It’s been a long and hard day at school. You’re tired and you just want to relax. You pop in your earbuds and start your playlist. All of a sudden, nothing matters. You’re happy and that’s all you care about. 

It’s a known fact that almost everyone loves music, whether that be rock, hip-hop, jazz or any other genre. Music is everywhere nowadays. It’s nearly impossible to go an entire day without hearing some form of music, even if it’s just a tap on a desk that sounds like some drums. But the question is, why? Why do human beings like music?

 Music has a large effect on the human mind and body. When listing to music we love, our brains release dopamine. Dopamine is the same chemical that our body releases when we workout, eat good food or take powerful drugs. In other words, it makes you feel good. With this in mind, you can be addicted to music. Listening to the new pop album is equivalent to trying the new drug on the street, but far less dangerous. In fact, music is more helpful than harmful to humans.

A study by Northcentral University has found that listening to music has helped students in a classroom focus better. 

“Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time, and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory,” says Dr. Masha Godkin of NCU.

The study suggests listening to music with no lyrics when doing work, as lyrics can keep you from focusing. 

Music has also been proven to help people with mental disorders. 

“Research demonstrates that adding music therapy to treatment improves symptoms and social functioning among schizophrenics. Further, music therapy has demonstrated efficacy as an independent treatment for reducing depression, anxiety and chronic pain.” said Michael Friedman, a writer at Psychology Today. 

Next time you feel stressed or tired, don’t be afraid to crank on some tunes and just relax.. Music is the key to the soul and always will be. Nothing can replace it. And all you have to do is take advantage of it.