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Quick Links
Course website: bfclass.com
BrainHQ site: https://v4.brainhq.com/
Student site with schedule and more: sdcestudent55.com
Site to enroll in classes: myportal.sdccd.edu
Official SDCCE site: sdcce.edu
Click here for the class zoom link
BrainHQ Site
BrainHQ Site
The Universal Language of Music
The Universal Language of Music
Music is a fundamental part of human culture. Every civilization, past and present, has developed music. But why is it so deeply ingrained in our nature?
Research suggests that music is linked to:
Survival and evolution – Early humans used rhythm and melodies for communication before language.
Social bonding – Group music-making enhances cooperation and unity (Levitin, 2006).
Emotional expression – Music can evoke complex emotions, from joy to nostalgia.
Brain engagement – Unlike other activities, music activates multiple brain areas, including those involved in memory, motor skills, and emotions (Patel, 2008).
Discussion Question:
Discussion Question:
What role does music play in your daily life?
Watch this interesting video on music and the brain and the emotions.
Connections Between Music and Brain Health
Connections Between Music and Brain Health
Music and Memory
Music and Memory
Music has a powerful link to memory, often triggering vivid recollections from the past.
Music has a powerful link to memory, often triggering vivid recollections from the past.
Studies show that listening to familiar songs can enhance memory recall in individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia (Särkämö et al., 2014).
Studies show that listening to familiar songs can enhance memory recall in individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia (Särkämö et al., 2014).
The hippocampus, a critical brain structure for memory, is highly active when people listen to music from their past.
The hippocampus, a critical brain structure for memory, is highly active when people listen to music from their past.
Discussion Question:
Discussion Question:
Have you ever had a song bring back a strong memory?
Have you ever had a song bring back a strong memory?
Music and Emotion Regulation
Music and Emotion Regulation
Music has a direct impact on dopamine production, influencing mood, stress levels, and overall well-being.
Music has a direct impact on dopamine production, influencing mood, stress levels, and overall well-being.
Certain musical characteristics, such as tempo, key, and lyrics, can soothe anxiety or boost energy (Levitin, 2006).
Certain musical characteristics, such as tempo, key, and lyrics, can soothe anxiety or boost energy (Levitin, 2006).
Set a number between 1 and 10 to describe your current level of anxiety. Then, after the short meditation, reassess and share your number again.
Close your eyes gently.
Take a deep breath in through your nose… hold for 3 seconds…
Now exhale slowly through your mouth.
Again. Inhale… hold… exhale.
Feel your feet on the floor.
Notice the weight of your body on the chair.
Let your shoulders drop, let your jaw relax.
Now bring your attention to the music.
If a thought comes up, that’s okay. Just return to your breath and the music.
Take one more deep breath in…
Exhale slowly… and gently open your eyes.
A study from McGill University (Salimpoor et al., 2011) found that music activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, similar to eating or exercising.
A study from McGill University (Salimpoor et al., 2011) found that music activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, similar to eating or exercising.
Slow-tempo music has been shown to lower cortisol levels and reduce stress.
Slow-tempo music has been shown to lower cortisol levels and reduce stress.
🎵 Listening Experiment:
🎵 Listening Experiment:
Listen to a fast-tempo, major-key song and then a slow, minor-key song. How do they make you feel?
Listen to a fast-tempo, major-key song and then a slow, minor-key song. How do they make you feel?
Music and Neuroplasticity
Music and Neuroplasticity
Playing or listening to music strengthens neural connections and promotes cognitive flexibility.
Playing or listening to music strengthens neural connections and promotes cognitive flexibility.
Learning an instrument has been linked to higher IQ, better problem-solving skills, and improved executive function (Patel, 2008).
Learning an instrument has been linked to higher IQ, better problem-solving skills, and improved executive function (Patel, 2008).
Bilingual & musical brains: Both musicians and bilingual individuals show increased gray matter in the brain regions associated with learning and memory.
Bilingual & musical brains: Both musicians and bilingual individuals show increased gray matter in the brain regions associated with learning and memory.
Stroke rehabilitation: Melodic Intonation Therapy helps stroke patients recover speech abilities by activating the right hemisphere of the brain.
Stroke rehabilitation: Melodic Intonation Therapy helps stroke patients recover speech abilities by activating the right hemisphere of the brain.
🎶 Discussion Question:
🎶 Discussion Question:
Have you ever learned an instrument or sung in a choir? Did you notice any changes in your thinking or emotions?
Brain Activities
Activity 1: Music & Memory Challenge
Activity 1: Music & Memory Challenge
Objective: Demonstrate how music is tied to memory.
Objective: Demonstrate how music is tied to memory.
🔹 Instructions:
Play 3-5 short clips of popular songs (from different decades).
Ask students to write down any memories, feelings, or images that come to mind.
Discuss: How does music help us recall past experiences?
📌 Takeaway: Music is a powerful tool for triggering autobiographical memories.
Activity 2: Rhythm & Emotion Experiment
Activity 2: Rhythm & Emotion Experiment
Objective: Show how rhythm influences emotions.
🔹 Instructions:
Play a slow-paced, soft melody and ask students to focus on their emotions.
Then, play a fast-paced, upbeat rhythm and ask how their feelings change.
Discuss how rhythm affects mood and energy levels.
📌 Takeaway: Our brains naturally respond to tempo and rhythm, influencing mood and arousal levels.
Reflective Writing Exercise: "The Soundtrack of My Life"
Reflective Writing Exercise: "The Soundtrack of My Life"
Objective: Encourage students to reflect on music’s role in their lives.
🔹 Instructions:
Ask students to write about three songs that define different moments in their lives.
Encourage them to describe:
Why these songs are meaningful.
What memories or emotions they evoke.
How music has helped them during difficult or joyful times.
Optional: Create a collaborative class playlist based on their song selections.
📌 Takeaway: Music is deeply personal and serves as a timeline of emotions, experiences, and personal growth.
Conclusion
Music is not just entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for brain health.
Whether through listening, playing, or creating music, it stimulates memory, enhances emotions, and strengthens cognitive function.
Students are encouraged to integrate more music into their daily lives for improved well-being.
🎶 “Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” — Elton John
Bibliography
Bibliography
Altenmüller, E., & Schlaug, G. (2015). Neurologic music therapy: The beneficial effects of music on the brain. Progress in Brain Research, 217, 237-252.
Levitin, D. J. (2006). This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession. Dutton/Penguin.
Patel, A. D. (2008). Music, Language, and the Brain. Oxford University Press.
Rauscher, F. H., Shaw, G. L., & Ky, K. N. (1993). Music and spatial task performance. Nature, 365(6447), 611.
Salimpoor, V. N., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. J. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257-262.
Särkämö, T., Tervaniemi, M., Laitinen, S., et al. (2014). Rehabilitation of stroke patients using melodic intonation therapy. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 32.
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