Page 44 - NAMAH-Jul-2021

Namah Vol. 29, Issue 2, 15th July 2021

the response of psychological needs, such as music induced physiological changes and
emotional functions (e.g., mood regulation, is associated with increased activation in the
pleasure, relaxation), issues of identity and be- core emotion network, including amygdala,
longing is based high in the choices of music. hippocampus and in mesolimbic striatal
regions associated with dopamine release
Research and promotes brain plasticity. Furthermore,
music promotes positive emotions and
Lai and Good describe that listening to modulates the level of relaxation, motivation
forty-five minutes of relaxing music at and pleasure, thus increasing holistic well-
bedtime improves sleep quality, duration being and social connection. Indeed, music
and efficiency, thus reducing daytime stimulation increases and preserves not only
dysfunctions in a group of older adults grey matter but also brain-connectivity, usually
with sleeping disorders(1). Listening to impaired by ageing processes. They ultimately
good music before going to sleep reduces focus on musically-inclined activities as a
older adults’ depression levels together with powerful tool in fighting against ageing-related
stabilising the heart rate, blood pressure and emotional and cognitive impairments. In 1999,
respiratory rate. Beyond listening to music, the first brain-imaging studies focusing on
practising a musical activity or attending emotions in music were documented by
music therapy sessions can significantly Blood, Zatorre, Bermudez and Evans. Here
contribute to health and emotional well- they used positron emission tomography to
being. Some studies suggest that playing examine cerebral blood-flow (CBF) changes
musical instruments, participation in community related to affective responses to music (2).
group-recitals and taking active participation in
any musical activity resulted in lower levels Neuro-chemical responses to music
of depression, more positive mood states,
better quality of life, and social interactions, Michael H. Thaut and Donald A. Hodges
when compared to other leisure activities. in their book, The Oxford Handbook of Music
and the Brain described the effects of neuro-
chemical responses to music with the help
of various research papers. They divided the
neuro-chemical responses in seven specific
systems in the brain. Knowledge of these
responses and neurochemical functions might
help therapists and mental health professionals
to uncover more significant effects of music
in various brain functions and help them to
understand brain pathology in a better way.
With the help of neuro-imaging techniques
and peripheral bio-markers, these music-
The brain mechanism induced effects can be objectively assessed (3).

The stimulation and emotional power of • Dopamine System

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