How about we talk about something that has been a complete game changer for me during my recovery, music.. I’m not just talking about playing tunes in the background I mean music as a tool for healing, creativity and rewiring my brain after my injury. I didn’t fully realize how powerful music was until I needed it. After my brain injury my emotions were all over the place. Some days I felt frustrated and restless while other days I felt completely drained, like my brain wasn’t even mine anymore. That’s when I really started paying attention to how music affect me. It wasn't just as something enjoyable, but as something that could change the way I think and feel in real time.
Music and the Brain: Why It’s More Than Just Noise
From a scientific perspective music is like a superpower for your brain. When you listen to music, multiple areas of the brain light up processing rhythm, melody and lyrics while also activating emotion, creativity and movement. It’s one of the only activities that engages both hemispheres of the brain at once, which is why it’s used in everything from memory recall therapy to stroke recovery.
Below are a few key ways music impacts the brain:
🎵 Releases Dopamine: The feel-good chemical that makes you want to keep going. This is why certain songs can instantly boost your mood or make you feel motivated.
🎵 Reduces Cortisol: The stress hormone that often feels way too high after a TBI? Music helps lower it by creating a sense of calm and relaxation.
🎵 Boosts Creativity: Music stimulates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for problem-solving and creative thinking. That’s why so many people find inspiration while listening to their favorite song.
🎵 Engages Emotion & Memory: Ever hear a song and get hit with a wave of nostalgia? That’s because music taps into the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for emotions and long-term memories.
Music became my reset button when I felt stuck. It wasn’t just something I listened to it was something I used to shift my emotions and unlock creativity when words didn’t seem to work.
When I Needed Energy: I built a playlist of high-energy songs that helped me get moving. On days when I had no motivation, putting on music gave me that extra push to start the day.
When I Felt Overwhelmed: Slower instrumental tracks became my go-to for calming my nervous system. If my thoughts felt chaotic, music helped me regain focus and feel grounded. I found a lot of success in this with my clients as well.
When I Needed Creativity: This was the biggest one for me. I’ve always found that certain songs can open up my brain in ways nothing else can. Whether I’m brainstorming, writing or just thinking through an idea, music helps me access that creative flow state. It’s like flipping a switch that turns scattered thoughts into inspiration.
The Science of Music and Recovery
For those of us recovering from a brain injury music isn’t just entertainment it’s a therapeutic tool. There’s even a field called neurologic music therapy (NMT) that helps people regain speech, improve motor function and reduce pain through music-based exercises.
🎶 Rhythm & Movement: The brain’s motor regions sync with rhythm, which is why music can help with balance, walking and coordination. Many stroke and TBI patients see major improvements in mobility with music therapy.
🎶 Creativity & Cognitive Processing: Music activates the prefrontal cortex helping with decision-making, focus and generating new ideas something that can be difficult after a brain injury.
🎶 Emotional Healing: Music has been proven to help with PTSD, anxiety and depression by triggering serotonin and oxytocin chemicals that regulate mood and connection. (Read last blog post to learn more about these chemicals)
Music is Medicine
If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that music isn’t just background noise it’s a brain booster, a mood regulator and a recovery tool. It has helped me through some of my hardest moments, and I’ve seen firsthand how it helps others too. So the next time you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed or creatively blocked, put on a song that shifts your energy. Let your brain soak in the rhythm, the melody, the emotion. Music isn’t just something you listen to, it’s something that can move you forward.
I have attached a link to a song that really described my recovery, hope you enjoy and please share your favorite song as well :)
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