for neuroplasticity its ability to modify itself and make it
ability to modify itself and make it better at learning other sorts of things
better at learning other sorts of things both cognitive and physical so I highly
both cognitive and physical so I highly encourage you to listen to the music you
encourage you to listen to the music you love I certainly love to listen to the
love I certainly love to listen to the music that I Delight in and have for so
music that I Delight in and have for so many years but there's also strong
many years but there's also strong scientific support to encourage
scientific support to encourage listening to new forms of music that
listening to new forms of music that hopefully you will like but nonetheless
hopefully you will like but nonetheless the mere foraging for and listening to
the mere foraging for and listening to novel forms of Music itself seems to
novel forms of Music itself seems to activate brain circuitry in a way that
activate brain circuitry in a way that allows for Better Learning and
allows for Better Learning and comprehension of all sorts of things so
comprehension of all sorts of things so today we've been talking about music in
today we've been talking about music in the brain and I confess this is an
the brain and I confess this is an enormous topic so much so that I had to
enormous topic so much so that I had to discard with entire sets of data and
discard with entire sets of data and discussion around for instance the
discussion around for instance the mathematical structure of music and how
mathematical structure of music and how that relates to the mathematical
that relates to the mathematical structure of firing of neurons we
structure of firing of neurons we touched on this a little bit however in
touched on this a little bit however in the context of certain frequencies of
the context of certain frequencies of sounds that we hear creating certain
sounds that we hear creating certain frequencies of neuronal firing and
frequencies of neuronal firing and activation in the brain I mean just
activation in the brain I mean just think about that how amazing that is
think about that how amazing that is it's literally like the brain playing
it's literally like the brain playing your neurons like a piano this is not
your neurons like a piano this is not what happens when you smell a particular
what happens when you smell a particular odor or taste a particular taste or see
odor or taste a particular taste or see a particular face or visual stimulus
a particular face or visual stimulus incredible things happen within those
incredible things happen within those senses as well but there is something oh
senses as well but there is something oh so fundamental and incredible about
so fundamental and incredible about music and its ability to tap into our
music and its ability to tap into our neural circuitry and our neural
neural circuitry and our neural chemistry in ways that shift our
chemistry in ways that shift our emotional states and our motivational
emotional states and our motivational States so we talked about ways that
States so we talked about ways that music can be leveraged to shift our
music can be leveraged to shift our emotional and motivational States again
emotional and motivational States again not as a way to reduce music to its
not as a way to reduce music to its reductionist parts but rather to help us
reductionist parts but rather to help us gain understanding into how the brain
gain understanding into how the brain responds to music and how we can
responds to music and how we can leverage music of all kinds with and
leverage music of all kinds with and without lyrics how we can balance the
without lyrics how we can balance the contrast between music and silence to
contrast between music and silence to increase motivation and so on and so on
increase motivation and so on and so on for those of you that are interested in
for those of you that are interested in the more formal structure of music and
the more formal structure of music and how it relates to brain function and
how it relates to brain function and vice versa as well as for those of you
vice versa as well as for those of you that are interested in singing and
that are interested in singing and songwriting and more along the lines of
songwriting and more along the lines of lyrical content and how singing in
lyrical content and how singing in groups and how improvisation of singing
groups and how improvisation of singing and musical playing can impact brain
and musical playing can impact brain function and plasticity I promise you
function and plasticity I promise you there's going to be both an expert guest
there's going to be both an expert guest coming on the podcast to discuss that as
coming on the podcast to discuss that as well as a solo episode on those topics
well as a solo episode on those topics again the topic of music and the Brain
again the topic of music and the Brain being far too vast to cover in just one
being far too vast to cover in just one conversation with that said I hope that
conversation with that said I hope that today's discussion allowed for you to
today's discussion allowed for you to think about music differently hopefully
think about music differently hopefully it will lead you to listen to music a
it will lead you to listen to music a bit differently perhaps even leverage
bit differently perhaps even leverage music for different purposes in your
music for different purposes in your life and above all to think about music
life and above all to think about music and to enjoy music either listening to
and to enjoy music either listening to it or playing it or both because as you
it or playing it or both because as you now know music isn't just able to
now know music isn't just able to activate your brain but rather your
activate your brain but rather your brain contains vast amounts of real
brain contains vast amounts of real estate that are literally there to
estate that are literally there to listen to music if you're learning from
listen to music if you're learning from and or enjoying this podcast please
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and last but certainly not least thank you for your interest in science
you for your interest in science [Music]
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