Front Page > Articles > Music and the human body

Music and the human body

Music can have many effects on the human body. It can be used for things like drowning out unpleasant sounds and feelings to encouraging the release of tension. Some of the many effects that music can have on the human body are:

Masks unpleasant feelings and sounds
Affects the blood pressure and pulse rate
Affects respiration
Regulates stress
Reduces muscle tension and improving body movement and coordination
Strengthens our memory and learning
Boosts the body's immune system
Enhances romance and sexuality
Boosts productivity
Generates a sense of well-being and safety
Fosters endurance

This long list makes you start to see why music can make a large influence on many people.

Masks unpleasant feelings and sounds

Music can drown out or help mask unpleasant sounds and feelings in many ways. An example of this is the dentist. The dentist plays music in the background while he is using the drill. Although this does not drown out the sound of the drill, it gives the patient something else to focus on.

Affects respiration

The rate at which you breath can be affected by the music you are listening to. Slow music is known to calm you down. This calmness promotes a slower breathing rate.

On the other end of the scale is the fast music. This music will make you more awake and aware of your surroundings. This means fast music can increase your respiration rate.

Affects the blood pressure and pulse rate

This is similar to the affect music has on the respiration. As your breathing slows down when you are listening to calming music, your blood pressure and pulse rate also fall. This is simply due to you relaxing and taking things easy.

Fast music makes you want to get up an move. It is this extra movement that fast music promotes that causes your blood pressure and pulse rate to rise when you listen to faster music.

Reduces muscle tension and improving body movement and coordination

Slower music can reduce muscle tension and improve body movement and coordination. A study done at Colorado State University in 1991 showed that music has a direct affect on coordination. 24 undergraduate women had to complete a range of physical exercises including the striking of objects. When music was played, the women coordinated their movements and swings with the beat, instead of going at their own rate. The rhythm and timing of the music helped the women to know when to start their swings and gauge how fast to move.

Regulates stress

The calming effect of music can also help relieve stress. The simple act of listening to a relaxing piece of music helps you relax. This relaxation is the best method to relieve stress.

Tags: Human Body, Music

Related Items:

Comments / Replies

katie Says:
30 November, 2006 at 6:17 am

this was a very helpful website gave me a lot of ideas and hints for my science experiment.
anonymous Says:
5 December, 2006 at 11:39 am

this website is cool. it also helped me write my research paper :D
Me Says:
7 January, 2007 at 8:26 am

This was a GREAT website it really got me on a roll for my science project! ;-)
jen Says:
16 January, 2007 at 6:57 am

this website helped me so much with my science project thanks
Zach Says:
8 February, 2007 at 8:07 am

Like the others, I have a research paper due, and this definently helped reasure me I did it right, thank you for this wonderful article.
~*!GirlNextDoor!*~ Says:
22 February, 2007 at 7:18 am

Yayyyyy!!! I am going to get extra credit for my biology experiment on testing the music effects on heartbeat rate.
triXie Says:
24 February, 2007 at 9:10 pm

Well, it's good to see I'm not the only one doing a science project on this topic... Thanks, VERY useful site! :D
caylyn jarmon Says:
10 August, 2008 at 12:24 am

wow this was so helpful.i was thinking aboujt doing my second year socialscience fair project on this but since i already found this wonderful link i have my topic!! =)
Tiffani Says:
15 November, 2008 at 2:07 pm

this was all very helpful. im doing a science project on something realated to this and it helps so much.
Adam Says:
31 January, 2009 at 1:25 pm

thanks for theawsome website. I couldnt find anything else most of them are about how music affect plants and heart beat. but this is amazing thanks!!!!!