Music and Its Effect on the Human Body

Music stimulates chief growth and productive function. It is instinct to make and enrapture medication in homo sapiens, it does not get wiped from memory by diseases like Parkinsons or Dementia, it was been known to financial aid children with ADHD and ADD settle attention, Charles Darwin and another(prenominal) specialists support the idea that it was apply to stand by us evolve and bond throughout our existence. Music is a way for people to transmit emotions, feelings, ideas, and indigence better than words evoke do almost as if it is our innate language.With exclusively these examples, it is impossible to deny the power of music and its positive influence on our mental movees. It is engraved in our biology to be moved by music, powered by its emotional force, and to stimulate our brains in ways that enforce experience and facilitate innate(p) mental processes. In 2008 archaeologists in Germany discovered the remains of a 35,000-year-old flute. (Zimmer 1) that discove ry is undeniable evidence that music existed long before organised civilization. Music is a part of our genealogy, we have used it as a tool to transmit thoughts before modern language was even thought to the highest degree.Charles Darwin theorized that humankind started u prate music as a way to attract mates, as a peacock shows off its feathers. Other specialists such as Dean Falk of the domesticate for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Ellen Dissanayake of the University of Washington at Seattle believe that music was used to soothe babies as well. The proper term for this biological process is called, motheresing. Just as mothers today, in all cultures, sing lullabies to soothe their young, primordial humans did the same. The way females motherese atomic number 18 similar in all cultures a quietly sung song with higher than normal speech, pitch, and slow tempo.These professionals speculate that once the essential elements were laid out and understood, adults be gan to make music for their own purpose as well. Robin Dunbar, a psychologist from the University of Oxford holds a third opinion, that music evolved as a way to bond together large groups. Just like order Primates bond with each other during grooming, primal humans did the same. Eventually, our groups became too large for grooming to remain effective music offered a practical solution. Large groups could sing together, soothe each other, bond, and vent extra emotions all in one procedure. This practice resembles a modern day concert.It is very reasonable to believe that all of these hypotheses are true because they all exist in evolved forms today. Biologically, music has scientifically proven effects as well. Research suggests that music releases endorphins that work as natural pain-k ill fortuneers. Carl Zimmer states Dunbar and his colleagues studied people who played music or danced together in church groups, samba classes, drumming circles, and the like. After the performanc es, the scientists made an indirect legal profession of the endorphin levels in the performers bodies, putting blood pressure cuffs on peoples arms and inflating them until the subjects complained of pain. Since endorphins kill pain, a higher pain threshold indicates elevated levels of the compounds. ) The researchers whence repeated the procedure with employees of a musical instrument store who listened passively to constant background music. People who actively moved their bodies to musicdancers, drummers, and so onhad elevated pain thresholds, but no such effect showed up among those who merely listened. (1) This could be another reason that music came into existence, to provide medical help before the days of modern medicine.Today, music therapy is used to help patients with Dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, attention deficit disorders, etc. it is used to improve communication, academic abilities, attention span, motor skills, and forethought of both pain and behavior just t o name a few others ( turner 2261-2271). The Center for InnerChange in the Denver suburb of Greenwood Village, promotes the idea that listening therapy, or some(prenominal) sessions of listening to music rich in high and low frequencies, can stimulate the brain enough to eliminate ADHD symptoms (Samuels 37).The Music for Life show uses the power of music to soothe and repair Dementia sufferers every day. By playing soothing music the patient relaxes, smiles, and in some cases communicates (Bredin 48). This medication, music, is free of grimace effects and extremely cost effective. One MP3 player costs less than any prescription of typical medication. Psychically, music therapy has numerous beneficial effects Judith Turner states in the Gale Encyclopedia on Medicine Brain function physically changes in response to music.The rhythm can guide the frame into live in slower, deeper patterns that have a calming effect. Heart rate and blood pressure are also responsive to the types of music that are listened to. The accelerate of the heartbeat tends to speed or slow depending on the volume and speed of the auditory stimulus. Louder and faster noises tend to raise both heart rate and blood pressure slower, softer, and more(prenominal) regular tones produce the opposite result. Music can also relieve muscle tension and improve motor skills. It is often used to help retrace physical patterning skills in rehabilitation clinics.Levels of endorphins, natural pain relievers, are increased while listening to music, and levels of stress hormones are decreased. This latter effect may partially explain the ability of music to improve immune function. A 1993 study at Michigan State University showed that even 15 minutes of exposure to music could increase interleukin-1 levels, a consequence which also heightens immunity. (2261-2271). Without