Music and Neuroplasticity: Rewiring Your Brain for … · MUSIC AND NEUROPLASTICITY: REWIRING YOUR BRAIN FOR ... •Symphony No. 34 in C Major –Mozart ... •I’m Yours –Jason

MUSIC AND NEUROPLASTICITY: REWIRING YOUR BRAIN FOR RELAXATIONLESLIE SAULSBURY, MT-BC/L

OBJECTIVES

• List three concepts in neuroplasticity that explain why music can help us relax.

• Provide one example of how to use music to support the discussed concepts of

neuroplasticity for relaxation.

HOW IS MUSIC PROCESSED IN THE BRAIN?

• Eight functions in the brain that music

can influence.

• 1. Motor movement planning

• 2. Motor movement

• 3. Language comprehension

• 4. Language production

• 5. Attention

• 6. Memory

• 7. Emotional Regulation

• 8. Sensory Processing

HOW IS MUSIC PROCESSED IN THE BRAIN

• Motor movement planning

Premotor Cortex

• Motor movement

Primary Motor Cortex

HOW IS MUSIC PROCESSED IN THE BRAIN

• Language Comprehension

Posterior Superior Temporal Gyrus

• Language Production

Inferior Frontal Gyrus

HOW IS MUSIC PROCESSED IN THE BRAIN

• Attention

Many areas

• Memory

Limbic system

HOW IS MUSIC PROCESSED IN THE BRAIN

• Emotional Regulation

Amygdala

• Sensory Processing

Lateral Postcentral Gyrus

HOW IS MUSIC PROCESSED IN THE BRAIN

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

• Music is a superhighway to neuroplastic learning and rehabilitation.

WHAT IS NEUROPLASTICITY?

• Forming new neural connections, and pruning existing neural connections.

• The arrangement of the areas of the brain that respond to different stimuli

can change in response to altered circumstances.

• Makes it possible to learn new behaviors and retain them as well as re-learn

lost behaviors.

MUSIC AND NEUROPLASTICITY

• Dopamine plays a role in neuroplasticity.

• Listening to music stimulates the release of dopamine.

• Music stimulates the same neural network that is involved in reinforcement

learning and reward.

MUSIC AND NEUROPLASTICITY

• Music serves as the reward and motivation!

• By pairing the music with a non-music task, dopamine is released during both

• As a result, the synaptic connections may be strengthened by LTP which is

mediated by dopamine.

• This ultimately leads to the learning of a new task/behavior from the music

reward.

MUSIC AND NEUROPLASTICITY

• 1. Music is processed in many areas of the brain which makes it a

“superhighway for neuroplastic learning and rehabilitation”

• 2. Neuroplasticity is mediated dopamine, music causes dopamine release.

• 3. Neuroplasticity requires repetition, music is repetitive.

HOW DOES THIS IMPACT RELAXATION?

• Using music, we can “train” ourselves to relax!

• Fight or flight vs. deep relaxation response.

• Pair music listening with a relaxation practice, and the release of dopamine

on a repetitive cycle will facilitate a relaxation response.

MUSIC RELAXATION TRAINING

• Emphasis on “training”

• It can’t be all or nothing

• Reorganizing your thoughts so that physical, mental, and emotional responses

do not get out of control.

MUSIC RELAXATION TRAINING

• Time frame

• Environment

• Music considerations

• What kind?

• How?

MUSIC CONSIDERATIONSClassical:

• Symphony No. 34 in C Major – Mozart

• Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major – Haydn

• Additional artists: Debussy, Vaughn Williams, Bizet

Modern:

• Music for Mellow Minds – Janalea Hoffman

• Sun, Moon and Stars – Jim Brickman

• Additional artists: Liz Story, Enya, David Lanz, Eric Tingstad

Popular:

• Bubbly – Colbie Cillat

• I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

• Additional artists: Adele, John Mayer, Michael Bublé

Rock:

• Layla: Eric Clapton

• Peaceful Easy Feeling – The Eagles

• Additional artists: Tom Petty, Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton,

Country:

• I Will – Alison Kraus

• It Just Comes Natural – George Strait

• Additional artists: Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Zac Brown Band

Nature:

• The Quiet Sea – Eric Bernard

• Marsh – Echoes of Nature

• Additional artists: Instruments by the Sea series

• Spiritual/Religious:

• Who I am – Casting Crowns

• What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

• Truth About Me – Mandisa

• Additional artists: Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith

IMPACT

• Coping With Work Related Stress Through Guided Imagery and Music –

2015

• The effect of music on biochemical markers and self-perceived stress among

first-line nurses - 2011

RESOURCES

• Brattico, E., & Pearce, M. (2013). The neuroaesthetics of music. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts,

7(1), 48-61.

• Curtis, L., & Fallin, J. (2014). Neuroeducation and music: Collaboration for student success. Music Educators

Journal, 101(2), 52-56.

• Daniels, B. B.; Hansen, A. M.; Gold, C. (2015). Coping with work-related stress through guided imagery and

music (GIM): Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Music Therapy 52(3), 323-352.

• Lai, H. L., & Li, Y. M. (2011). The effect of music on biochemical markers and self-perceived stress among first-

line nurses: A randomized controlled crossover trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 67(11), 2414-2424.

• Stegamoller, E. L. (2014). Exploring the neuroplasticity model of music therapy. Journal of Music Therapy,

51(3), 211-227.

CONTACT INFO

Leslie Saulsbury, MT-BC/L

[email protected]