Music: Mega-vitamin for the brain

More great news for those who listen to music, and even better news for those who make it!

This article points out several health benefits of music, some of which are increased or only available if you’re making the music. Here’s a particularly interesting nugget:

Researchers in Finland have demonstrated that listening to music for several hours a day can enhance the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

In another study, stroke patients who were taught to play the piano or drums made speedier progress in their general recovery than patients who received only traditional therapy.

Think how much shorter their recovery times would have been if they hadn’t had to carry their piano or drums to lessons and rehearsals. 

Seriously though, singing or playing music wasn’t an activity that most of these folks sought out as we have; it was something that was offered or suggested to them. And while it’s likely that some of them have come to love their music, I wonder how much more benefit it provides to someone who already plays and has established a deep connection with the music they are making?

We always knew music was good for the “whole person”, but more and more, we see measurable benefits in the physical body…and especially the brain. To paraphrase a line from an old musical, it really doesn’t change anything…but it’s nice to know.

Please share your thoughts in a comment! And in the meantime, go break out your instrument of choice and form some new neural pathways. Your brain will thank you for it.

Keep playing,

Mark

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