As for many others, music has always been a large part of my life. It can take us back in time and capture a moment. About four years ago, I became sensitive to the music I listened to; I noticed that a specific type of music elevated my ego. At the same time, I was trying to rid myself of an obsession with fitness and vanity. It sounds deep, I know, but it was.
I began to connect the dots on the things that keep me tethered to this lifestyle, and one of them was music. Until this point in my life, I didn’t realize the impact music can have. So, I changed what I was listening to, and guess what happened? I changed, too! This was not the only thing I changed, but it was a major component.
Like many abstract things in life, such as music, there is a science that can explain the inner workings. However, the science did not prompt me to change what I was listening to. The inner prompt we get and often ignore did. Science only confirmed that music can change our behavior. Music is also a tool that can change our perception; others may also know this and use it to their advantage. I am not a conspiracist, but I know there are no coincidences.
What are brain waves?
Our brain is the organ that controls approximately 600 muscles in our body. These muscles are made of tissue grouped into elastic bundles that contract to produce motion. It is the command center and controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger, and every process that regulates our body!
Brainwaves are at the root of our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Our brainwaves change according to what we’re doing and feeling. When slower brainwaves dominate, we can feel tired, slow, and sluggish; when the higher frequencies dominate, we feel hyper-alert. Brainwave speed is measured in Hertz (cycles per second). This is not meant to be a science class, so please stay with me here. This is fascinating information on how everything we listen to can change our thoughts and behavior.
How do our brainwaves affect us daily?
Our daily experiences in the world and our brainwaves are inseparable. When our brainwaves are out of balance, there will be related problems in our emotional or neuro-physical health. Emotional and neurological conditions directly correspond to our brainwaves.
Brainwaves stimulate our voluntary movements and thoughts. A simulant can produce over-arousal and under-arousal in specific brain areas; a state of arousal could alter one of the brain’s decision-making centers. Various stimulants can alter brain chemistry, such as food, caffeine medications, and recreational drugs. Music can also alter brainwaves and their activity, being an emotionally charged sensory stimulant.
Over-arousal in specific brain areas is linked with the following:
- anxiety disorders
- sleep problems
- nightmares
- hyper-vigilance
- impulsive behavior
- anger/aggression
- agitated depression
- chronic nerve pain
- spasticity
Under-arousal in certain parts of the brain can lead to:
- depression
- attention deficit
- chronic pain
- insomnia.
A lack of stability in brain rhythms is directly linked with the following:
- tics
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- aggressive behavior, rage, explosive behavior.
- grind, gnash, or clench teeth
- panic attacks
- bipolar disorder
- migraines
- narcolepsy, sleep apnea
- epilepsy,
- vertigo – the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning.
- “hearing” noises in your ears
- anorexia/bulimia
- diabetes, hypoglycemia
How does altering our brainwaves affect us?
Any process that changes your perception changes your brainwaves. As stated previously, chemicals and sounds can alter our brainwaves. Music is so powerful on the brain waves that it increases blood flow to brain regions that generate and control emotions. The limbic system, which is involved in processing emotions and controlling memory, “fires up” when our ears perceive music.
Music comprises sounds generated by waveforms whose frequency is expressed in Hertz. 432 Hertz is the frequency closest to that of nature’s sound, which the universe vibrates; some call it the “Heartbeat of the Earth.” How beautiful is that! The Earth has a sound, which we can refer to as a heartbeat. The most natural sound we can listen to comes directly from the Earth and is woven into the fabric of our beings.
Music is tuned in both 432 and 440 Hertz. Otherwise known as the frequency.
There is a mathematical equation for 432 Hertz, and this frequency is closest to the sound of nature. This same mathematical relationship does not exist at 440 Hertz. Because of this harmonic misalignment, listening to 440 Hertz music makes people anxious, nervous, or aggressive because it is not in harmony with the natural frequency of the planet Earth. 432 Hertz is especially pleasing to the ear, reduces stress, and promotes emotional stability, aiding a calmer, happier, and relaxed state of mind.
The Worldwide Standard of Music
There is a worldwide standard in music, and it began to change from 432 Hertz to 440 Hertz in the 1950s. Music tuned at 432 Hertz is not related to the musical genre, such as classical, jazz, rock, pop, etc., but to the frequency and the relationships between notes, chords, and keys of the music. “Our DNA is sensitive to frequencies. Human DNA is sensitive to music and its relative frequencies and can even be reprogrammed through them. Subjecting stem cells to various frequencies has made modifying their natural organic function possible.” Professor Carlo Ventura’s team.
I will leave you with this Bible verse. Please keep in mind that the entire verse has context that is well worth unpacking and can be found in the book of Daniel. Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. -1 Samuel 16:23 (NIV)
Saul’s servants are aware of the afflicting spirit and suggest that music would soothe the king during times of torment. He asks them to recruit a skillful musician to play the lyre when he is affected. We live in a spirit-filled world; modern culture has wholly abandoned this reality. Every other civilization that has come before us has recognized that we are spiritual beings. Abandoning this reality has left us wide open to being led by whatever fad is in vogue. The world of music and its industry can change us and our behavior. Perhaps, it is best to stay vigilant and listen to that inner prompting.