am attending a talk on the healing and restorative effects of music on the brain, and it is _fascinating_

Does music slow cognitive decline? the science is still out--the theory is that music may help with the 'cognitive reserve', which thus slows decline in dementia/etc

BUT. Does music have knock-on effects we know help? Yes -- learning and playing music engages long-term memory. Playing music with others increases social engagement. Both are negatively correlated with cognitive decline

Music decreases stress--something something "parasympathetic nervous system" i am not a brain scientist

It also helps encourage exercise--we know music engages the motor parts of the brain and thus pairs with exercise, which has SO MANY beneficial effects on the bdy

the researchers have an upcoming paper where the effects of group singing match the effects of group yoga -- increased oxytocin, decreased pain receptors, increases in mood

oh INTERESTING. These effects are more in community-oriented choirs. In elite-level choirs, where there is pressure to perform, the pressure to be "good" actually overrides the benefits of doing the activity

The more engaged you are with the music, the bigger the effects -- but sitting at your desk listening to headphones is still better than nothing. Getting up and dancing to it is even better. Performing in groups is even better, but we don't all have to be performers.

What kind of music? The "Mozart effect" is basically debunked. Listen to what you like, as enjoying it makes you more engaged.

There's something about music from youth--age 15-25--that is even more engaging to the brain. Long term memory? Music you relate to better? Not sure.

going to just share this slide entirely

Is there a 'dose effect'? With acute stress, within a couple of minutes of listening to music, they see calming effects on heart rate, breathing, etc.