Music affects us.

Music will not get rid of all health problems, but it will help to improve mood, fight stress and cope with pain. 1. Stimulates simultaneously different areas of the brain The brain processes sounds in the auditory cortex. It's in the temporal lobe. Signals reach here through the ears, are converted into information and cause some kind of reaction. For example, when we hear a sudden horn of a car, we reflexively look around because we expect danger. Music is no exception. But, unlike noise, when listening, other parts of the brain are connected, which are far from solving purely sound problems. It affects, among other things, the areas responsible for emotions, memory and movement. Because of the latter, for example, people begin to sway to the beat of music. And goosebumps from songs appear from the fact that at this time the same parts of the brain that are responsible for the pleasure of sex and tasty food are connected. In addition, music is a good trainer for the brain. It constantly compares signals from the environment and makes predictions. When listening to music, the brain habitually builds guesses: it anticipates the next note and tries to track patterns in the rhythm. As a rule, compositions are complexly structured and constantly throw surprises. This applies to seemingly simple pop music: different sound effects, pace, a lot of instruments, vocals – the brain has something to do. When guesses are justified, reward systems work. This also happens when predictions fail. And at that point, you admit to yourself that the song is hooked, and you add it to your playlist. 2. In the human brain, there is a mechanism of empathy. The mirror neural system is responsible for this process. Because of it, in particular, when we see a person who is sad, we experience similar emotions. This same mechanism allows people to adopt the mood inherent in musical composition. In addition, the brain is able to distinguish between minor and major melody. Studies show that people feel happier with a fun song. But this does not mean that you need to exclude all sad ballads from the playlist. They are also able to bring pleasure and allow you to painlessly throw out negative emotions. The same effect is observed when listening to heavy rock.

And, for example, at a live concert, mirror neurons can read both the effect of music and the energy of other people. Therefore, if you feel that you need to seriously recharge the internal battery, you can go to a performance. In Moscow recently opened a new music space for 7 million people VK STADIUM: it promises to hold up to a hundred events a year. In between concerts, you can listen to a playlist on VK Music: the service organized several projects with stars and more than a hundred artists collected personal selections with their favorite songs. 3. Helps fight stress The level of stress responds to the hormone cortisol. It in conjunction with the sympathetic nervous system triggers many physiological reactions, for example, speeds up the pulse, increases pressure and contributes to the production of adrenaline. Music can help fight stress, regardless of genre. First, it lowers cortisol levels. Secondly, it helps to distract from negative events and thoughts. Coupled with the ability to regulate emotions through reward mechanisms, melodies do bring relief. Another study assessing the effects of music on people in fast food cafes found that it may protect against overeating, which is also a marker of stress. When looking for music to prevent stress, it’s important to choose a tune with the right rhythm. Sensation of rhythm is a biological process occurring in the brain stem. Humans tend to synchronize with repeated signals. Because of this, for example, on a walk, a person sooner or later begins to walk in time with his partner. Songs also pass through the brainstem, so you can listen to a calm melody to calm down. Some studies have found that listening to music can be a good addition to treating depression and anxiety.