Scientists in Australia have sought to find out what signals music sends to the brain and how it can influence our bodies so much.
Have you ever wondered why music makes you want to dance? You should know that the scientific community regularly examines the subject, in order to better understand the functioning of our brain, and the way in which it controls our body. A new study, published recently in the American journal PNAS goes in this direction. While the researchers’ conclusions do not fully answer the question, they take one step closer to certainty: bass plays a major role.
The bass, the basis of the rhythm
Australian researchers from theMARCS Institute from Western Sydney University in Australia, focused exclusively on low-frequency sound. “Bass instruments are traditionally used as rhythmic foundations, while treble instruments carry the melodic content,” the latter explain.
To carry out the study, the scientists played musical and rhythmic patterns on participants. Some were in low tones, others in high tones. During this time, they recorded brain activity using theelectroencephalography.
Specific areas of the brain stimulated
According to the study’s findings, brain activity synchronizes with the frequency of the beats. In addition, music very rich in bass keeps the brain on the beat better. For researchers, this synchronization is explained. The bass would mobilize areas of the brain related to motor functions, such as the cerebellum where the basal ganglia (also called basal ganglia).
The authors encourage further studies, particularly on the medical role of music and dance. For example, research has already explained how dancing could slow cognitive impairment in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
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