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Music And The Brain
from: Steve GillmanWhat is the connection between music and the brain? Is it
possible that music can help you think better? The research says
yes, and after telling you about some of it, I'll let you in on
an even faster way to boost your brain power with music.
Music And The Brain - The Research
The research shows that music actually trains the brain for
higher forms of thinking. Listening to, and participating in
music also creates new neural pathways in your brain that
stimulate creativity. An article in a Newsweek (2/19/96)
reported on a study from the University of California.
In the study, researchers followed the progress of
three-year-olds, split into two groups. The first group had no
particular training in, or exposure to music. The second group
studied piano and sang daily in chorus. After eight months the
musical three-year-olds were much better at solving puzzles, and
when tested, scored 80% higher in spatial intelligence than the
non-musical group.
Brain Music
A study on music and the brain, done at UC Irvine's Center for
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory involved 36 students. They
were given three spatial reasoning tests on a standard IQ test.
Just before the first test, they listened to Mozart's sonata for
Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for ten minutes.
Before the second test, they listened to a relaxation tape.
Before the third, they sat in silence.
The average scores for all 36 students: 1st test: 119. 2nd test:
111. 3rd test: 110.
That's an average increase of 9 iq points from listening to
Mozart. It's assumed that their intelligence didn't increase,
but that the music put them in a state that gave them better
access to the resources of their brains. However, other studies
do show that repeated exposure to slow music can permanently
increas you IQ, so play that Mozart!
Brain Wave Entrainment
Your brain wave frequencies vary according to the state you are
in. For example, daydreaming and meditation usually take place
in the "Alpha" range of frequencies. Alert concentration is in
the "Beta" range. "Brain wave entrainment" products have beats,
usually embedded in music, that your brain starts to follow.
If you listen to music containing beats at a frequency of 10 Hz
(in the Alpha range) it will feel very relaxing. This is because
your brain will begin to follow this frequency and reproduce the
rhythm in the music. You'll generate more brain waves at a 10 Hz
frequency and enter a relaxed Alpha mental state. This is the
idea behind brain wave entrainment.
This may be why some types of music have certain effects, but
not all brain wave entrainment Cds use music. Some use the raw
"binaural beats" as they are sometimes called, embedded in white
noise, or in sounds of nature. (I have used these products and
find them to be pretty powerful , especially the ones for
relaxation.)
Whether you use "binaural beats," or just pop a Mozart CD into
the player, you can increase your brain power easily. Try it
today. It is doubtful that Mozart will harm you, so why wait for
more research to be done on music and the brain?
About the author:
Steve Gillman has been studying brainpower and related topics
for years. For more on
Power, and to get the Brain Power Newsletter and other free
gifts, visit: http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com
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