Music as therapy: art that heals

Imagine our Neanderthal ancestors humming a tune to calm their babies or using the musicality of their voice to make them fall in love. They already knew that one of the best ways to establish bonds and maintain cohesion was through group singing.

Current research confirms this: After a test, an increase in oxytocin levels is detected, which translates into behavioral and emotional states of greater trust, well-being, friendship and relationship among all members of the group.

The human being is a sonorous and musical being. For some reason, possibly evolutionary, we are sensitive to this range of vibrations, vital for communication and relationships.

How music affects us?

To understand how it works and what effects it produces, we have to be aware of its physical and vibrational origin. What we define as “music” is nothing more than the result of a brain perception from the decoding and subsequent interpretation of nervous or bioelectric information.

A musician does not generate music but acoustic vibrations. It is a very physical vision, I am aware of it, but in reality, our auditory system will be in charge of translating them into nerve impulses so that the brain can interpret them as music in just a few tenths of a second.

Although there may be more or less universal patterns, the effects of music on people are individual, since they are modulated by the characteristics of each one. For this reason, when we want to use music as a therapeutic instrument, it must be personalized.

So we feel its effects

We know that there are two different ways and simultaneous reception and capture of acoustic energy. Depending on the characteristics of the initial excitation (rate of variation or frequency, minimum acoustic power…) one or the other will prevail, although they are simultaneous:

• Through the auditory system

It is “designed” to convert acoustic information into nerve impulses that, through the auditory nerve and via the thalamus, are conducted to different areas of the brain for interpretation. This perception originates a biochemical response that is modulated by our individual characteristics (genetics, experiences, environment, culture).

Neuroimaging studies show that new neural connections are establishedthe levels of neurotransmitters are modified, certain glands that affect the production of hormones are activated… All of this has its repercussions on our physiological constants, on our state of mind and, also, on our cognitive abilities.

• Through the skin

Acoustic energy also impacts directly on our body. Depending on the density of the tissues and the physical characteristics of the excitation (frequency and power), a part of that energy will propagate to our tissues, organs, bones and cells, and may affect their metabolic processes.

The most immediate effects, however, are those produced by those vibrations generated in direct contact with the skin, which stimulate the nerve receptors.

Physical and emotional effects

We should not underestimate or trivialize the therapeutic potential of music. It is so capable and powerful that simple daily listening for six months improves cognitive aspects in people recovering from brain damage caused by a stroke (Särkämo, 2008).

Sound and musical stimuli affect us in all our integrity: physically, emotionally, cognitively and even spiritually.

At the beginning of the 20th century, it was verified how our physiological rhythms are synchronized with the rhythm and musical tempo

It’s an easy test: we measure our heart rate and respiratory rate, listen to music for 15 minutes and do the measurements again.

They will increase if the music is dynamic (high volume, marked rhythm, high tempo…). Internal rhythms will decrease if, on the contrary, the parameters are opposite (lower volume, little rhythm, slow tempo…), our agency will accuse you.

These physiological variations may have repercussions at other levels, affecting our behavior, emotions and cognitive functions.

Although, if this were so simple, we would act like pure automata, since our response would be conditioned solely by the intrinsic characteristics of the musical stimuli. And, in reality, it is not so.

The final answer is conditioned by our genetic inheritance, by our experiences or previous experiences, by memories, by the cultural environment in which we have grown… All this has generated our personal tastes, the patterns that make up our personality. Let’s remember that we are unique beings.

7 tricks to harness your musical powers

Music is a therapeutic resource available to all of us and even then we do not usually take it into account. With it we recover our lost calm, but we also revive our spirits. Your company will improve our life.

1. Don’t underestimate her

Music is not a neutral tool: It can benefit us or harm us. It all depends on how you use it.

2. Dare to sing

The voice is your best musical instrument, the most perfect and the most economical. She accompanies you permanently and you just have to tune her. You already know the saying: “Whoever sings his evils is frightening”. You will be surprised at the effects it produces on other people.

3. Let me calm you down

in stressful situations or in times of decline, spend a few minutes placidly listening to those works that you know will give you what you need. Take your time.

4. Use it to activate yourself

It is a mechanism against laziness. If you plan to go for a run but you feel reluctance…, put on some headphones and connect the player. Without realizing it, you will be finishing the session, brimming with endorphins and satisfied with your decision.

5. Dance

Move without prejudice or shame. When we connect music with our body, we can discover ourselves as rhythmic and expressive beings. Beyond making it better or worse, we can find a healing tool.

6. Make her your partner

Connect to your favorite music. For a few minutes, your neurons will be energized and your brain will be flooded with chemical messengers that will give you a feeling of fullness and well-being.

7. Also enjoy the silence.

Do not forget that it is part of the music. During those periods, our heart relaxes.