When an individual studies, the brain triggers neuroplasticity which strengthens neural connections to form new neural circuits. These connections get stronger over time with repetition which allowing nerve impulses to travel faster and more efficiently. Music has been seen to have a noticeable influence on neuroplasticity by stimiulating brain regions that are responsible for emotion, memory and attention which facilitates the the creation of neural pathways and simultaneously strengths existing ones. With this being said, it has been shown that not all music is beneficial and the general literature consensus concludes that the best music to listen to is instrumental, low volume and predictable.

Lyrical music has been shown to have negative effects on cognitive performance as it often creates a distracting environment. The addition of another cognitive load puts stress on the language processing sensors of the brain hindering memory and reading comprehension. However, depending on the task being completed lyrical music may be beneficial, primarily in the context of less demanding tasks such as organising notes due to its ability to boost mood and therefore increase motivation.

Alternatively, more instrumental music such as classical, lo – fi beats or jazz creates a calmer environment, reducing cortisol allowing the brain to focus freely on an individual task without any other elements of distraction or neural load. In addition to this the complex tempo of instrumental type music synchronises the brains hemisphere through a phenomenon known as neural entrainment in which brain waves align with the melodic and rhythmic patterns of the music. This is known to improve focus and memory acting as a simple performance boost.

The type of music an individual listens to whilst studying, if chosen well, can have significant positive impacts on neuroplasticity and thus the brains ability to perform whilst studying. However if chosen poorly, music may hinder performance, primarily through the distraction of lyrics. It is important to consider the type of music you are listening to ensure you are benefiting the most from studying,

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