Music Effects On Human Body Psychology Assignment (Essay Sample)

MUSIC EFFECTS ON HUMAN BODY
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Music is believed to have the ability to uplift human soul. Through music the spirit of love, prayer and compassion are awakened. It renders a clarity of the mind and it is known to make people smarter. Music has both stimulating and over stimulating impacts on the human body and sometimes even invasive producing both physical and mental effects (Campbell, 2009). All the same, music has even therapeutic effects in our bodies and therefore used in hospitals for music therapy. Most physicians in Europe as well as the United States during the 1950s started to apply a multidisciplinary methodology in medicine to provide music therapy to some of their patients who were believed to have interest and connection to the soothing music effects (Lefevre, 2004).
According to Campbell 2009, music has the ability to equalize or slow down brain waves. The brain reads music differently and its various distinct parts are connected to music. When we learn music, a greater part of the brain is relegated to recognize and interpret it (Kent, 2006). Normal consciousness is brought about by beta waves vibrating at 14-20 Hz and they only occur when we are working on our daily activities or in situations of strong negative emotions. Alpha waves characterize calmness and heightened awareness and vibrate at 8-13 Hz. Theta waves, which vibrate at 4-7 Hz usually indicate sleep, meditation and periods of peak creativity while unconsciousness, deep meditation and deep sleep result to delta waves of frequency 0.5-3 Hz. From this findings by Campbell, we draw that, when music slows down the brain waves, people feel more peaceful, relaxed and contented. Music, like other practices which unify the body and mind, with a 60 beats/minute pulse can drift ones consciousness to the alpha from the beta range, facilitating the general wellbeing and alertness (Campbell & Doman, 2012). A person listening to shamanic drumming may be taken into the theta frequency and experience altered conditions of consciousness.
Music impacts blood pressure, pulse rate and heartbeat. The heartbeat of a human being is specifically receptive to music and sound. The heartbeat response is stimulated by such musical variables as volume, tempo and frequency and attempts to slow down or speed up its rate in order to match the sound rhythm. The heart rate is directly proportional to the speed of sound rhythm. A slower heart rate, just like breathing rate, produces less stress and physical tension, calming the mind and helping the body to feel itself. In that sense, music is considered a natural energizer (Campbell & Doman, 2011). In a similar way, music changes blood pressure. A study conducted in Taiwan at the Nursing College, Haohsiung Medical University, of expectant mothers, revealed that there was a substantial decline in depression, anxiety and stress after listening to music by Debussy and Beethoven, Brahms lullaby, traditional Chinese songs and nature sounds (Campbell & Doman, 2012).
Various studies reveal that sound and music can buffer the human immune function. The human body has successful immune function when its system works in unity. That is, when the lymph and blood as well as other fluids have a proper circulation while the kidneys, live and spleen perform their overall obligation. Immunological research posits that degenerative diseases and immune deficiency may occur as a result of oxygen inadequacy in the blood (Fancourt, Ockelford, & Belai, 2014). A scientific study contacted at Michigan State University indicated that if an individual listens to music for about fifteen minutes, the blood interlukin-1 levels will increase from 12.5% to 14% (Chanda, & Levitin, 2013).
Music can moderate stress causing hormones and boost productivity. Anesthesiologists have reported that by listening to ambient music which is relaxing significantly declines the stress hormones level in the blood, (Chanda, & Levitin, 2013), in other cases, diminishing the need for medication (Novotney, 2013). Stress related hormones include human growth hormone (HGH), prolactic, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Some studies indicate that background music played in a work environment, preferably un-lyrical music is seen to increase the productivity and work participation (Shih, Huang, & Chiang, 2012). In a similar way, music can fortify learning and memory in a study environment. For some students, playing background music that is light and easily paced enables them to remain on concentration for longer periods while it may destruct others; similarly, in exercising, one’s stamina is extended (Karageorghis, & Priest, 2012). For instance, the ability of one to memorize foreign word, poetry, and spelling can be enhanced by listening to baroque music. Also, taking part in school music programs and playing an instrument has been proven to cause a broad positive impact on the behavior, motivation and learning of students (Campbell, 2009).
Music has the tenacity...