Terry Jacobsen’s Post

It is a common belief that music is simply an enjoyable pastime, a form of entertainment that is devoid of any substantial cognitive benefits. However, I believe music is an extremely potent cognitive stimulant, a multifaceted gift that engages both the analytical and creative components of our minds. Here's why I hold this view: From the nuanced motor skills involved in playing an instrument to the intricate process of comprehension and appreciation of the melody and rhythm, music taps into several brain functions. The left hemisphere, responsible for analytical thinking, is actively involved in understanding musical structure and playing instruments. Simultaneously, the right hemisphere, governing creativity, processes the melody and synthesizes it into a cohesive whole. This simultaneous activation improves our cognitive development, increases intellectual capacity, and enhances overall brain functionality. Moreover, music impacts specific brain regions such as the Frontal Lobe (thinking and decision-making), Temporal Lobe (Appreciation of what we hear), and even the Amygdala (triggering of emotional responses) among others. So, instead of viewing music as just a form of amusement or hobby, it's time we acknowledge its potential cognitive benefits that could very well sharpen our minds while simultaneously providing an avenue for emotional expression and appreciation of beauty. What do you think about the power of music in cognitive development? Let's start a conversation and share your views here #MusicCognition #CognitiveDevelopment #BrainFunction #AnalyticalThinking #CreativeMind #IntellectualCapacity #EmotionalExpression #BrainHealth #Neuroscience #MusicAndTheBrain #Music

Listening to music can energize or relax you, improve your mood, evoke pleasant memories, and stimulate the brain. Make music a part of your life. https://lnkd.in/eVAZTxMT #musictherapy #psychology

🟨 Music’s Healing Notes: #Traits Trump #Genre for Stress Relief 📌 #Stress-relieving songs typically fall into two categories: mellow tunes in major mode or energetic tracks in minor mode. 📌 Participants in the study who listened to music with these specific traits showed quicker recovery from stress. 📌 Adiasto’s research emphasizes the personal nature of music in stress relief and suggests the need for music researchers to focus on #audio #characteristics rather than genres. #neuroscience #music #neurotechnology #psychology #stressrelief #wellness #brain #memory #healthtech #digitalhealth #futureofwork

🎶 "The brain is a pattern-seeking machine, and music provides one of the richest sources of patterns available." – David Byrne 🎶 David Byrne, a musical innovator and former lead singer of the iconic band Talking Heads, is not just a rock legend but also a deep thinker about the intersection of music, art, and the human mind. Known for his eclectic style and intellectual curiosity, Byrne has consistently explored how music influences our thoughts, emotions, and even our brains. In his quote, Byrne highlights the brain’s natural inclination to seek out and recognise patterns—a fundamental aspect of how we process information. Music, with its intricate structures of rhythm, melody, and harmony, offers one of the most profound and engaging ways for the brain to interact with these patterns. Why does this matter? The patterns in music can stimulate cognitive processes, enhance memory, and evoke powerful emotional responses. This is why music is such a powerful tool in areas like therapy, education, and mental health. Whether it's the repetitive beats that help us focus, or the melodies that unlock forgotten memories, music's structure resonates deeply within the brain. David Byrne’s insights remind us that music is more than just entertainment—it’s a key to understanding the very nature of our minds. Through music, we can tap into the brain’s potential, exploring the rich, pattern-filled landscapes that shape our thoughts and feelings. #DavidByrne #MusicAndTheBrain #PatternSeeking #CognitiveScience #TalkingHeads #MusicTherapy #Neuroscience

Listening to music can energize or relax you, improve your mood, evoke pleasant memories, and stimulate the brain. Make music a part of your life. https://lnkd.in/gMH92zaH #musictherapy #psychology

📣📣 According to the findings of a new study, singing can result in better cognitive performance, suggesting that playing an instrument also has additional brain health benefits. The underlying reasons for singing's impact on executive function (the ability to stay focused on tasks, plan and have self-control) remains unclear, however, the strong social aspect of singing in choirs aligns with evidence that social engagement positively influences brain health. This new article from The Conversation delves into connections between musical skills and brain health: 👀👇 #HealthandWellbeing #BrainHealth #Cognitive

