Auditory NeuroscienceFeaturedNeuroscience·May 28, 2024·5 min readHow the Brain Distinguishes Music from SpeechA new study reveals how our brain distinguishes between music and speech using simple acoustic parameters. Researchers found that slower, steady sounds are perceived as music, while faster, irregular sounds are perceived as speech.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 26, 2024·7 min readNostalgic Music Affects the Brain and MemoryNostalgic music activates brain areas linked to memory, reward, and self-processing. This discovery could help improve the quality of life for those with dementia.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeuroscience·May 16, 2024·4 min readSinging Improves Language Skills in Stroke-Damaged BrainsSinging can improve language recovery in stroke patients by repairing the brain's language network. This positive effect is attributed to increased grey matter volume in language regions and improved connectivity within the network. The study suggests that singing can be a cost-effective addition to traditional rehabilitation methods.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 13, 2024·5 min readUnlocking Flow: The Neuroscience of Creative BlissA new study involving Philadelphia-area jazz guitarists, has explored the brain processes that enable creative flow. The research reveals that achieving flow requires a solid foundation of expertise, after which one must learn to relax conscious control to allow creativity to flourish.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·April 12, 2024·6 min readWhy Sad Songs Feel Good: Music’s Emotional ParadoxA new study explores why listening to sad music can be pleasurable. The research involved 50 music students who found that removing the element of sadness from their chosen music decreased their enjoyment, indicating a direct link between sadness and pleasure.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 4, 2024·5 min readMusic Evokes Distinct Bodily SensationsA new study reveals how music evokes distinct bodily sensations, particularly in the heart and abdomen, linking these feelings to emotional responses and aesthetic appreciation. Analyzing responses from 527 participants to chord sequences derived from Billboard chart hits, researchers found that predictable music induces calmness and satisfaction, while surprising chords stir stronger heart sensations tied to pleasure.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 30, 2024·4 min readThe Power of Music on Cognitive ArousalA new study explores the influence of personalized music on cognitive arousal and performance, drawing on the Yerkes-Dodson law's inverted-U theory. The study used participants' physiological and behavioral signals to map arousal levels against performance, revealing that music can significantly affect one's productivity by aligning arousal to an optimal level.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·March 22, 2024·5 min readHarmony in Chaos: How BPD Influences Music TastesRecent research reveals that individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) exhibit distinct music preferences, favoring reflective and complex genres such as classical and jazz over intense, rebellious ones. The study, involving 549 participants, highlights how the severity of BPD symptoms influences these preferences and the psychological functions of music, emphasizing its role in emotional regulation and social connectivity.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 4, 2024·7 min readRhythm in the Brain: Music Exposure Influences Rhythmic InterpretationA new study involving participants from 15 countries, shed light on the universal preference for simple integer ratios in rhythms, revealing significant cultural variations in musical perception. This research, conducted with 39 groups, including people from traditional societies, indicates that while there's a common bias towards certain rhythmic structures, the specific preferences can differ markedly across cultures.Read More
Auditory NeuroscienceFeaturedNeuroscience·February 27, 2024·6 min readImperfect Harmony: Rethinking Pythagoras’ Musical ConsonanceNew research challenges Pythagoras's ancient theory on musical consonance, revealing our preference for slight imperfections in chords rather than the perfect integer ratios traditionally associated with beautiful music. The study highlights how the mathematical relationships deemed crucial for a chord's beauty disappear with instruments unfamiliar to Western traditions, such as the Javanese gamelan's bonang.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 26, 2024·4 min readLive Music’s Unique Spark: A Brain’s Emotional JourneyLive music significantly amplifies emotional responses in the brain compared to recorded tunes. By measuring amygdala activity, researchers found that live performances evoke stronger emotional reactions, fostering a deeper cognitive and affective processing throughout the brain.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·February 26, 2024·6 min readMusic’s Universal Pulse: Body and Emotions Unite Across CulturesA groundbreaking cross-cultural study has revealed that music universally influences bodily sensations and emotions, transcending cultural boundaries. Researchers from Western and East Asian backgrounds discovered that emotional and structural characteristics of music consistently evoke similar bodily sensations—such as changes in the chest, limbs, and head regions—regardless of cultural background.Read More
