Neurobiological Processing of Music: A Review

Music’s relation with human history is universal which is integrated throughout the human evolution. This led to the researches by musicologists, psychologists and most recently by the neuroscientists. The neuroscientific studies revealed that music is processed in different regions of the brain which influences the functional and structural aspects of brain regions. While processing it triggers and regulates the neurochemicals that influences the physical and psychological wellbeing. The musical elements are also processed in different parts of the brain eliciting different emotions, mood and feelings. These led to music’s use in therapeutic process in a clinical setup. Further neuroscientific studies are required to discover other potentials of music to make use for both individual and social wellbeing. This article focuses on the neuroscience of music by reviewing the literature on the neuro-scientific basis of music in order to offer support for the claim that music practice and participation can positively contribute to individuals living a flourishing life by positively influencing psychological, physiological, cognitive and social life.