The Negative Effects of Music on the Brain

Although music has many benefits for the brain and body there are still harmful effects due to various factors. The most important negative effect music has on the body and mind is based on the quality and type of music. It is different for everyone, as a song that is upsetting to one person may have no effect on someone else; a listener whose passions are strong, will be influenced differently than a listener who is emotionally dull and unresponsive. A person in love will be more excited by erotic music than when their passion is dormant. This can be good for a listener but in extreme cases, when listeners are overly sensitive, music can cause issues for the body and mind. Another issue that can arise is the arrangement of the music played. When different impressions are made in succession, this can arouse “confusing and conflicting emotions” (The Unbounded Spirit). Common scenarios when this happens are when the soothing effect of a piece is destroyed by the energetic effect of the following piece and when the joyful stimulation of a piece is neutralized by the depressing influence of another. These experiences are mostly seen at concerts and can also be the cause of an excessive amount of music played during a long concert. The excessive amount of music “can cause nervous fatigue and psychological indigestion” (The Unbounded Spirit).

The type of music played can also have a negative effect on the brain. A popular type of music that produces this effect is music that arouses the instincts and excites people because of its sensual enchantment. This kind of music can have injurious effects on a human, causing harm to the body and mind. Another harmful type of music consists of those that are very depressing as they can cause grief, distress, agony, and despair. This kind of music may have artistic merit and may have given relief to the artist but will act as a psychological poison to the listener. With proper precautions music can be enjoyed without negative effects coming in to play.

Works Cited

Depressing Music. www.flickr.com/photos/rbochet/6160237496. Accessed 11 Dec. 2018.

"The Harmful Effects of Music on Body and Mind." The Unbounded Spirit, theunboundedspirit.com/the-harmful-effects-of-music-on-body-and-mind/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2018.

Study Music Alpha Waves. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEEHdaRo5mE. Accessed 11 Dec. 2018.