Music: a powerful social tool

At Attuned Health we know that music has a profound effect on the brain. We where thrilled to see this recent research helping us understand the neurological benefits of making music with other people in particular. The study found making music with others influences our:

🎵Empathy circuits

empathy helps us to tune into how other people are thinking and feeling, and can improve interpersonal connections.

🎵Oxytocin secretion

Sometimes called the “love hormone”, oxytocin contributes to our sense of feeling socially bonded with others.

🎵Reward and motivation including dopamine release

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that produces a sense of pleasure and is released during musical anticipation and expectation. It is pivotal for our sense of reward and motivation.

🎵Language structures

Sometimes referred to as “call” and “response” the back and forth nature or dialogue structure of music engages the brains language structures.

🎵Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone that contributes to us feeling stressed. The good news is it is decreased when people sing together and when they listen to music in groups.

The authors conclude that “music is a powerful tool that can bring individuals together, promote empathy and communication, and heal social divisions. They highlight that music isn’t mere entertainment, but instead is a core feature of human existence with important social implications.”

Music is certainly a powerful tool and in music therapy we use it intentionally to help you achieve your health and wellbeing goals. Learn more here or reach out to book your initial consultation.