News & Jukebox Chart

Background music linked to memory functions in the brain

At Soundnet, we consistently stress the importance of having the right music. The appropriate background system music can shape the atmosphere of a pub, restaurant or spa. Songs have the power to influence the mood of clientele, while also creating the perfect ambiance for your drinkers or diners.

But a new study from an American institution has found that music also has the power to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s. The research, from the University of California, demonstrated that Alzheimer’s sufferers could improve their memory by listening to their favourite music. The study, which scanned the brain activity of 13 students while they listened to background music, discovered that the section of the brain associated with listening to music is also associated with memories. The research hypothesises that playing familiar songs to those suffering from the disease could help the brain form some degree of resistance to the condition.

Speaking about the research, Professor Petr Janata from the University of California commented:

“What seems to happen is that a piece of familiar music serves as a soundtrack for a mental movie that starts playing in our head.

“It calls back memories of a particular person or place, and you might all of a sudden see that person’s face in your mind’s eye. Now we can see the association between those two things – the music and the memories.”

The track listings on our background music systems regularly demonstrate the connection between music and memories. We’ve seen favourite festival tracks re-enter the chart after the Glastonbury and Reading weekends, while classic hits jump up the rankings after episodes of Life on Mars or This is England. Songs have the ability to transport customers back to another time in their life; a background music system needs to have a comprehensive collection of tracks just in case your customers ever want to take a trip down memory lane.

Contact us today to find out more information about how we can help with your background music system requirements.

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