Music Therapy and its Effects on the Brain

Abstract

Music therapy encompasses many aspects and various facets in life. Thought only as a mere form of enteratinment in western culture, music has been around for thousands of years providing healing intervention. Over time it has taken a turn in our current culture, and is now returning to its roots, being once again recognized for its healing properties. The use of music as a theraputic treatment, has forever been looked down by many in healthcare institutions. The inability to accurately document its affects and findings, suggest its effectiveness and efficiency, are unfounded resulting in it being shunned in many circles. As an unconventional for of treatment, with lack of credible findings, raises many concerns for people causing them to run rampant; questions whether something as simple as music has the ability to treat injury to the brain. Within my paper in plan to address these concerns and advocate its usefulness as a treatment option. I will discuss how listening to the sound of music has the ability to: target regions of brain where cognitive thinking and motor functions are located, activate neurological pathways and stimulate the sense, and trigger psychological responses. We begin with first understanding what is music therapy, its mechanisms, and how it's applied. We then move on to the findings, any research from experts in the field that explore e the relation to music and the brain; that suggest music therapy is a valuable treatment option. Following that we discuss why in some circles, specifically in healthcare institutions, why it's not considered an asset and valuable form of treatment for the brain. We discuss what's next and what can be done, further propelling us to the fact that the presence of music therapy serves as a tremendous asset in the treatment of the brain.