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Turns Out Our Listening Habits Might Be Doing More Than Pleasing Our Ears…

I just came across a Monash University led study that I thought this community would appreciate, especially those of us who’ve racked up hundreds (…or thousands 😅) of hours spinning records, streaming playlists, and noodling on instruments over the years.

Researchers looked at 10,800+ adults aged 70+ and found some pretty striking correlations:

  • Regular music listening (“always”) = 39% lower risk of dementia
    (compared to folks who “never/rarely/sometimes” listen)
  • Playing an instrument = 35% lower dementia risk
  • Music listening also linked to a 17% lower rate of cognitive impairment and better overall cognition + episodic memory
  • Doing both listening + playing? 33% decreased dementia risk + 22% lower cognitive impairment.

The data came from the ASPREE and ALSOP studies, and while it can’t prove causation, the researchers point out that cognitive aging isn’t just genetics, lifestyle matters just as much. And it turns out music might be one of the most accessible, enjoyable “interventions” we have.

Professor Joanne Ryan summed it up nicely: as lifespans get longer, preventing or delaying dementia becomes critical and habits like listening to or playing music may support healthier brain aging.

So yeah…

All those hours we’ve spent chasing better sound, tweaking gear, and playing music might actually be doing our brains a favor.

Not a bad justification for the next upgrade either. 😉

Do you feel your listening sessions are mentally stimulating or “therapeutic”? Anyone here notice differences in focus, memory, or mood depending on how much you listen or play?

Happy listening and apparently, healthy listening too. 🎶🧠

lalitk
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
15,052 posts
 

Not only music is good for the health of the body and brain health but i know some music may help  curing anxieties and panic attack...

For example this album is very powerful as much as a drug :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJRpoUk-mpU&list=RDaJRpoUk-mpU&start_radio=1

 

If you suffer from panic attack or violent anxieties attacks , Bach and Mozart will be less efficient than this album...

Holy Harmony is not "music" it is a  Christian mantra charged by powerful vibrations...

«Holy Harmony

by Jonathan Goldman is widely reviewed as a deeply spiritual and healing album that combines sacred chants with the sound of tuning forks. Listeners describe it as relaxing, uplifting, and powerful, noting that it can induce deep meditation, promote a sense of peace, and have a lasting vibrational effect. Reviewers highlight the unique blend of the "YHSVH" choral chant and the biblical tuning fork frequencies, with many experiencing profound effects like cellular awakening and emotional clarity»

 

also the mantra AUM or OM may help a lot....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5f5E4suBag&list=RDd5f5E4suBag&start_radio=1

 

If your problem is not too heavy as panic you must have a boost if you listen Peter Deunov music : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR2JFbXtVSU&list=PLTNypuLgY9fEdocDWHrOUhytEIvK0GxhZ

 

But Russian Choral music of Dmitry Bortniansky or Hildegard Of Bingen music will do the job too ...

Bortniansky:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A6ZPjJa--8&list=RD5A6ZPjJa--8&start_radio=1

 Hildegard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei88J4lERbk&list=PL22P6-DEP1384IfNJE17tP-0Y-XBELUhN

 

If you have no mental  health problem Bach ,Vivaldi, Schubert etc will do the necessary work to keep you sane ...listen to your own tastes...

Or try my prefered album of Vichitra Veena, :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiMZZ8DXuH8&list=PL5vjrvaZnYJUw44OWLlybyZIisCE-rf8M

mapman's avatar
mapman
23,616 posts
 

Makes sense. Think of all the mental exertion ie exercise that goes into soaking in all that music continuously over time. 

thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
6,170 posts
 

This is exactly why I was third chair triangle in school.

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
15,052 posts
 

I was excluded from the Child choral because i could not blend with the others voices...

sad

dmk_calgary
180 posts
 

just finished reading a couple of books about music/brain stuff. The one was called "this is your brain on music" by Daniel Levitin. He is a musician and neuroscientist. Also sounds like he is personal friends with Joni, Bruce and a few other musicians. Anyway the book was interesting for what it found for both musicians and people who listen to music. Music really is balm for the soul. Another book by Salk - forgot his first name - about people that had brain trauma, and either developed or lost some musical ability. Talks a lot about Williams syndrome, very rare in kids who are incredibly musical at a very young age. 

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