People Who Don’t Like Music Might Have a “Disconnected” Brain

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There are many people who do not like music whereas others love it. Those who do not enjoy music may have lower blood flow in the brain’s reward networks, resulting in less functional activity between the auditory processing and reward centers (Macdonald, 2016). A study was performed using three groups; categorized as indifferent, normal, and individuals who love music. Participant’s brains were imaged while listening to music along with other rewarding activities using an fMRI scan. Images displayed lower blood flow in the reward system in those who do not enjoy music. It also showed reduced activity between the right auditory cortex and ventral striatum. Participants who experienced pleasure while listening to music exhibited an increase in activity compared to normal participants. Therefore, communication in the auditory cortex and subcortical reward network are crucial in the pleasurable response to music.

               The ventral tegmental area and ventral striatum are both associated with reward and are responsible for reinforcing pleasurable behavior. Various types of music can affect an individual’s mood. For instance, listening to enjoyable music will trigger the release of dopamine just like it would in other rewarding behaviors like gambling, praise, drug use, etc. Music evokes different types of behavior like driving too fast, due to the release of dopamine and its tranquil and positive effects on one’s disposition. It is also unfortunate for people who are indifferent to music because it is also a viable tool for learning, which can be used to teach a child their ABC’s.

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3918546/People-don-t-like-music-suffer-disconnected-brains-researchers-claim.html

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 28, 2016 at 6:13 PM

    This is an awesome study to write about. I wish the study involved people who listen to one genre of music versus people that listen to everything. I listen to different genres all the time, I have so many Pandora stations that the cite won't allow me to add anymore. A lot of my friends, however, refuse to listen to anything but one type and I do notice differences between each of them. For instance, my roommate only listens to Bassnector and he is the stereotypical person you would assume to see at music festivals. While another person only likes music like Adele and Duffy, her taste in music also matches her personality, she is calm and quiet just like the music she listens too.

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    Replies
    1. MarcusMNovember 29, 2016 at 2:36 AM

      I agree it would be interesting to get even more specific to see how genre's effected each person differently and how.

      Delete
  2. UnknownNovember 29, 2016 at 12:02 AM

    Music is definitely a powerful factor in my moods and well being - it is interesting to make the connection to the brain and the rewards area. I have read articles about using music as a form of therapy for patients suffering from traumatic brain damage and I would be interested to know and understand the impact on certain areas of the brain and if the scans would show any other associations when there is a reduction of normal brain functions.

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