WE GOT THE JAZZ – THE SCIENCE BEHIND MUSIC

Original Artwork by Designs By Otis G

It only takes seven seconds into the classic jazz song by The Dave Brubeck Quartet, “Take Five”, to hear the piano soothe your ears with avant-garde concepts for this particular classic soundscape to literally have a calming effect on the brain. How and why does music have such a presence to not just our ears but our physical body and, even more specifically, the effects on the brain? The science behind this simple but effective revelation is something that is very underrated. Listening to music to calm our nerves, ease our anxiety and help with our focus should be practiced on a daily basis, appreciated and celebrated.

The title of this article is named after one of my favorite songs released decades ago from a group called, A Tribe Called Quest, who merged elements of jazz, funk and soul with hip hop. The particular song called, “Jazz (We’ve Got)”, about a minute into the song, Q-Tip says:

“Then cool out to the music ‘cause it makes you feel serene, with the birds and the bees and all those groovy things, like getting stomach aches, when you gotta go to work, or staring into space when you’re feeling berserk”, chorus says, “We got the jazz, we got the jazz” over subtle horns and drums sounds.

When I listen to this classic song from the Golden Age of hip hop (1990's), it triggers my brain to move my head up and down, gets my inner hair cells' attention and positive thoughts of my youth flood my brain.

Music Illustration Art by DBOG

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE BEATS AND THE SOUNDS

These song examples are just two I used to explain how music has a great effect on our minds. Recent science researched this subject and elaborated on how music is not just a form of entertainment. A recent study called, Music, Mental Health, and Immunity, confirms that beats and sounds have an effect on our mental well being, saying:

“music can influence physiological processes that enhance physical and mental wellbeing”. It continues on saying, “studies on patients diagnosed with mental disorders have shown a visible improvement in their mental health after interventions using music as a primary tool.”

Another recent science-based article called, Your Brain On Music, elaborates on how certain areas of the brain responds to music. It elaborates on how music impacts brain function and how it has an effect on certain elements such as stress and anxiety and certain cognitive functions and favorable outcomes. In this report, a Neuroscientist, explains how music can light up parts of the brain such as the Frontal Lobe, (front area). Music can:

“enhance its functions” says Neuroscientist, Kiminobu Sugaya. Another part of the brain effected by music is, Wernicke’s Area, (middle area). We use this part to “enjoy music” and to “analyze” certain sounds.

The study continues looking at other parts of the brain like the Nucleus Accumbens, (middle area), the area of the brain that seeks reward and pleasure and releases/increases the neurotransmitter dopamine naturally when listening to music. Another section of the brain to highlight is the Hypothalamus (middle area), which alerts us when we are thirsty or hungry. Studies show that music such as the song examples from above, can help with “heart rate and blood pressure."

Middle part of the brain (Nucleus Accumbens) releases dopamine while listening to music

This report expands on certain things music can assist with that is certainly worthy of highlighting. Certain physical and health functions such as: bringing to mind good memories, assisting with your communication skills, aiding in repairing brain damage and making you feel stronger and smarter. And according to Sugaya and the research that has been found saying:

“music may increase neurogenesis in the brain”, the process where new neurons are formed in the brain.

SHOULD WE REEVALUATE WHY WE LISTEN TO MUSIC?

So, in short, music could be magical, helpful and an under-utilized tool as a key contributor for our mental health. Many people listen to music but do it for reasons such as an entertainment or leisure purposes. But a study called, The Psychological Functions of Music Listening, challenges us the benefits listening to music has on our everyday lives. Music can be an aid to “reduce social stress."

The study continues saying music can assist with “feelings of transcendence” and can “put us somewhere else” and help with memories, experiences, emotions and certain moods. Music is so much more than other media forms where it helps with boredom or the passing of time. Music is so much more, it can help with our emotional, social, physiological, and cognitive functions studies and researchers are now theorizing. I am very curious about what research is articulating now after certain feelings music has had on my past.

And even better news, the grey matter in our brain doesn’t care about preferences, styles or certain types of genres. It has to do more with your specific background, your own unique journey, “emotional memories” and not whether it’s jazz, hip-hop, soul or rock ‘n’ roll.  Just go listen to your favorite songs. To end this article, quoting a great band, The O’Jays, a song called, “I Love Music”, lyrics saying:

“I love music, any kind of music, I love music, just as long as it’s groovin’, makes me laugh, makes smile all the while."

Celebrate & Appreciate the Science Behind Music, Read more at: BreatheandEatChocolate.ORG

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