Your Brain on Music: How Tunes Can Impact Your Mind

Music can impact your physical and mental health.

Learn how music can impact your physical and mental health, memory, emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. 

When you hear a song you love, it can scratch just the right kind of itch in the back of your brain. Whether it’s the Jurassic Park theme song from John Williams or the latest and greatest from Taylor Swift, the music we listen to has the power to pump up our creativity and jumpstart the cells in our brains.

In this article, Endovascular neurosurgeon Farah Fourcand, MD, explains how music impacts the brain and how it can actually help heal it as well.

“Music is a very primal thing,” says Dr. Fourcand. “By arousing or activating various parts of your brain, music can impact your physical and mental health, memory, emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. It can help improve your mood, reduce stress, and enhance your memory.”

Music impacts nearly every part of your brain, including:

·  Your limbic system, which contains your hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus. When activated, this area of your brain helps regulate your emotional response to music.

·  Your cerebral cortex (or gray matter) houses your motor cortex, which, when activated, triggers your body to dance and move to the rhythm of music.

Cognitive Functions

Music activates parts of your brain that help:

·  Preserve and improve memory

·  Enhance creativity

·  Improve attention, focus, and concentration

·  Decrease reaction time

·  Improve spatial reasoning (the ability to visualize or imagine 2D and 3D objects mentally)

·   Promote brain development in children and adults

“Your hippocampus holds all of your memories, and your limbic system is responsible for emotion, pleasure, and reward,” explains Dr. Fourcand. “When these areas are activated, it gives you a sense of nostalgia.”

For example, if there’s a song that resonated with you as a teenager, and you hear it again 20 or 30 years later, your hippocampus and limbic system create a nostalgic memory. That’s why you experience that same rush of emotions you once had when you heard the song for the first time or during an important moment from your past.

Researchers have also discovered that rapid modulation — or quick changes in key and tone — within a single piece of music can help you stay focused and complete tasks more efficiently. That’s because music activates your frontal lobe and prefrontal cortex, which are responsible for judgment and self-control. So, background noise can be helpful for anyone who’s unmotivated or distracted, especially those living with ADHD.

“People with ADHD sometimes need external stimuli to be able to focus, and music can help them strike a balance by giving them just enough arousal,” further explains Dr. Fourcand.

“The potential downside is that something that’s overstimulating can just as easily negatively trigger them and cause their mind to wander, so people with ADHD will have to play with it and test out different kinds of music to see what works best to help them focus.”

Physical Benefits

Music also has many physical benefits. It can:

·  Decrease cortisol levels

·  Lower heart rate and blood pressure

·  Motivate your body to move

·  Create new neural connections and increase neuroplasticity 

The triggering of your motor cortex and muscle memory is what causes you to subconsciously tap your foot or move to the beat of the music. In fact, music is so effective in motivating your body to move that it can positively impact people who’ve had traumatic brain injuries.

“Sometimes, music and song activate so many parts of your brain that you can see a person with Alzheimer’s disease recite a song and remember the song perfectly,” she continues. “You can see someone with aphasia express themselves. It’s really beautiful.”

Emotional and Psychological Effects

Our emotional responses to music are triggered by the amygdala, which plays a crucial role in emotional regulation and the formation of emotional memories.

We all feel and express our emotions in different ways, so it’s no wonder some of us love to listen to sad songs and still find the same satisfaction as those who prefer listening to more upbeat music. It’s ultimately not about the content of the song itself, but the kind of hedonic motives (or arousal) music evokes in us.

“Everybody has their own collection of experiences and things they’re comfortable feeling and places they’re comfortable going,” illustrates Dr. Fourcand. “Some people thrive in chaos, and some people need a lot of positivity. Whatever you vibe with your mind will make these associations in your amygdala and your limbic system.”

As a result, music can:

·  Trigger emotional responses

·  Reduce stress and anxiety

·  Facilitate emotional processing

·  Help communicate difficult emotions

·  Regulate mood

SOURCE: Board Member Anita Chadwick / CommunityONE Newsletter, September 24, 2025

Are Recruiters in Tune? An Education in Music Makes You a Better Employee.

Seeing “musician” on a résumé may not initially evoke thoughts of a stellar employee or exceptional leader. Instead, many imagine a rebellious rock star or someone struggling financially, wishing they had pursued a “real job.” However, musicians’ skillsets are far more transferable to professional workplaces than stereotypes suggest.

Many musicians work dual careers, balancing arts and non-arts roles for financial stability. A nationwide survey aimed to uncover just how well music education equips individuals for various workplaces. Preliminary interviews with dual-career musicians revealed that their musical background instilled unique and highly desirable workplace skills—validated by their non-musician colleagues.

