Music has a strong influence on the brain, and can have a range of effects on the body and mind. It can affect our emotions, memories, and even our physical arousal. Studies have shown that music can have a positive effect on the brain, improving cognitive function and enhancing learning and memory. It can also reduce stress and anxiety, and has been used in therapy to help patients with a variety of mental and physical health conditions.
An explanation of several different types of noise and their characteristics:
White noise: White noise is a type of noise that has a flat frequency spectrum, meaning that it contains equal amounts of all frequencies within a certain range. It sounds like a constant hiss, like the sound of a fan or a TV tuned to an empty channel. White noise can be used to mask other sounds, making it useful for helping people sleep or concentrate. White noise: You can use white noise to help you sleep or concentrate. It can be particularly useful for masking other sounds that might be distracting, such as traffic noise or the sound of your coworkers talking. White noise: https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/whiteNoiseGenerator.php
Pink noise: Pink noise is similar to white noise, but with a slightly different frequency spectrum. Instead of having equal amounts of all frequencies, pink noise has equal amounts of energy in each octave. This means that lower frequencies are louder in pink noise than in white noise. Pink noise has a deeper, richer sound than white noise and is often used for sound masking or for testing audio equipment. Pink noise: You can use pink noise to help you sleep or to mask other sounds. It can also be used for testing audio equipment or for creating a more natural sound environment in a space. Pink noise: https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/pinkNoiseGenerator.php
Brown noise: Brown noise, also known as red noise, is similar to pink noise, but with even more emphasis on the lower frequencies. It has a deeper, more rumbling sound than pink noise. Brown noise: You can use brown noise to help you sleep or relax. It can also be used for sound masking or for creating a more natural sound environment. Brown noise: https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/brownNoiseGenerator.php
Blue noise: Blue noise is the opposite of pink noise, with more energy at higher frequencies and less energy at lower frequencies. It has a brighter, more "shiny" sound than white noise. Blue noise: You can use blue noise to help you concentrate or to create a sense of calm and tranquility. Blue noise: https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/blueNoiseGenerator.php
Violet noise: Violet noise, also known as purple noise, is similar to blue noise, but with even more emphasis on the higher frequencies. It has a very high-pitched, almost metallic sound. Violet noise: You can use violet noise to help you concentrate or to create a sense of energy and excitement. Violet noise: https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/purpleNoiseGenerator.php
These colors are not actually related to the colors we see, but rather to the colors of the rainbow. The names were chosen to describe the relative balance of frequencies in the noise. White noise has a flat spectrum, like white light which contains all colors, while the other colors of noise have more or less energy at different frequencies, similar to how colors of the rainbow have more or less energy at different wavelengths.
It's important to note that the effects of these types of noise can vary from person to person. What works for one person might not work for another, so it's a good idea to experiment and see what works best for you.
Music makes you smarter, happier and more productive – but why?
Posted by: Team Tony
Music is a pervasive part of our daily lives, whether we notice it or not. Often, it melts into the background – on the radio, in the doctor’s office, at the supermarket or in the gym. While other times, it plays a more pronounced and overt role – if you’ve ever been to a Tony Robbins event, then you know how critical the playlist is. But what you may not know is just how profound the impact music has on us.
Music has the ability to impact us in a way that no other art form does. It unearths something deep within us that allows us to be transported to a specific place and time in our lives. We can actually experience who we were through sound. Have you ever considered the soundtrack of your life? What would it be? And how does each song make you feel?
This is the power of music. But it doesn’t stop at nostalgia.
Humans are hard-wired to enjoy music, since it activates the brain’s reward system – the part of the brain that signals to us whether something is important, valuable or necessary for survival. When we hear music that we enjoy, our brains release dopamine and we experience a natural high. It’s the same process that happens when we eat or have sex. But here’s the thing – unlike food and sex, music isn’t just about survival. It’s so much more than that.
Music is one of the most powerful tools for self-expression that we have. It allows us to think and to feel in ways we may not be naturally pre-disposed to. It has the power to expand our cognitive range. It has the power to move and inspire. It has the power to connect. And it even has the power to heal.
Music as medicine
We all know that music can evoke certain emotional responses. A zen-like playlist, for example, can lull us into sleep. Or soft, melodic tunes can help relax us after a hard day at work. But did you know that music can actually translate into physiological benefits?
In a study out of the University of London, researchers examined patients who were about to undergo surgery and monitored the impact music had on their stress levels. They found that listening to music before, during and after the procedure reduced people’s pain, anxiety and need for sedatives.
Music is also being used to help those inflicted with neurological deficits. Those recovering from stroke or traumatic brain injury, for example, are not able to speak when their left-brain region has been damaged. But singing is a function of the right side of the brain, so by learning how to sing their words then eventually dropping the melody, those inflicted can ultimately overcome the impairment. This is what former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords did after a gunshot wound took away her ability to speak.
