Everyone has songs that bring them back to a moment in time. Whether that song makes you think of your first love, first heartbreak, or first music festival, music has a direct connection with long term memory. Sadly, Akon's "Right Now" brings back blurry memories of dancing around dirty frat houses but nobody's perfect. On a more positive note, I can still name all 50 states in alphabetical order thanks to a song I learned in 5th grade music class and the only reason I know the quadratic equation is because my high school math teacher had a little jingle to go along with it. This connection between music and memory is so strong that psychologists have been diving deeper into music healing's capabilities.
Doctors have been using music therapy to help patients that suffer from Alzheimer's and Dementia. These patients, even ones that disease's have progressed so far that they have lost language, still respond to music. Doctor Oliver Sacks said of these patients that, "the past, which is not recoverable in any other way, is embedded, as if in amber, in the music, and people can regain a sense of identity."
This video below shows Harry who at the time of release, had been suffering from dementia for a decade and was unable to speak. Once Harry was given an iPod with his favorite music, he suddenly was able to sing, remembering all the words, and reminiscing about that time in his life. Fair warning, grab your tissues.
The non-profit organization Music & Memory believes in the power of music so much, that their entire mission is dedicated to providing personalized music to the elderly to improve their quality of life. They have even seen a reduction in the need for psychoactive drugs once the therapy begins.
There's no doubt about it, music is powerful. Music is medicine.
*If you'd like to donate an iPod, to Music & Memory and help with this beautiful mission you can do so here.
