Music is especially important to our minds. Depending on the music, our brains can process emotions and grow stronger with the help of music. Music can help us express emotions and it can trigger certain emotions based on what type of music you listen to. Listening to and learning music can aid us in processing information other than music; that would be utterly staggering. Ultimately what the issue boils down to is that music really affects our minds in a way that most of us don’t even realize. 
 
Some people aren’t aware of music’s full impact on us and our minds. According to the ‘Education through music’ it says that there are many ways that illustrate exactly how music can help in our brain’s contrasting functions. One thing they mention to paint the idea of this is that “Music accelerates development for babies and kids, enhancing their fine and gross motor skills, executive function, and sensory development.” But music doesn’t just affect babies' brains, it also affects people much older than that. Education through music also says that “The process of learning and playing an instrument increases brain power and functionality, resulting in a boosted IQ and improved concentration.” This one quote from the article shows that music strengthens our minds and the way we think. But another article called ‘How music affects your mind, mood and brain’ also says that “active music-making positively affects neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin.”  If you have no clue what “active music making” means, well a simple definition of it would be when someone is either playing music or listening to music in their free time without really thinking about the lyrics or melody.  If you have no clue what dopamine or serotonin is, well dopamine is a feel-good neurotransmitter. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in your brain that affects emotions and your moods. Serotonin also has an enormous impact on anxiety and that’s why people always say music helps with anxiety and calms you down when you need it most.  
 
We all listen to different genres of music. But no one really knows how certain types of music affect our brains. According to Verly Mag, one article they have written called, “The Brain Science to A Diverse Array of Music” They claimed that “Pop music is associated with higher levels of endurance and spurts of energy” Which means that Pop music makes you feel more energized and pumped up with happiness. Rap music is “often ones of hard work and personal transformation” Which means that when you listen to rap music, you want to make yourself a better person and you strive for personal development or change. Another genre that affects your brain and emotions is metal. People often think that metal music is loud and doesn’t make any sense, but according to this article, it says that “metal is associated with enhanced positive emotions” Also, if you didn’t know, one genre of music that affects our brains is Hip-Hop. Studies show that hip-hop music can have the effects of depression and anxiety reduce if you are in hip-hop therapy. Country music also has some effect on your brain's cognitive functions. Country music helps you focus, and it can also make you sleep better since usually that specific genre has a slower tempo, and it can have a faster tempo depending on which song you are listening to at that exact moment. So, I have personally conducted my own research and have gathered what different genres of music students and staff listen to at our school, North Harford High School’ and asked them how it makes them feel. The survey consisted of 20 people, and they all told me their personal favorite style or genre to listen to. Here are my results, out of 20 people, the participants in this survey I investigated have said that pop music is their favorite genre of music to listen to. Aubrey Reynolds, a student at North Harford High School, said, “I like pop music the most because it’s very relatable and it’s upbeat to make me feel happy when I listens to it.” Another student named Maddi Coyle communicated her thoughts on pop music and said, “Pop music is my favorite genre because it has a variety of different subgenres and even though it's the same music, they are different vibes and styles music can give you.” Overall, the genre of music they liked most and listened to was pop. From the reasons why people liked Pop the most, I gathered was because it made you feel good and happy and made you have a positive energy when listening to it. All the research from the survey I conducted proves that the articles I read reference and use to describe the effects of music and different genres of music. 
 
To conclude, the whole idea and concept of how music really does affect our brains and persuade our emotions to feel certain things; we all can see the research and evidence that gives this idea. It all shows that depending on music, our brains can process emotions and grow stronger with the help of music. Music can help us express emotions and it can trigger certain emotions based on what type of music you listen to. Listening to and learning music can aid us in processing information other than music; that would be utterly staggering. So, I expect everyone to read this and truly grasp the idea of how music truly affects us and our brains in a way that is fascinating and extremely intriguing.