Let’s set the scene.
You’re in the kitchen, stirring a pot of soup, maybe humming along to a favorite tune from your younger days. You’re not doing it for your health—at least, not consciously. But what if I told you that humming, tapping, or full-on belting that chorus from 1976 is doing something powerful inside your brain?
Music isn’t just feel-good fluff. It’s medicine. Real, measurable, brain-changing medicine.
Researchers are now zeroing in on how music impacts everything from memory to motor skills. We’re talking Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, even the frustrating “senior moments” that sneak into our days. And unlike many wellness trends that ask you to overhaul your diet or schedule, this one starts with pressing play.
Music Gets Our Brain in Sync
Here’s where it gets cool. Our brains move to their own beat—literally. They operate in rhythms (called brainwaves), and when those rhythms fall out of sync, things like memory and focus start to fray. That’s especially true in Alzheimer’s.
But music? Music can re-tune those rhythms.
According to researchers like Dr. Edward Large, music is one of the most powerful tools we have for realigning the brain’s electrical symphony. Paired with rhythmic light therapy, the right music might even help support memory retrieval by syncing up brainwaves tied to recall.
This isn’t fantasy. It’s real-time research happening right now.
Move Over, Meds—Make Room for Movement and Melody
If you’ve ever seen someone with Parkinson’s suddenly walk more steadily when a beat drops, that’s no coincidence. Music acts like an external timekeeper for our bodies, helping with coordination and mood. And for folks with multiple sclerosis, music may help reroute movement through healthy neural paths.
Turns out, tapping your foot to the beat is more than just polite engagement—it’s neuro-rehabilitation.
And let’s not forget singing. Group singing has been shown to improve speech in stroke survivors, strengthen memory in older adults, and boost mood all around. Bonus: it doesn’t matter if you’re tone deaf. (Yes, really. Rhythm might still be on your side.)
Memory, Mood, and the Magic of Pleasure
Why does music help us remember the lyrics to a song from 40 years ago, but not where we put our reading glasses?
It all comes down to dopamine—our brain’s little reward molecule. Music activates pleasure centers in the brain, and when we feel good, our brains light up. That lighting up boosts memory, social connection, language, and more.
And get this: the music that lights up your brain the most isn’t just familiar—it’s meaningful. So if you’re looking for a brain boost, don’t just hit shuffle on a top-40 playlist. Cue up the songs that have lived inside you. The ones tied to first kisses, road trips, or the smell of your mom’s kitchen. That’s where the real magic lives.
So, What Can You Do Right Now?
Make music part of your daily wellness ritual.
Revisit your personal soundtrack. (No judgment if that includes disco.)
Sing in the shower, in the car, or with a group—off-key is absolutely allowed.
If you’re caring for someone with memory loss, try curating a playlist from their past. Watch what happens.
Music won’t cure everything—but it might just make everything feel a little more alive.
Because when it comes to your health, especially as you age, joy is not optional. It’s essential.
Hi Alison, this totally reminds me that my humming and singing (not only in the shower) is a great part of my daily rituals.
Granted, I don’t have the voice of any great singer but I definitely have the correct tone! LOL!
Thanks for reminder us that sometimes, the answer to the dark clouds over our heads can start with a very happy song that reminds us of better times and days.
Alison, this was such an eye-opener. I’ve also noticed how singing or listening to old tracks lifts my own mood when I’m stressed.I tend not to listen to music now, I find it distracting, sitting in a quiet room gives me more I find. Thanks for the great blog post. Atif
Absolutely LOVED this post! It’s wild how something as simple as singing in the kitchen or dancing around to an old favourite can be doing serious good for our brains. I always thought my mum’s habit of humming while she cooked was just her being quirky, but now I’m thinking she was low-key biohacking before it was cool
I’ll definitely be revisiting my own ‘life soundtrack’—hello Spice Girls, ABBA, and a touch of 90s R&B! Thanks for the gentle reminder that joy isn’t just a nice extra—it’s part of the prescription. Off to press play now…
Hi Alison – I think this post was meant for me, ha ha ha! I love my music, and I love to tap along and I love to sing along with my favorite songs (much to the pain of those around me) :). I never realized that there is so much more to music than just the pleasure that it brings my ears. I love the fact that it is filled with science and that there are healing powers within each note. This gives me permission to continue singing and dancing and tapping away! Thank you for your most informative post!
Alison! What a beautiful reminder that the best medicine sometimes comes through our headphones!
I love how you’ve captured something we’ve all felt, that moment when a familiar song makes us stand straighter or remember more clearly. The idea that meaningful music works better than random playlists makes perfect sense.
Thanks for the nudge to treat music as brain food, not just background noise. Time to dust off those old favorites!
Meredith
Synchronistically, an app was recommended to me called “Brain.FM” which was designed to integrate brain and body for productivity. When I use it, I am definitely more focused!! It helps bring the zone immediately into play!!
Dancing is another activity that beings joy! I haven’t gone dancing in ages!! It’s time!