daniel levitin this is your brain on music

So, a number of us in the field have opted for the word reserved music therapy for things that fit that definition that involves a licensed music therapist and to use musical intervention just to mean anything else. So, if we use the word music therapy generically the way we use Kleenex to refer to any tissue, we’re not being precise. And it’s normally practiced by a licensed music therapist – a music therapy practitioner – and there are special training programs for that.

Just to clarify, music therapy is the evidence-based use of music in clinical situations that help people reach desired health outcomes. So, I've tended to use the word music intervention as a term more broadly to talk about musical interactions that aren't necessarily music therapy.

And we've seen evidence now that music can alter brain chemistry and even the production of cytokines, immunoglobulin A, and other components of a healthy immune system.Īudrey Hamilton: When we talk about music therapy and music interventions, what is the difference? In other words, what does the term “intervention” mean?ĭaniel Levitin: In the literature, there’s a tendency to talk rather loosely about music therapy without respecting the definition of music therapy by the American Music Therapy Association. Lots of things that we do affect our physiology – exercise does and so we can say that exercise replaces medicine when it has the desired outcome in terms of our physiology – our mental and physical physiology. But when it comes to our health, such as pain management or stress, how does music impact our brains? Can music even replace medicine in some situations?ĭaniel Levitin: Well, it depends on what you mean by medicine. Levitin.Īudrey Hamilton: I don’t think it’s surprising to most people that music can impact us emotionally. He’s also the author of the bestselling book “This is Your Brain on Music.” Thank you for joining us, Dr. A former rock musician and studio producer, he now studies the neuroscience of music and how music impacts our mental and physical health.

Psychologist Daniel Levitin is a professor of psychology, behavioral neuroscience and music at McGill University in Montreal. I’m Audrey Hamilton and this is “Speaking of Psychology.” But, what effect does music have on our brains or even our health? In this episode, a neuropsychologist discusses how research is changing the way we understand the power of music.

Audrey Hamilton: What kind of music helps you relax? Maybe something classical? How about this? Different kinds of music can certainly alter how we feel or even how fast our heart beats.

Daniel levitin this is your brain on music