Your Brain on Music: The science behind its connecting power

If my life were a Venn Diagram, I’d stand at the intersection of medicine and music. The brain fascinates me, so much so that I studied it and dedicated a large part of my work to it. But so does music. I love it, I live it, and have found a way to work with it. What music does to the brain and its impact on humans is something that has intrigued us all at some moment in time. So, here’s some more to be intrigued by. 

A simple, yet profound phenomenon that we are all familiar with: the power of music to unite us. According to a study conducted by technology giants Apple and Sonos, the average person spends 4.5 hours each day immersed in music. But this isn't just about individual preferences; it's about the transformative impact music has on relationships, communities, and even society as a whole. The study focused on households where music became the thread that wove people closer together. When music played, distances between housemates diminished, giving rise to shared cooking experiences and heightened moments of laughter—increased by 15%. The magic didn't stop there; the presence of music led to an 85% surge in the frequency of inviting friends over, an 18% uptick in expressions of affection with "I love you," and an astounding 37% rise in intimacy.

The implications are clear: music isn't just an auditory pleasure; it's an enchanting force that enhances relationships, kindles emotions, and forms bonds that resonate far beyond the melodies themselves.

But why does music hold such sway over us? The answer lies in its ability to induce altered states of consciousness—a phenomenon humans have been seeking through various means for centuries. From meditation to psychedelics, to extreme sports, the pursuit of ecstasis (a greek word meaning "outside itself"), or ecstasy, has been a central theme in human history. And, music technology has—and still is revolutionizing this pursuit, offering the promise of altered states without the risks.

Throughout history, evidence of music's transcendental impact can be found in the acoustic marvels of religious sites and ancient cave art. Archeologists have uncovered Neolithic paintings deep within caves, strategically placed at resonant points that amplify their spiritual significance. Churches in Greece were designed to create a "slap echo" effect, resembling the sound of angel wings, while Notre Dame's arches double as subwoofers for organ pipes, transforming sound into a divine experience.

Neurologist Oliver Sacks explains that across cultures, music's core purpose is to unify and harmonize humanity. This rings true in the way music can induce trance-like states during dancing, chanting, and singing. These experiences, often more readily accessible in groups, lead to brain waves shifting from agitated beta to the low frequency alpha and dreamy theta waves associated with altered consciousness. The result? Reduced stress hormones, like cortisol, increased bonding and reward neurochemicals, such as serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, as well as an uncanny synchronization of our brain activity to not only the beat, but to fellow listeners. That’s right: you are vibrating on the same frequency. 

Why are these states favored by our brains? The preference for relaxed states doesn't imply distraction, in fact, it's quite the contrary. Such states cultivate a heightened alertness that enables seamless transitions between ideas with minimized resistance. When the prefrontal cortex exhibits reduced activity, distractions are subdued, and rumination about oneself, the past, and future dissipate, creating space for novel viewpoints. The brain's release of endorphins during these states also promotes connection to our intuition. Any type of contemplative practice, and yes, that includes making/playing/listening to music, can also produce gamma waves, which are related to learning, attention, emotional regulation, creativity, and insight. For example, if you've ever experienced a breakthrough or an "aha" moment, there very likely may have been a burst of gamma wave activity, as various parts of the brain come together to form a new understanding or connection. Think of these gamma waves surging to illuminate the proverbial light bulb.

This explanation might be ringing a bell for you, as it is the language often used to describe the action of psychedelics, such as psilocybin, in the brain. Altered states of consciousness promoting connectivity, learning, and breakthroughs can be achieved through a variety of practices, whether it's meditation or a trance-inducing musical experience.

Enter Tony Andrews, the co-founder of Funktion-One, the audio technology that was integral in reshaping our auditory landscape. Andrews once referred to an "audio moment"—an elusive state where music engulfs us completely, transporting us to new realms of self-awareness. His first “audio moment” was hearing Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" at the age of 9, inspiring him to embark on a lifelong mission to recreate and share his first transformative encounter with sound with the masses. At 16, while tinkering with audio equipment, he pointed a loud speaker towards the back wall of a garage, creating a 3 wall surround sound, mimicking the bell of a trumpet. This led to what we call "horn-loaded bass", an important revolution in live concert experiences, bringing the transformative power of music to vast audiences.

As sound engineers, avid music appreciators, and everyone in between come to the realization that music is capable of dissolving ego boundaries, the ripple effect of this audial revolution is profound. It signifies a profound connection that resonates with vast audiences, uniting them in a collective experience within a shared environment. This connection goes beyond the music; it encompasses the power and the potency of the sound itself, and its potential to reach everyone.

Whether experienced in the comfort of one's living room with surround sound and galaxy projectors, or amid a sea of hundreds of thousands at a festival, music can resonate deep within us, forging connections that defy ego-driven separateness. It's a sonic symphony that compels us to embrace the present moment—a harmonious meeting point of diverse lives and energies. It’s the weightless flow-state a musician will enter when composing, producing or performing. When one is so tapped in, the effort melts into…ecstasy. 

Perhaps this will sound dreamy and idealistic, but ultimately, the pursuit of altered states through music, dance or whatever conduits you prefer, can serve as the catalyst for a more harmonious society; an interconnected web of individuals united by shared experiences and values. These experiences on the dance floor, of connectivity, both to and through music, offer a glimpse into a world of heightened self-awareness, enhanced creativity, and the fusion of diverse ideas. It is increased selflessness, self awareness, and clarity regarding one's life path, paired with the enhanced ability to course correct. It is the experience of timelessness that will shape behavior, granting more patience, compassion, and favoring experiences over material things. Presence in the current moment provides real and clear information, as the past is subject to distortion. Simply, it is a world where harmony, in all its meanings, becomes the guiding principle, weaving the threads of humanity into a tapestry of shared existence.