Why researchers are turning to music as a possible treatment for stroke, brain injuries and even Parkinson’s

You probably don’t realize it when you’re listening to your favorite song, but music has an incredibly powerful effect on the human brain. Singing, playing an instrument or listening to music have all been shown to activate numerous areas of the brain that control speech, movement and cognition, memory and emotion—often all at the same time. Remarkably, research also suggests that music can physically increase brain matter, which could help the brain repair itself.