Great article from Inc.com on why music is a great tool to use to boost productivity and brain power! #article #insightful #helpfuladvice #advice #tipsandtricks #productivity #performance https://lnkd.in/eQPsrzcG

As a trombone player and avid explorer of neuroscience, I recently came across a fascinating book that seamlessly connects these two worlds beautifully: ''Reverberation: Do Everything Better with Music by Keith Blanchard and Peter Gabriel. This book dives deep into the profound impact music has on our lives, from enhancing cognitive functions to boosting emotional well-being. It's a compelling read for anyone curious about the science behind the melodies that move us. For me, playing the trombone isn't just about creating music - it's about understanding the intricate ways in which music can shape our brains and improve our daily lives. This book provides scientific insights and practical applications that resonate with my experiences as a musician and my enthusiasm for neuroscience. Key Takeaways: 1- Cognitive enhancement: Discover how music can sharpen your mind and improve memory. 2-Emotional Balance: Learn about the therapeutic effects of music on mental health. 3-Productivity Boost: Uncover ways to use music to enhance focus and productivity. Whether you're a fellow musician, a neuroscience enthusiast, or simply someone looking to enhance your life through music, I highly recommend giving this book a read. It's a harmonious blend of art and science that will inspire you to leverage the power of music in all aspects of life. Keep playing, keep listening, keep learning, and let the music guide you! #music #neuroscience #cognitiveScience #mentalhealth #Productivity

Neuroimaging study reveals how the brain gets to the creative ‘flow state’. And all that jazz! The term “flow state” describes a mental state in which a person is completely focused on a single task or activity. They are directing all of their attention toward the task, and they do not experience many thoughts about themselves or their performance. Some people refer to this informally as being “in the zone!” A new neuroimaging study from Drexel University Creativity Research Lab has isolated flow-related brain activity during a creative task: jazz improvisation. John Kounios, PhD, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and three Creativity Research Lab director, noted that although flow has long been a topic of public fascination as well as the focus of hundreds of behavioral research studies, there has been no consensus about what flow is. The team’s research aimed to determine the truth between different theories of how flow becomes involved when people produce creative ideas. The researchers tested these competing theories of creative flow by recording high-density electroencephalograms (EEGs) from 32 jazz guitar players, some highly experienced and others less experienced. Each musician improvised to six jazz lead sheets (songs) with programmed drums, bass and piano accompaniment and rated the intensity of their flow experience for each improvisation. The resulting 192 recorded jazz improvisations, or "takes," were subsequently played for four jazz experts individually so they could rate each for creativity and other qualities. The researchers then analyzed the EEGs to discover which brain areas were associated with high-flow takes (compared to low-flow takes). Researchers found that the creative flow state involves two key factors: extensive experience, which leads to a network of brain areas specialised for generating the desired type of ideas, plus the release of control - “letting go" - to allow this network to work with little or no conscious supervision. I think that makes perfect sense since you would need to reach unconscious competency (aka mastery) in the background activities before you could bring the creative innovation into the foreground of your attention. See my comment below for the link to the full research study. #cognition #creativity #brainscience #neuroscience #jazz

I recently came across a fascinating research program at University of Central Florida. Neuroscientist Kiminobu Sugaya and world-renowned violinist Ayako Yonetani are researchinghow music impacts brain function and human behavior.    Their findings are truly remarkable: 🎼 Rhythmic music temporarily alleviates some symptoms of Parkinson's disease. 🎼 Music can enhance communication skills. 🎼 When you experience shivers down your spine while listening to music, the amygdala is activated—the part of our brains that process and triggers emotions. 🎼 Patients in late stages of Alzheimer's disease may be unresponsive, but listening to their favorite music can lead to movement and sometimes singing. The effect even persists for a while after the music is turned off.   Sugaya also says professional musicians use a different section of the brain to process music than others. This is why we at HARMAN International are committed to delivering the best possible audio experience to everyone; professional musicians as well as people who simply love listening to music.   #MusicResearch #Neuroscience