New Study, Music Can Improve Memory And Help You Sleep Well

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Scientists have discovered a new relationship that shows how music affects humans in terms of body, mind and behavior.

A study combines the performance of Dr David Lewis of Mindlab International with the results of a survey of 3,000 respondents in the UK, Germany and Hungary.

The research focused on 10 different reactions to music, including improved memory function, feelings of happiness, and the power to slow or speed up a person's heart rate.

The results show that six out of 10 respondents across Europe reported feeling lower than before during the global pandemic.

But even so, 72 percent said the song had helped them get through difficult times in their lives.

Based on research from Dr. David Lewis, Sony, has created two new visual representations of how powerful music can affect us physically and emotionally.

The visual depicts the way high and low tempo music, coupled with omnidirectional sounds and lighting features, affect our bodies and the objects around us.

Claire Poux, head of marketing category, V&S at Sony UK & Ireland, said: "We can all look back on moments in our lives where music has played an integral role.

"From nursery rhymes for children to our wedding day dance song; it evokes feelings and memories, takes us on a journey.

"2020 has been a tough year for all of us, we want to make this report and video to show how powerful music is, inspire more people to use it as a tool for positivity in their lives."

According to the data, music can also help when trying to fall asleep at night - with Vivaldi's Four Seasons being considered especially effective.

Ten ways music affects people according to Dr David Lewis:

1. Tears

2. Improve memory function

3. Happiness

4. Slow down, relax, or accelerate the heart rate

5. Influence our actions

6. Create friendships and relationships, even form a person's identity

7.Create a 'cure' effect

8. Helps induce sleep

9. Causes your spine to tingle and makes hair stand on end

10. Pupil dilation and triggers a fight or flight.

Fight or flight itself is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to events, attacks, or threats that are considered dangerous for survival. This was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon.

Songs can even trigger fight or flight reactions, such as when the right music is played, the heart rate increases, the pupils dilate and blood is diverted to the legs when a part of the brain known as the cerebellum is activated.

When humans listen to energizing music but are not in a position to fight or flight, the intensity of the feelings generated is interpreted by the body as being caused by joy and pleasure.

The average Briton listens to more than 285 hours of music a year - the equivalent of 12 whole days - but eight in 10 still wish they were listening more, knowing the benefits it can bring.

The two videos are designed to be watched sequentially, showing how the body reacts to music with cymatics demonstrating how omni-directional sound waves affect paint, grit, and fluid to the beat in erratic but mesmerizing ways.

First, watch Tails by Jack Chown from The Music Lab designed to evoke melancholy feelings. Meanwhile, Gutenmorgen, from the same artist, is designed to re-energize and evoke happiness at a higher tempo.

Dr David Lewis of Mindlab International added: "Sad music can help us get through difficult times.

"The strongest emotional responses, whether happiness or sadness, were found to occur when one note contrasts emotionally with the one heard earlier.

"Next time you want to be lifted and re-energized by music, make a musical sandwich.

"Play a song that makes you sad before one that makes you cheerful, positive, and optimistic - that way, the song's uplifting power will prove more impactful."