The surprising health benefits of familiar music

Maybe it’s your wedding song — or that tune you loved so much as a kid that you practically wore out your record player.

But have you ever noticed that listening to an old, familiar song seems to jumpstart your brain and send years of memories flooding back?

Well, it turns out it’s a scientific fact.

Researchers from Finland’s University of Helsinki found that listening to a familiar piece of music actually can help you think and remember better.

In their test, they played 20 minutes of a Mozart piece the group was familiar with. That 20 minutes was all it took to enhance the activity of genes that help learning and memory. And the music seemed to suppress those genes that do the opposite.

The key, researchers say, is to listen to songs you already know. Additional studies, they noted, have shown that the benefits of music come from repeated exposure to it.

And listening to your favorite tunes won’t just help your brain. Previous research has found that music lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. It even fights inflammation.

So whether you’re a little bit country, like Marie Osmond (or a little bit rock and roll like Donny), make some time for the music you love every day. It’s good for the soul and great for your brain.

Source:

“Music can control your genes, and that’s a good thing” Julia Westbrook, March 17, 2015, Rodale News, rodalenews.com