According to Altenmuller and Schlaug (2013 p. 210), burgeoning research on music exposure and its impact on biochemical changes clearly show increasing interest in this field. Numerous researches exist on the changes in behavior through physiological reactions. Hence, the impact of music on the production of messenger marks a positive step for researchers. The author reviews signaling molecules such as neurotransmitters, hormones, and cytokines, which carry out significant bodily regulations. In the review, Gangrade (2011 p. 40) asserts that music creates positive immune functions and elicits responses that promote positive emotions, capable of alleviating stress.
On the other hand, pathways of messenger functions are critical to comprehending the relationship of the mind with other bodily functions. These functions give messengers their complex aggregative effect that another messenger offsets or amplifies. In light of this, the article review analyzes the relationship between music and the assembly of these messengers in-depth.
While most people consider music a form of enjoyment and entertainment, it improves patients’ well-being effectively (Lin & Yang 2013, p. 42). The brain’s interpretation of music induces bodily biochemical reactions that activate pleasure-seeking areas in the brain, which food, sex, and drugs stimulate. While earlier research indicates that music improves immune functions (Lin & Yang 2013, p. 42), this paper goes in-depth into investigating music and its physiological and psychological relationship.
Before, researchers held that psychology had a unidirectional effect on psychology. Yet, this study shows that oxytocin production increases when one listens to music (Gangrade 2011 p. 42). This study also affirms that although music therapy protocols vary by increasing or decreasing adrenaline, they also vary among administrators.
To clinical practitioners, learning about changes in messengers when patients listen to music is promising in illuminating therapeutic changes. This article’s value is significant to fields with real biological implications relating closely to future clinical spheres. To researchers, messengers such as neurotransmitters and cytokines offer a better approach for comparing music studies. These messengers are a direct link between interpreting music and other physiological functions.
To medical research and development teams, Gangrade (2011 p. 43) and Stegemann (2013 p. 202) call for further research to develop better pharmacological drugs that handle problems with decreased side effects and opens up avenues for newer treatments. Last, to policymakers and nursing practitioners, the effect of specific music types on various biochemical messengers lays solid ground for understanding music’s function in physiological mechanisms.
While this study affirms that music is applicable in developing improved medical care given its promising effects on messenger production, researchers have to consider other issues. Most researchers have failed to include diverse music varieties as study variables, but rather focus on specific music types. Studies have also failed to include other music types with elements such as ethnic diversities and various melodies for their participants. This study affirms that the impact of music on messenger functions needs further research, given that music exposure reveals messenger functions through production trends, though not causative in any means.
References
Altenmuller, E., and Schlaug, G 2013, “Neurobiological Aspects of Neurologic Music Therapy.” Music and Medicine, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 210-216.
Gangrade, 2011, “The Effect of Music on the Production of Neurotransmitters, Hormones, Cytokines, and Peptides: A Review.” Music and Medicine vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 40-43.
Lin, L., and Yang R 2013, “Using Music to Treat Epilepsy in Children: A Review.” Music and Medicine, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 242-247.
Stegemann, T 2013, “Neurobiological Aspects of Music Therapy.” Music and Medicine, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 202-20.