What Is Your Nervous System Hearing When You Listen to Music?

Major vs. Minor: How the Music You Choose Can Shape Your Mood, Brain, and Even Your Health.

Most of us use music intuitively. We play upbeat songs in the car, soothing music at night, or something dramatic when we need to “feel our feelings.” But what’s fascinating—and empowering—is that modern neuroscience now shows why different types of music affect us so differently. Even more interesting, the key of the music (major vs. minor) matters more than most people realize.

I want to help you become a more intentional “music user” so you know how to use music strategically for better health and emotional balance. I’ll play some violin in this video below, so click below to watch.

Your Brain on Music: A Quick Tour

When you listen to music, you are not using just one tiny “music center” in your brain. Brain imaging studies using PET scans and functional MRI (fMRI) show that music activates a large network of brain regions simultaneously. Many of these areas live in what we call the limbic and paralimbic system, which governs emotion, memory, motivation, and autonomic (automatic) body responses.

Here are the main players we’ll be referencing, in plain English:

• ·       Amygdala: Your brain’s emotional alarm system. It detects threat, safety, pleasure, and emotional significance.
• ·       Hippocampus: Memory central—especially emotional memory and learning.
• ·       Nucleus accumbens / Striatum: The reward and motivation center. Dopamine lives here.
• ·       Orbitofrontal cortex: Decision-making, emotional meaning, and value assessment.
• ·       Insula: Body awareness—how emotions feel physically inside you.
• ·       Thalamus: Sensory relay station; helps regulate arousal and consciousness.
• ·       Anterior cingulate cortex: Emotional regulation, pain perception, and attention.
• ·       Parahippocampal gyrus: Context, memory, and emotional scenes.
• ·       Brainstem & cerebellum: Autonomic control, rhythm, coordination, and regulation.

When listening to music these regions may be stimulated or communicate with each other in very specific ways. Music in major keys stimulate different parts of the brain versus music in minor keys. Below is a breakdown of the differences of the two.

Major Keys: Clarity, Coherence, and Forward Momentum

Music written in a major key is often described as happy, uplifting, bright, or optimistic. But biologically speaking, it does something more nuanced.

Studies show that major consonant chords preferentially activate the left middle temporal gyrus, an area involved in coherent information processing. Translation? Major-key music helps the brain organize information efficiently.

Think of major-key music as a mental decluttering tool.

Major keys are also associated with:

• ·       Improved cognitive flow
• ·       Increased mental clarity
• ·       Motivation and task engagement
• ·       Emotional steadiness rather than emotional depth

From a nervous system perspective, major-key music tends to support balanced arousal—not too sleepy, not too emotionally heavy. This makes it ideal for:

• ·       Working
• ·       Studying
• ·       Exercising
• ·       Morning routines
• ·       Times when you need optimism without overwhelm

Major-key music also tends to activate the left striatum during joyful, high-arousal experiences. The left side of the brain is often associated with approach behavior and positive emotional states. This may be one reason why major-key music can feel energizing and confidence-building. If you’re feeling mentally foggy, unmotivated, or stuck in rumination, major-key music can help your brain regain structure and forward momentum.

Minor Keys: Emotional Depth, Memory, and Regulation

Minor-key music has a reputation for sounding sad, nostalgic, or emotional. But sadness isn’t weakness—it’s information.

Neuroimaging studies show that minor keys activate larger and more diverse areas of the brain than major keys. This tells us that minor music engages more complex emotional and physiological processing.

Minor tonalities activate:

• ·       Amygdala (emotional salience)
• ·       Hippocampus (memory and learning)
• ·       Parahippocampal gyrus (emotional context)
• ·       Medial prefrontal cortex (self-reflection)
• ·       Anterior cingulate cortex (emotional regulation)
• ·       Thalamus (sensory-emotional integration)
• ·       Brainstem and cerebellum (autonomic regulation)
• ·       Insula improves interoceptive awareness (your sense of internal balance)
• ·       Anterior cingulate supports emotional regulation and pain modulation
• ·       Brainstem influences heart rate, breathing, and vagal tone

Minor-key music activates emotional and memory centers, and may help the nervous system complete emotional cycles rather than suppress them. In other words, minor-key music doesn’t just express emotion—it helps the brain process emotion.

Interestingly, when minor chords are perceived as beautiful, the right striatum becomes highly active. The right striatum is deeply involved in emotional reward. This explains why sad music can feel oddly comforting or even pleasurable. Minor-key music is not about staying sad—it’s about moving through emotion safely.

