How Rock and Pop Music Help Us Discover Ourselves

In this series on the incredible impact of music on the brain, we’ve learned that it has a myriad of benefits for improved cognitive function as a whole. In today’s post, we zone in on some of the specifically exciting features of rock and pop music that help us to form our own identity, connect with others, process our feelings, and boost our brains to full capacity.

Understanding who we are

Rock and pop music are prevalent genres that are often associated with shared experiences, such as concerts. The communal aspect of connecting over a mutual passion can be of great help in combatting feelings of isolation and loneliness that contribute to poorer brain health outcomes. Rock music has its roots in counterculture and rebellion, which can help many feel more comfortable in expressing themselves and forming a solid identity. Pop music, as the name suggests, is loved by enormous sections of the population, meaning that it encourages connections between diverse groups of people.

Channeling our inner feelings

We’ve spoken before about the ability of music to aid in regulating our emotions, and you’ll be pleased to hear that rock and pop tunes are no different.

Whilst rock music is more associated with raw emotion, intensity, and catharsis, pop bangers can help to create that uplifting, feel-good sensation, boosting the levels of the brain chemicals we know and love, like dopamine.

Giving our brain a workout

There is a phenomenon known as “brainwave entrainment,” sometimes referred to as neural entrainment, or brainwave synchronization. This describes the way in which certain repetitive frequencies and beats found in various stimuli, including rock and pop music, can induce brainwave patterns that are linked to desirable mental and cognitive states.

Pop music, for instance, is known for being ‘catchy’, with repetitive patterns known as “musical mnemonics” that allow us to flex those memory skills that are so helpful for the brain across our lifespan.

And for the rockers among us, the varied changes in intensity and tempo can lead to a greater level of cognitive flexibility, building task-switching and decision-making skills, and even promoting greater impulse control. Any country or folk fans out there? You’ve not been forgotten about! We’ll be taking a look at all the ways that these treasured genres also can benefit your brain next time!