Something You Should Know

The Healing Effects of Music & Understanding Adolescence

14 snips
Jul 7, 2025
Stefan Koelsch, a renowned neuroscientist and music psychologist, discusses the profound healing power of music. He explains how music can alleviate conditions like depression and Parkinson's disease, enhancing mental wellness. Matt Richtel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning health reporter, delves into the challenges of adolescence, exploring the brain changes that drive risky behaviors. Together, they emphasize the importance of music in regulating emotions during these tumultuous years and highlight the critical need for support as teens navigate their identities.
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INSIGHT

Unexpected Power of Friendship

  • Friends can make physical tasks feel easier and can extend your lifespan greatly.
  • Close friends even share about 1% of their DNA, like fourth cousins genetically.
INSIGHT

Music as Universal Brain Stimulus

  • Music is a universal human trait found in every culture throughout history.
  • It deeply shapes our emotions, social bonds, and even our brain biology.
INSIGHT

How Music Heals Your Brain and Body

Music is far more than just entertainment; it profoundly shapes our emotions, memories, and social connections. Neuroscientist Stefan Koelsch explains that music activates deep brain structures, including the brainstem, triggering emotional systems that influence our heart rate, breathing, and even digestion.

Music's healing power is evident in its effects on conditions like depression, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Active music-making, such as singing or dancing, engages the brain's "happiness system," which can counteract brain degeneration and strengthen social bonds.

Interestingly, even listening to music can create a surrogate social experience, making us feel connected and emotionally supported. The key to maximizing music's healing effects is actively engaging with it—tapping, breathing, and emotionally connecting rather than passively hearing it in the background.

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