TAVN Welcomes You

                                                      Health and Healing Through Music--Part I

 

The renowned British neurologist Oliver Sacks once wrote, “The imagining of music, even in relatively nonmusical people, tends to be remarkably faithful not only to the tune and feeling of the original but to its pitch and tempo. Underlying this is the extraordinary tenacity of musical memory, so much of what is heard during one's early years may be "engraved" on the brain for the rest of one's life. Our auditory systems, our nervous systems, are indeed exquisitely tuned for music.”

 

Sound vibrations are all around us and influence our behaviors and attitudes whether we’re aware of them or not. We can also consciously manipulate these vibrations through music and sound to set us on the right path, whether just how we wake up in the morning or finding the right gear for our daily exercise. Music can help make your day and night better, and there is a growing body of evidence in brain research about how music targets areas that enrich your mind, body and spirit. 

 

When the first notes hit your ears, your brain begins to release its neurochemicals; serotonin, endorphins, oxytocin, but especially dopamine, and right then and there something like happiness and pleasure starts to reward your system. 

 

Back in 1970, saxophonist Albert Ayler put out a record he entitled Music is the Healing Force in the Universe. This resonated with listeners and other musicians alike who felt intuitively that Ayler was correct.  

While music therapy has been a practicing discipline going back to the start of the 20th century, in the 50 years since Ayler’s record came out, science has been compiling data that concurs that there is healing power from music. The research grows and is more compelling every year.

 

Music and drum rhythms in particular are showing promise is treating patients with Parkinson’s disease. Creating beats together helps patients with overall quality of their lives and exercises physical mobility. In terms of cardiovascular health, music has emerged as a new tool for reducing stress, anxiety and even blood pressure. There is a growing interest in the impact music has on our brains and how it can benefit children with learning disabilities--giving them ‘a hook’ for their brains’ memory centers. Experimental studies looking at external stimuli’s effect on pain and tolerance level found that listening to self-selected music increased individuals’ tolerance for pain. 

 

More evidence of the healing forces at work can be found in the nucleus accumbens. It is here in the subcortical region of the brain that, in response to pleasurable aspects such as music, the accumbens release what is called the ‘dopamine reward pathway.’ This is essential for initiating and sustaining positive emotions like joy and happiness. 

 

Bulgarian psychologist, who specializes in music, Dimana Kardzhieva wrote: “Music was my profession, but it was also a special and deeply personal pursuit…Most importantly, it gave me a way to cope with life’s challenges, learning to channel my feelings and express them safely. Music taught me how to take my thoughts, both the pleasant and the painful ones, and turn them into something beautiful.”

 

If the music you hear on our two TAVN channels provide you with the kinds of comfort and relief described in this little summary, then we have done our work, and thank you for listening. There is more where that came from. Listen in good health!