Mood Music

1. Mood Music Alena Holbert

2. Introduction So, music has an affect on the brain…obviously. Well what exactly can it do for us? It can activate all regions of our brain, depending on the music. So what can that do for us? Well our mood depends on our brain, so maybe music can change how we feel.

3. What If You Can’t Sleep? Music has also been known to help aid with falling asleep. We all have those restless nights where, no matter what, we can’t seem to fall asleep. You may be thinking too much about what’s bothering you. Well have you ever tried music? Try listening to this and see how you feel afterwards. For more effect, listen to it with your eyes closed. If you’d like, record your heart rate right now. Click to listen

4. So…Now What Happened? Pretty relaxing huh? Did you find yourself somewhat living in your mind? Forgetting about everything around you? That’s a normal reaction. This is because music can tap into our whole brain and provide a temporary distraction. Obviously, this music had a slower tempo, or speed. Test your heart rate again; is it slower than before? That’s because your pulse slowed to match the music. So how can this help you sleep, or at least calm down? We often stress because we let our thoughts control us and you end up having tons of thoughts bouncing around in your mind. Music will give your mind something else to focus on, whether you want it to or not.

5. Energy Well you might be a little tired now so, getting some more energy might help you out. We all have those times when we’re just to tired to do anything. By tired, I’m talking like those times when you can’t get anything done. Maybe music can help with this… listen to this song and see how you feel after.

6. What Just Happened? What you just listened to may have just increased your energy, and maybe you even found yourself moving to the beat! But why is that? Our heart rate will speed or slow down, depending on the frequency, volume and tempo of the music. While it may not match the beat, it is definitely influenced. Many studies are done examining this; In all of them, the group listening to louder and faster music had faster heart rates. In fact, if you’d like go back and listen again. When the music speeds up, does your heart rate do the same? What about when it slows down? This can lead to higher energy levels.

7. Feeling Down? Having a bad day? Music may be the solution. Try listening to some of these:

8. Happier? So, how do you feel now? Are you in a better mood then you were before? The music has a somewhat light, almost bouncy feel to it. However, for most people it will also trigger an area in the brain called the corpus striatum. The corpus striatum consists of the basal nucleus and the inner capsule. The basal nucleus is full of chemicals called dopamine and endorphins. When music plays, these chemicals are released. Dopamine, or the “feel good” chemical, controls the brains pleasure and reward centers, and they’re activated with surges of dopamine. Dopamine is also known for addiction and motivation, explaining why sometimes we get addicted to music as others will get addicted to food or drugs…music just isn’t as harmful. Endorphins work almost like a pain killer. They diminish the perception of pain, both mental and physical. These two reactions work together to change the sorrow into happiness.

9. Sources http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress/000930 http://hs.riverdale.k12.or.us/~dthompso/exhib_03/jasonc/Music's_Affects_on_the_Human_Body.html http://news.discovery.com/human/psychology/music-dopamine-happiness-brain-110110.htm http://soundscapemusictherapy.com/2012/11/01/can-music-help-me-sleep/ http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/07/04/add-music-to-your-workflow-to-improve-results/