I don't listen to classical music very often. If you don't, either, maybe we should start. Here's a summary of a University of Helskinki study of the influence of classical music on our genes, as reported in Science Daily:
Although listening to music is common in all societies, the biological determinants of listening to music are largely unknown. According to a new study, listening to classical music enhanced the activity of genes involved in dopamine secretion and transport, synaptic neurotransmission, learning and memory, and down-regulated the genes mediating neurodegeneration. Several of the up-regulated genes were known to be responsible for song learning and singing in songbirds, suggesting a common evolutionary background of sound perception across species.
It would be interesting to find out whether other kinds of music have the same effect. In the meantime, I'm listening to Mozart's Violin Sonata No. 32 in B-Flat Major and I feel better already...
If there is a piece of classical music that you feel is especially powerful, feel free to share it in the comments.
