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Forum From the Archives: Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin on Using Music as Medicine

Jan 1, 2025

Daniel Levitin, a renowned neuroscientist, musician, and author, discusses music's profound therapeutic potential, tracing its healing power back to prehistoric times. He reveals how music affects the brain and can aid in treatments for conditions like trauma and Parkinson’s. Listeners learn about the connection between personal memories and music's emotional resonance. Levitin's insights on music's role in human communication and its impact on cognitive health showcase the transformative and restorative qualities of melodies, enhancing our understanding of music as medicine.

57:45

Episode guests

Daniel J. Levitin

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Quick takeaways

Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin reveals that music has therapeutic potential rooted in 20,000 years of history, now supported by scientific research.

Music significantly enhances memory recall in Alzheimer's patients by triggering emotional connections to familiar songs from their past.

Deep dives

The Therapeutic Potential of Music

Music has been recognized for its therapeutic potential, linking back thousands of years, but only recently has science explained how it affects the mind and body. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin emphasizes that music activates various parts of the brain and neurochemical systems, similar to how medications like aspirin function. Research utilizing brain imaging since 2002 demonstrates that music can be a powerful tool in treating conditions such as trauma, depression, and Parkinson's disease. Instead of being a universal remedy, music functions like medicine, where specific types can be employed for distinct health benefits.

Intro

3min

The Therapeutic Power of Music

10min

The Transformative Nature of Music Recognition

2min

The Evolutionary Journey of Music

17min

The Subjectivity of Memory in Music

2min

The Healing Power of Music

17min

Exploring the Healing Power of Music

2min

Neuroscientist and musician Daniel Levitin says we can trace beliefs about music’s power to heal mind, body and spirit back 20,000 years, to the Upper Paleolithic era. But only recently have we had good science to explain how music affects us and how we can use it therapeutically. Not only to relax, uplift and bring us together, but as part of treatment of trauma, depression, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and more. Alexis Madrigal talked onstage with Levitin in collaboration with LitQuake, San Francisco’s literary festival, running through October 26th. We listen back on their conversation and to Levitin’s live musical performance.

Guests:

Daniel Levitin, neuroscientist, musician and author, "I Heard There Was a Secret Chord," "The Organized Mind," "The World in Six Songs" and "This is Your Brain on Music. He is also Dean of Social Sciences at the Minerva Schools in San Francisco.

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