The Power of Music: How Songs Affect the Brain, Relieve Pain, and Help with Illness

From helping people with neurological diseases to changing the way we experience physical pain, music has a powerful and multifaceted impact on the human body, as confirmed by numerous studies and expert experiences, writes the BBC.

In a bright classroom in Limerick, an unusual choir gathers every Friday. Led by music therapists, the participants - who either have Parkinson's disease or care for someone with it - sing, practice breathing and voice together. The group, symbolically called "Parkinsongs", uses music as a therapy to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

"People come in with a variety of problems - tremors, breathing difficulties or speech difficulties," explains therapist Ceti McGlynn, noting that singing can improve voice control and quality of life.

Experts emphasize that long-term music practice can improve brain function, while neurologists indicate that music encourages the creation of new neural connections, a process known as "neuroplasticity," which strengthens the brain's resistance to aging and disease.

Research shows that singing can improve voice volume and pitch, as well as motor skills, in people with Parkinson's disease. On the other hand, in people with dementia, music therapy can improve memory and cognitive function, including recalling names, faces, and events.

Striking examples from practice were also recorded - such as a patient with dementia who, during a musical performance, stood up and danced for the first time without assistance, surprising even her caregivers.

However, the effects of music can vary depending on the disease. While in Parkinson's disease, therapy mainly helps motor functions, in dementia, music can activate parts of the brain that remain intact even in the later stages of the disease, including Alzheimer's disease.

The positive impact of music is not limited to those with illnesses. Research shows that even healthy people who regularly play or sing develop better motor skills, speech, memory, and even a different perception of pain. Studies have shown that musicians experience less pain intensity, especially those with years of training.

Experts recommend dedicating 30 to 45 minutes a day to music, with an emphasis on continuity and enjoyment, because it is repetition and motivation that trigger changes in the brain.

Interestingly, just listening to music can have a therapeutic effect - it reduces pain after surgery, alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improves sleep quality and overall well-being.

The importance of making music together is particularly emphasized. Group singing stimulates the secretion of dopamine and endorphins - chemicals that influence feelings of pleasure, connection and stress reduction.

"Music has an emotional dimension that other activities often don't have. You're not just invoking words, you're also invoking feelings - and a sense of security in contact with others," experts point out.