Music and kids
Think of the alphabet song. “A, B, C, D, E, F, G…” – you know the tune. Ever wonder why they teach children the alphabet that way? Because music has been shown to help kids remember basic facts, in large part because songs tap into the fundamental system in our brains that are sensitive to melody and beat.
Music also has the power to enhance the emotional and social lives of children and adolescents. A recent study that examined how children and adolescents handle emotional issues, researchers saw that 8- to 16-year olds who received music therapy had significantly improved confidence and significantly reduced depression when compared to those who had treatment without music therapy. They also found that music therapy helped adolescents improve their communicative and interactive skills.
Music and babies
Have you ever seen an expecting mother place a pair of headphones onto her growing belly? There’s a good reason for it. Contrary to what we may believe, babies are not born as blank slates. In fact, they have already accumulated a significant amount of experience with the surrounding world.
Researchers found that “newborns seem to react to sounds during the fetal period and respond distinctly to them after birth.” And they pinpointed the 27-week gestational mark as when the external auditory input begins to reorganize the auditory cortex. Simply put – in the second trimester, the fetus not only experiences sound, but is influenced by it as well. But what is really fascinating about this study is the long-term implications. The researchers found that prenatal exposure to music can have “significant effects on the developing brain and enhance neural responsiveness to the sounds used in prenatal training.” In short, that means playing music to your unborn child will boost cognitive performance later on in life.
But the power of music doesn’t stop there for babies. Engaging and interactive musical experiences can have a significant impact on cognitive development in their earliest years.
In a study of 1-year old babies (who could not talk or walk yet) participating in interactive music classes, researchers found a significant increase in communication and reaction skills. While researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences found that play sessions with music improved babies’ brain processing of new speech sounds. So those baby music classes? They might not seem so silly now.
Music and you
Okay, so what about you? How does music help and enhance your life other than the obvious? We all know how music can impact our energy levels. Ever been to a workout class with a sleepy playlist? There’s nothing worse. And similarly, there’s nothing better than when a song comes on that energizes and excites you into a peak physical state.
Yet music isn’t only able to impact your mood or emotional state; it can actually influence the way you see the world and interact with others.
Researchers from the University of Groningen found that people will be more apt to recognize positive aspects of their surrounding environment when they are in a positive mood themselves. Play happy music, feel better, and you’ll have a more pleasant perspective.
Music has also been proven to enhance the environment at work. Researchers out of Cornell found that when upbeat music is played, team members are more likely to work together to contribute to the greater good. Whereas when jarring, unpleasant music was played, participants were more likely to focus on their own value at the work place.
This is the power of music. And as you’ve now seen, it goes far beyond an ability to enhance our moods. In fact, research has also shown it can reduce everyday stress, boost memory and creativity, enhance blood vessel function and even give an added boost to your immune system.
So the next time you decide to feed your mind, consider music. Perhaps some Vivaldi, or some Mozart…or anything that boosts your mood. Because it may be doing a lot more than you think.
There are several physical tools that can help you generate these types of noise:
Noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds: These can be used to listen to pre-recorded noise tracks, or you can use the noise-cancelling feature to create your own "white noise" by cancelling out other sounds in your environment. Noise-cancelling headphones: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=noise+cancelling+headphones
White noise machines: These devices are specifically designed to generate white noise, and many of them offer a range of different sounds, including pink, brown, blue, and violet noise. White noise machines: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=white+noise+machine
Smartphone apps: There are many smartphone apps available that can generate white noise and other types of noise. Some of these apps are free, while others require a purchase. Smartphone apps: You can find a wide range of white noise and other noise apps in your phone's app store.
Portable speakers: Some portable speakers come with built-in noise-generating features, allowing you to play pre-recorded noise tracks or create your own noise using the speaker's built-in microphone. Portable speakers: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=portable+speakers
Music can reduce stress and anxiety in a number of ways. Listening to calming music can relax the mind and body, which can help to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of stress hormones. Music can also provide a distraction from negative thoughts, allowing the listener to focus on something enjoyable instead of dwelling on stressful or anxious feelings. Additionally, music can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that can help to reduce pain and improve mood.
Music can enhance productivity and focus in several ways. Some people find that listening to music helps them to get into a flow state, where they are fully immersed in their work and can complete tasks more efficiently. Music can also provide a background soundtrack, helping to drown out distractions and allowing the listener to focus on their work. Some studies have even shown that certain types of music, such as classical or instrumental music, can improve cognitive function and memory, making it easier to learn new information and complete tasks that require mental effort.
Music has the ability to affect our emotions in a number of ways. Different types of music can evoke different emotions, from feelings of happiness and joy to sadness and melancholy. Listening to music that you enjoy can lift your mood and improve your overall emotional well-being. Music can also stimulate the release of endorphins, which can help to improve mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Additionally, music can serve as a reminder of happy memories, which can help to improve your emotional state.