Cyberfolk Summer 2002

Your Brain on Music

We all know that music can help to set a mood, cheer us up, and help us relax. But were you aware that it can also can make you smarter and help you live longer? This edition of Cyberfolk is about music and the brain.

It is commonly known that the right side and left sides of the brain each have specific functions. In order to get the most from your brain, you need to use both sides. Read more about this at http://www.eiu.edu/~edtech/teamTeach_Ex/rightbra.htm and at
http://www.mtsu.edu/~devstud/advisor/hemis.html and at
http://www.educationthroughmusic.com/brain.htm

The research of Dr. Lawrence Parsons of the University of Texas-San Antonio shows that significantly more of the brain was being used during music making that previously thought. This means that making music is excellent brain exercise! http://elwood.pionet.net/~hub7/brain_used.html

Recent research in neuroscience suggests that learning to play music positively influences the brain. In fact, researchers actively are studying whether the brain changes observed in musicians enhance mental functions, including many not associated with music. Check it out at the Society for Neuroscience web site at http://apu.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/music_training_and_brain.htm and at http://elwood.pionet.net/~hub7/music.htm

Frances Rauscher, Ph.D. and neuroscientist Gordon Shaw, Ph.D from University of California at Irvine have produced research that indicates that Music can enhance key components of human intelligence. Read more about it at http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Music/musicsmart.html and at
http://www.amc-music.com/brain/rauscher.html
http://www.educationthroughmusic.com/musicbrain.htm

The Mozart effect is the theory that listening to Mozart can increase performance on certain intelligence tasks. Read more about this controversial theory at these sites: http://www.mikebyde.freeserve.co.uk/MozartEffect
http://www.newu.uci.edu/archive/1999-2000/fall/990920/n-990920-science2.html
http://www.mozarteffect.com/
Listen so some of the "Mozart Effect" pieces at http://www.jinsuk.pe.kr/mp3classic/emp3/Album/Mozart_Effect.html

Music can be used as treatment for physical and mental conditions from stroke to cerebral palsy to depression. Read more about music therapy at these sites: http://www.mikebyde.freeserve.co.uk/musictherapy/GoodMedicine.htm
http://www.mikebyde.freeserve.co.uk/musictherapy/index.htm
http://stress.about.com/library/weekly/aa052901a.htm?once=true&
http://www.amc-music.com/brain/utexstroke.html

A Swedish study even shows that involvement with music is linked with increased longevity! Read about it at http://pionet.net/~hub7/irv.htm

And what's more, it is never too late to learn to make music... http://www.musica.uci.edu/mrn/V3I1S96.html#nevertoolate

So what are you waiting for? Make some music!

If you have any favorite sites or topics you'd like to see mentioned in Cyberfolk, please let us know. Write to me care of Common Times, or email me at chris.mcintosh@usa.net. See you in Cyberspace!

Check out Cyberfolk Online! http://shark.dls.net/~chrismac/cyberfolk