doubt, one can say that music has important physical effects on the body and should be used as a natural supplement for both the g ood and the ill.To reduce anxiety, relax heart rate, and relieve pain through release of endorphins music is a superior choice (in comparison to drugs) to assist in medical endeavors. Mentally, music has numerous benefits as well. It heals the brain through enabling exercise of damaged lobes of the brain and releasing crucial. Autistic patients have shown particularly significant progress when aided with music therapy. Therapy with music is proven to aid in autistic patients communication, relationships with others, and improve their tuition skills.Cases with substance abuse, schizophrenia, paranoia, and personality disorders are aided with skills of social interaction, reality orientation, coping skills, stress reduction, and expression of feelings. (Turner 2261-2271). Although the effects of music therapy are countless, the simplicity of therapy is uncanny. Therapists analyze their patients conditions so choose a variety of techniques to provide the desired effects, then use mus ical endeavors such as singing, listening to instrumental music, composition, dancing and guided resourcefulness to help the patient cope with their affliction.Learning to play a musical instrument helps develop motor skills in individuals with developmental delays, brain injuries, or any other motor impairment while also exercising impulse control and group cooperation. Creative political campaign improves coordination, strengths, and even balance. Improvisation can help anyone say to express emotion through nonverbal means as well as encouraging socialization and communication of feelings. Singing can develop birdcall articulation, rhythm, and breathe control. For troke victims, remembering lyrics and/or melodies is an invaluable technique in healing their amygdala (the part of the brain that deals with memory and perception of auditory stimuli) a healthy amygdala also provides clearer speech and more effective communication. Getting out feelings is easily facilitated with mus ic. Composing lyrics and music assist in persisting through fears and banish feelings. Listening to music can also make people aware of memories or emotions that need to be acknowledged. Singing is also a similar method. point Imagery and Music (A.K. A. GIM) is a widely recognized technique developed by music therapist Helen Bonny. This technique utilizes music to invoke emotions, pictures, and symbols from the patient as a bridge to the exploration and expression of (often subliminal) feelings. (2261-2271). Further, Turner explains more of the possibilities of musical therapy in the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine Patients with brain damage from stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other neurologic conditions have been shown to exhibit significant improvement as a result of music therapy.This is theorized to be partially the result of entrainment, which is the synchronization of movement with the rhythm of the music. Consistent practice leads to gains in motor skill ability and effic iency. Cognitive processes and language skills often benefit from appropriate musical intervention. Pain, anxiety, and depression are major concerns with patients who are terminally ill, whether they are in hospice or not. Music can provide some relief from pain, through release of endorphins and promotion of relaxation.It can also provide an opportunity for the patient to reminisce and talk about the fears that are associated with death and dying. Music may help regulate the rapid breathing of a patient who is anxious, and soothe the mind. The Chalice of Repose project, headquartered at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, is one organization that attends and nurtures dying patients through the use of music, in a practice they called music-thanatology by developer Therese Schroeder-Sheker. Practitioners in this program work to relieve suffering through music prescribed for the individual patient. (2261-2271).Without a doubt, music affects the brain in some very dynamic ways. It has roots thousands of years old, evidence as being an important factor in human evolution, and substantial effects on people today. Rhythm and melody can heal the sick, provide aid in medical treatment, increase brain functioning in both the ill and the healthy, and influence mood to a significant degree. In conclusion, no matter what music someone is in to, it has a noteworthy effect on our body and brain. Works Cited Begley, Sharon. Music on the Mind Scientists are finding that the human brain is pre-wired for music.Could this sublime expression of culture be as much about biology as art? Newsweek 24 July 2000 50. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Sep. 2012. Bredin, Henrietta. Communicating through music Henrietta Bredin on how Music for Life can help overcome the isolation of dementia sufferers. Spectator 12 Dec. 2009 48+. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Sep. 2012. Dalrymple, Theodore. If music be the food of health. Spectator 10 Nov. 2007 51+. Opposing Viewp oints In Context. Web. 19 Sep. 2012. Samuels, Christina A. Attention Seekers Some parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder say alternatives such as brain exercises or music therapy are better than medication. Education Week 27 July 2005 37. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Sep. 2012. Turner, J. (2002). Music Therapy. In D. S. Blanchfield & J. L. Longe (Eds. ), The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (2nd ed. , Vol. 3, pp. 2269-2271). Detroit Gale. Zimmer, Carl. The Brain Is Music for Wooing, Mothering, Bondingor Is It Just Auditory Cheesecake? Discover Dec. 2010 28+. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 19 Sep. 2012.