Practice Makes Perfect

One of the most influential traits developed through music education is professionalism. In fact, 85% of survey participants cited professionalism as key to both self-expectations and work quality. This reflects the discipline musicians learn through rigorous rehearsal routines, where “early is on time, on time is late.”

Other commonly reported strengths were autonomy, resilience, perseverance, and creativity. Learning an instrument demands focused attention, discipline, and intrinsic motivation over time—traits highly valuable in today’s screen-dominated world, which often disrupts concentration and productivity.

Creativity also emerged as a standout trait, especially among jazz musicians and composers. Some studies even suggest that musicians have more neuronal matter, potentially enhancing brain activity and out-of-the-box thinking.

Teamwork and Leadership Skills

Ensemble work—whether in bands, orchestras, or chamber groups—translates directly to teamwork in the workplace. Survey respondents emphasized that these experiences taught them how to contribute to something larger than themselves.

Musical training fosters diversity appreciation, inclusivity, deep listening, respectful communication, and leadership skills. Several respondents noted that a passion for music also improved their mental health, resilience, and workplace morale. Their co-workers reported feeling energized and inspired by their musically trained colleagues.

Growth Mindset and Adaptability

Musicians’ healthy relationship with failure stood out in the survey. They embraced curiosity, learned from mistakes, and saw failure as an opportunity to improve—an attitude that’s invaluable in the workplace. This mindset also made it easier for musicians to acquire new skills. Many respondents had pursued further education or learned on the job to adapt to new careers.

Their live performance experience made them comfortable working under pressure, whether delivering presentations, managing deadlines, or leading projects. Musicians’ “the show must go on” mentality equipped them with resilience and adaptability in high-stress situations.

Co-workers validated these qualities, identifying musicians as having strong work ethics, high intelligence, initiative, and professionalism.

Musicians Across Industries

Survey participants were employed across various industries, including health, science, law, business, finance, technology, academia, transportation, government, and more. Many held leadership roles. The findings suggest hiring musicians may increase workplace productivity, innovation, and profitability.

Lessons for Educators and Policymakers

Music education nurtures skills relevant to many fields beyond the arts. However, the decline of school music programs and a greater emphasis on STEM over the arts threatens this development. Including musical skills in a National Skills Passport and ensuring widespread access to music education could be critical for future workforce success.

The next life-changing innovation may just come from a musician. Recruiters should take note.

SOURCE: The Conversation | April 14, 2024

Diana Tolmie

Senior Lecturer of Professional Practice, Griffith University

https://theconversation.com/an-education-in-music-makes-you-a-better-employee-are-recruiters-in-tune-226960

Musicians Bring Exemplary Skills to the Workplace

In a world where the value of a college degree is constantly scrutinized, it's refreshing to see a study shedding light on the often-overlooked benefits of a music education. Diana Tolmie, a Senior Lecturer of Professional Practice at Griffith University, embarked on a nationwide survey to explore how musicians leverage their skills in non-arts professions. The results? Surprisingly positive.

Tolmie's research revealed that musicians possess a unique skill set that seamlessly translates to various workplaces. Through in-depth interviews and surveys, she found that musicians, particularly those engaged in dual careers, exhibit traits highly valued by employers. These include professionalism, autonomy, resilience, creativity, and teamwork.

The foundation of these skills lies in the discipline and focus required to master an instrument over time. Whether it's showing up early for rehearsals or embracing failure as a learning opportunity, musicians demonstrate a level of commitment and adaptability that sets them apart in the professional world.

Moreover, ensemble work, such as playing in bands or orchestras, fosters collaboration and enhances interpersonal skills. Musicians learn to appreciate diversity, lead effectively, and navigate difficult conversations within a team—a testament to the holistic nature of music education.

Interestingly, Tolmie's research also highlights the positive impact of music on mental health and workplace morale. Musicians' passion for their craft translates into a positive energy that uplifts their colleagues and contributes to a vibrant work environment.

Perhaps most importantly, Tolmie emphasizes the need for educators and policymakers to recognize the value of music education beyond the arts. As school music programs face decline and tertiary education prioritizes STEM over the arts, there's a risk of neglecting a rich source of talent and innovation.

Tolmie advocates integrating music skills into national skills frameworks and ensuring access to quality music education for all students. By doing so, we not only empower aspiring musicians but also nurture a workforce equipped with essential skills for the future.

In conclusion, Tolmie's research challenges conventional stereotypes and underscores the importance of music education in shaping well-rounded individuals who thrive in diverse professional settings. As recruiters and employers reconsider their hiring criteria, it's time to tune in to the potential of musicians as valuable assets in any organization.

Click here to view this Article’s The Conversation SOURCE.