Minor-key music is often ideal for:

• ·       Evening listening
• ·       Stress recovery
• ·       Emotional release
• ·       Grief processing
• ·       Meditation or journaling

 Immune System and Autonomic Effects

Chronic emotional suppression activates the stress response, increases cortisol, and dysregulates immune signaling. This may explain why emotionally resonant music can:

• ·       Lower heart rate
• ·       Improve heart rate variability
• ·       Reduce perceived pain
• ·       Support immune balance
• ·       Lowers inflammation

Final Thoughts

Music is not background noise. It is information. It speaks directly to the parts of your brain that regulate emotion, immunity, memory, and meaning. Here's a study you may find interesting: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5586918/

Major keys help us move forward.
Minor keys help us go deeper.

When you use music intentionally, you’re not just listening—you’re communicating with your nervous system in its own language. And that, in modern integrative medicine, is a powerful form of self-care. for naturopathic support of your mental health, immune system, hormone balance and other concerns. Please reach out to me for naturopathic support of your mental health, immune system, hormone balance and other concerns.

3 Aspects of Health to Address to Improve Focus and Mental Clarity. Maybe you don't have ADHD?

You have these things to do, and it seems to take longer than you like. You are reading things over and over again and it is not only getting to be very not interesting but dreadful. Then perhaps there is a small amount of guilt that overhangs as it feels like not much is accomplished today. You might start to feel tired. The more behind you are, the less you feel like doing it. It’s not your fault. Maybe ADHD is not to blame either. Perhaps there may be some physical issues that may have been overlooked.

Candida:

Some symptoms of Candida overgrowth can include: brain fog, mood issues, fatigue, skin issues, acne, fungal eczema, scalp odors, bloating vaginal discharge, headaches etc. Other “bad” dysbiotic microbes in the gut can also affect concentration, focus and memory. In fact there are associations between increased leaky gut and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s later in life. The increased inflammation in the gut is often associated with increased microinflammation in the brain and nervous system which is a contributor to some of these conditions.

Not consuming refined carbohydrates or refined sugars is important because these foods feed candida overgrowth.

Spleen Qi Deficiency

The “Spleen” in western medicine is an organ that stores an extra reserve of blood to be used in case of an emergency (blood loss) or hypoxia. In Chinese medicine, the spleen is related to the digestive system and plays a role in the immune system. The energy of the spleen is easily depleted with mental work and even more depleted with frequent emotions of worry. So by nature of jobs, a construction worker is less likely to be spleen qi deficient than a lawyer. Worrying and overthinking weaken digestion, but the weaker the spleen qi, the harder it is to focus the mind. Another task of the spleen is to remove “dampness”. Too much dampness in the stomach can lead to feeling bloated, loose stools, nausea etc. Too much dampness in the lungs is associated with a tendency to phlegm in the chest. Too much dampness in the head is associated with brain fog, cloudy thinking, slow thinking, difficulty concentrating and feeling easily overwhelmed.

Consuming room temperature or warm foods as opposed to ice-cold drinks, ginger, cinnamon, poria and ginseng are some things that can help improve spleen health. Using the dry sauna or an infrared sauna is also helpful in fortifying the spleen system.

Liver qi Stagnation and Liver Fire

The liver is a very important organ and performs hundreds of metabolic functions, many of which involve detoxifying or keeping the toxins out of our bodies. Note that the TCM imbalances described may often be present with normal liver bloodwork such as AST, and ALT etc.

Often when there is an overload of toxins, and the system is “clogged”, TCM calls this imbalance Liver qi stagnation. It is associated sometimes with emotions of feeling stuck in life, or difficulty starting tasks. Liver qi stagnation is often associated with any type of achy pain.

Simple ways to move the liver qi is to exercise and move the body. Deep breathing, breathwork and even a message can move liver qi as well as specific herbs and supplements. When the liver qi flows, you’ll feel more energetic, focused, motivated, light and often with less aches and pains.

When there is an overload of toxins, sometimes the body creates an imbalance pattern of “Liver Fire”. Fire and heat rise. Symptoms of this include overthinking, recurring thoughts, tendency to anger or frustration, migraines and anxiety. When we use herbs such as Rehmania and others as well as appropriate liver detoxification support, many patients find that their minds quiet, they are less easily triggered and that it is easier to focus and accomplish things with less effort.

I’ve worked with adults and kids naturopathically to help with attention and improved mental function and mood. It is encouraging to see how natural therapies work well and offer an alternative to those who prefer to not take medications. I have some perceptive teenagers telling me they find schoolwork easier, and that they get better grades. Not only is it important to address the physical, spending time with patients to talk and address the mental, emotional, and energetic aspects can take progress much farther. It is beautiful to see people having an easier time with school or work, more confidence, feeling fulfilled, and able to enjoy life.

Feel free to reach out here if I can be of help. 

The information above is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure disease. 

The Truth About EMFs

Are EMF’s harmful? An average 8-10 year old in the US spends 6 hours on screens, and an 11-14 year old spends 9 hours on screens per day according to the CDC. An average adult spends 6 hours and 59 minutes daily on electronic devices. Screen times are getting higher on mobile devices and lower on TV. Here is an EEG brain scan of using a VR headset for 10 minutes. Note that green is normal. 

