Music: The New Drug Of Choice | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Music: The New Drug Of Choice

The many health benefits of music.

13
Music: The New Drug Of Choice

Whether it’s heavy metal or soft jazz, music has a way of intertwining with and even manipulating our emotions. Music is such a crucial part of culture and life around the world. However, there’s so much more to music than meets the eye.

 

After years of a sharp decline on music programs in schools, many school districts are bringing back the classes that they once cut. Listening to music causes the majority of students work better. Musical education helps students get into better colleges and students involved in music programs tend to achieve better grades overall than their non-musical peers. Also, students who perform music or frequently listen to music while the work and study tend to be less stressed. For these reasons, and many more, schools have returned funding to their music departments and performing arts schools are popping up all over the nation.

 

Music has been scientifically proven to have health benefits. Studies suggest that music can be used to treat pain, depression and possibly even Alzheimer’s. Music is extremely influential in therapy for stress management because of its ability affect people both mentally and physically. Trained professionals use techniques like biofeedback and guided imagery to help patients who struggle with stress, memory and other disorders.

 

Music can reduce one’s stress and anxiety and further promote relaxation, especially when paired with other therapeutic techniques. In fact, because music is mainly processed in nonverbal areas of the brain, it proves to be more effective at soothing a patient than verbal stimuli.

 

“The Mozart Effect” is the ability of music to improve learning and memory. Scientists at the University of California at Irvine found that students had higher test scores when listening to classical music, rather than a relaxation tape or silence. Studies like this suggest that music is tied to the same parts of the brain that process memories. Finding like this led to music, especially classical music, being used to help those suffering of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It has been found that musical aptitude and music appreciation are two of the last remaining abilities in these patients. Therefore, music becomes the last bridge of communication with them.

 

Overall, music can be an emotional outlet and improve one’s cognitive abilities. Music is instrumental in helping those who suffer from stress, depression, Alzheimer’s, among other things. Without music, the world would not only be dull, but less cognitively sound.

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”
-Victor Hugo
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

144811
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

35520
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

31597
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments