Music: A Universal Language that Transforms Lives
May 6, 2025
Theme of the Week:
By Sofia Aksenova
Music is an integral part of our lives. Many people listen to it while commuting to work, others use it as motivation during their workouts, or find in it an inexhaustible source of inspiration. However, despite its universality, there is no common definition that can encompass all aspects of this term. Perhaps it is because music goes beyond words. For me, music is an invisible art that speaks directly to the soul and a bridge between the past and the future. When a melody takes over my thoughts, it not only makes me hum its rhythm but also activates dormant memories, awakens forgotten emotions, and invites me to dream. Like a book without words, each melody hides stories that only those who know how to listen can decipher.
It is evident that music can influence various aspects of our health and well-being. Depending on the song or type of music, it can affect hormone levels such as dopamine and cortisol, as well as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. This improves our mood and reduces stress by releasing dopamine, which also reduces cortisol levels, resulting in a calmer pulse. Classical music, in particular, has been recognized for its ability to alleviate anxiety and strengthen the immune system. There is even music therapy, a method that uses sounds to treat everything from depression to memory problems.
Additionally, music has a notable effect on pain perception. By capturing our attention, it reduces the attention we pay to pain. This is because the brain uses similar neural circuits to process both music and pain. When we immerse ourselves in a melody, the brain focuses on it, limiting its ability to process pain signals simultaneously. Moreover, listening to music we like can increase our sense of control over pain, which is especially useful in anxiety-inducing situations.
Furthermore, music is a powerful tool that transforms our way of thinking. Reading a score is like reading a different language; it requires specific knowledge to decipher its symbols. When someone plays an instrument, their brain becomes an orchestra in itself, activating multiple areas simultaneously. This includes the visual, auditory, and motor cortices, meaning the brain is processing visual information from the score, musical sounds, and precise movements at the same time. This not only helps improve memory and concentration but also elevates intelligence and academic performance.
The power of music is truly extraordinary. I always remember two composers whose strength and love for art deeply impress me. Figures like Johann Sebastian Bach, who continued creating masterful scores despite losing his sight, and Ludwig van Beethoven, who composed masterpieces despite his deafness, demonstrate that music transcends physical limitations and becomes a profound expression of the soul. This ability of music to speak directly to the heart reminds us that even in the deepest silence, there is a song waiting to be discovered and written, a song that is part of our life and ourselves.