“Singing, dancing, listening to music, and playing music can all add years to your life and life to your years.” – D Alban

We intuitively know what scientists are now proving – that music helps you remember, get smarter, and live longer.

Let’s take a look at how music helps us remember, how music is being used to rehabilitate the brain, and how it can lead to a longer, happier life. Plus, we’ve got two fun videos that will have you dancing in the aisles!

Music Is in Our Genes

All cultures have music. The oldest known musical instrument is a 40,000 year old flute carved from a bone.

Music has been universally used to help people remember language and stories significant to that culture. A remnant of that is teaching our children nursery rhymes.

It appears we are genetically programmed to respond to music. Babies in the womb react differently to music they like and don’t like.

Young brains that are exposed to music build more neural pathways, possibly leading to higher intelligence. One popular study found listening to Mozart led to higher scores on intelligence tests.

Findings like this led to a theory called the “Mozart effect”. Playing Mozart to babies before and after birth was believed to make them smarter. While this concept has fallen out of favor with the scientific community, many people are still convinced of its worth.

How Music Effects the Brain

Listening to music is complicated. It’s said to be one of the few activities that requires using both sides of the brain simultaneously.

The creative right side of the brain resonates with the melody, harmony, and pitch, while the left side analyzes changes in frequency, rhythm, and intensity.

We play music and then the music plays us, bringing our emotions to the surface.

Listening to music can lead to improved focus, memory and attention, language skills, and physical coordination. Continue reading →