The Powerful Link Between Music and Memory: What the Science Shows

Last Updated July 9, 2025

Music has a special way of interacting with our brains. For a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive impairment, hearing a familiar song can trigger a memory, evoke an emotion, and enhance brain performance.

Studies have shown that music can have a profound effect on people with memory loss conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. That growing body of evidence has led some long-term care facilities and caregivers to use music therapy to entertain, soothe, and help socialize residents with dementia and similar issues.

Music is a part of nearly everyone’s life. Many parents use music to soothe a fussy baby, and even for adults, music often serves as a soothing distraction, to elevate mood, as a motivator while exercising, or as a relaxation technique at bedtime. Still others use music as background noise as they go about their daily lives. Music may be such an ever-present fixture in everyday life that it becomes woven into the fabric of the brain. Music stirs our emotions and embeds itself in our memory, creating a link that ultimately becomes associated with a time, a person, or a place.

Why does music unlock memories? It activates those areas of the brain that are associated with memory and emotions: the hippocampus and the frontal cortex. When these areas of the brain are stimulated, they trigger the release of stored memories at the sound of a song. 

How Music Impacts the Brain

Music can have a powerful effect on the psyche. For a person with dementia or in late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, music reduces agitation, soothes the spirit, and improves behavior and focus, research shows. 

Music’s Effects on the Mind

• Music stimulates the brain by evoking an emotion that triggers a memory. For someone with memory loss, hearing a familiar song has the potential to transport them back to a more pleasurable time.
• It provides comfort. A person with cognitive decline can become easily agitated. Music has a way of reducing agitation and instilling a sense of calm. 
• Music elevates mood and reduces stress. Playing music activates a part of the brain that can improve mood and reduce anxiety, especially if the music is familiar and well-liked. Studies have shown that different types of music may have different effects. Soothing music at less than 100 beats per minute, such as classical music, is associated with a positive effect on memory and cognition. 
• It creates a connection without verbal communication. For someone in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease, communicating may be difficult if not impossible. Expose a person with severe memory loss to a song from childhood, and they may break out in song or dance. 

Music’s Role in Alzheimer’s and Stroke Recovery

Famed musician  Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease many years before his death. However, he was still able to perform and remember the lyrics despite memory impairment. 

Music has also been used as a therapeutic method to help stroke patients with aphasia relearn speech. While they may not be able to converse, they can often sing a familiar tune. Using music can stimulate different parts of the brain to relearn and improve speech.

Tips for Using Music as a Caregiver

To use music to soothe a loved one with memory-loss issues, try these tips from the Alzheimer’s Association:

• Choose music your loved one is familiar with and once enjoyed. If they’re able, encourage them to offer suggestions for their customized playlist.
• Play commercial-free music, as interruptions can be disruptive and confusing for them.
• Base your choice of music on the emotion you’re trying to invoke. A tranquil song may induce a calm and serene feeling. A faster-paced tune from their youth might help elevate mood and evoke happy memories.
• Enhance their experience by encouraging them to tap to the beat, clap, or dance.
• Keep distractions to a minimum. Avoid other background sounds, and keep the music volume at a comfortable level. If it’s too loud, it could lead to aggression or agitation.

Supporting Brain Health at Aviv Clinics

The link between music and memory is significant. Studies show that hearing music from our past can trigger strong emotions and a nostalgic connection. Not only can music spark memories, it may also boost mood, calm anxiety, and reduce confusion.

At Aviv Clinics, we understand the deep connection between the brain, memory, and emotion. We designed our comprehensive Aviv Medical Program to address changes in the brain associated with aging, stroke, and conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. While music therapy is not a formal part of our program, it aligns with our philosophy: that targeted interventions can help unlock cognitive potential and improve quality of life.

If you or a loved one is experiencing early signs of cognitive decline, our team is here to help guide you.