The Power of Music: Emotions, Communication, and Physiology

Get the app

How to Use Music to Boost Motivation, Mood & Improve Learning

Huberman Lab

chevron_right

notes

CHAPTER

The Power of Music: Emotions, Communication, and Physiology

This chapter explores how music influences human emotions, motivations, and physiological responses, drawing parallels between music and language. It emphasizes music's innate ability to evoke empathy and its deep-rooted significance in human nature, observable even in infants.

00:00

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

In this episode, I describe how your brain and body are fundamentally wired to perceive and respond to music and how those responses can be leveraged to improve your mood, allow for processing sad emotions and enhance learning and performance. I explain the data showing how music can increase motivation for cognitive or physical work, what specific music has been shown to enhance cognitive performance, and whether silence or music is more effective in enhancing focus while studying. I also discuss how specific musical pieces can rapidly reduce anxiety, as well as certain prescription medications. I explain how listening to certain types of music can improve various health metrics (e.g., heart rate). Finally, I discuss how music helps to enhance neuroplasticity (rewiring of brain connections), thereby improving learning and memory. Whether you sing, play an instrument or enjoy listening to music, this episode provides numerous science-informed tools for using music to enhance productivity, mood, emotional states, and overall enjoyment of life.

For show notes, including referenced articles and additional resources, please visit hubermanlab.com.

Use Ask Huberman Lab, our new AI-powered platform, for a summary, clips, and insights from this episode.