EEG brain scan without any electronic devices nearby
EEG Brain scan using VR headset for 10 minutes

Do EMFs and 5G Radiation harm us?

The World Health Organization in 2011 classified frequencies between 30kHz and 300 GHz to be possible carcinogens. The range of 5G wavelengths cell phone companies used are generally between 600MHz to 39 GHz, depending on need for range and coverage.

Microwave frequency spans from 300MHz to 30GHz. So, in effect the 5G wavelengths overlap microwave wavelengths. It wouldn’t be great to microwave your brain or body would it? An article in the Oct 2020 issue of Oncology Letters, calls out problems with lack of unbiased studies and government responsibility in relation to studies on safety of 5G. Unfortunately many claims on the safety on 5G are made by those having financial profitability or political affiliations. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7405337/

A 2016 study, prior to 5G rollout demonstrated that use of cellphone over 50 minutes per day could have effects of early dementia, insomnia, headaches, thermal damage to the brain, and long term cancer risk. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4930268/

Some other anecdotal symptoms reported related to EMF exposure include:

• numbness
• pain
• headaches
• insomnia
• brain fog
• fatigue
• mood issues: anxiety, depression, irritability
• difficulty concentrating, forgetfullness
• red blood cell decreased oxygen capacity
• increased cellular mutation, potential carcinogenicity
• inflammation

What’s the Solution:

There are so many anti-EMF devices on the market and it can be time consuming to research what a good product would be. I spent some time doing research and found this company Aires Tech, that had a lot of scientific backing to their products. 

This device does not block EMFs. Which actually may be good because if the waves are surrounding you, there is no way to shield your body entirely, short of a body suit! These devices from Aires Tech contain a computer chip, that actually utilizes EMF frequencies to power the chip, converting the harmful EMFs to a frequency that is healthy and compatible to our human body. Here are photos of EEG brain scans. The photo to the left is after using a cell phone for 10 minutes. The photo to the right is using a cell phone for 10 minutes with the Aires Tech Device. Green is healthy and Red is Inflammed (bad). 

Left Image: Brain EEG using phone for 10 minutes. Right Image: brain EEG with Aires device attached to cell phone

I personally can feel the heat, or a buzzing sensation if I put a cellphone into my pocket. But other than that, I did not think I had any effects from phones, routers, computers personally. But when I started wearing the Lifetune Go, I had more energy, felt calmer and more noticed that I am finishing projects faster when wearing the device. I didn’t even know some of these frequencies were affecting me until I used this device.

I would recommend attaching the Lifetune One to your cellphone, computer, tablet or VR headset. Then use the Lifetune Go to protect yourself, it covers a larger area of 32 feet diameter. The company recommends keeping it near you on a keychain but I have personally felt more effect wearing it as a necklace on me. Hope this info is helpful for you. We cannot eliminate electronic devices or 5G around us in our modern age, but we can utilize some of these thoughtful devices to help neutralize some of the potential negative effects. Here's the link to more studies about the Aires devices as well as to get one for yourself. 

For 25% off your first order: Use Code: First25off

The information above is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure disease. 

The Unlikely Relationship Advise for a Thriving Partnership

What does the 2^nd law of thermodynamics have to do with your life? The 2^nd law states, “For a spontaneous process, the entropy of the universe increases.” What is entropy? Entropy is a tendency to more disorder, chaos, and loss of energy. In plain words, it means that if left unchecked, things tend to get worse, including relationships.

Now here is the good news. Add a CATALYST. Do you remember in chemistry class? Add a catalyst to a reaction that would not have originally happened and BOOM the reaction occurs at an exponential rate. I kept hearing the word COMPASSION today. I believe compassion is the CATALYST that is the softer, more yin, and overlooked aspect that will heal, revive, and create a more deep, loving and trusting relationship.

We often approach our problems with force such as fighting it, so it goes away. When we don’t get our needs met, or our partners have done something that doesn’t feel quite OK, our subconscious feels threatened or unsafe. The default response in the nervous system is to shut down or fight. Closing our hearts, giving our partners the cold treatment, or getting in a “me versus you” mentality is not healthy and leads to more ENTROPY in a relationship.

Humans are wired to focus on problems as a protective mechanism. But what if your reality is really 20% problems and 80% wonderful things? How can you see the entire reality of your life and focus on the 80% of wonderful things, shifting away from the feeling that 80% of your life are problems? Let’s practice COMPASSION as the CATALYST for a re-start.

Instead of fixating on NEGATIVE things:

-He doesn’t do thing things he promised

-She keeps nagging me

-He blames me for unfair things

-She does not respect me

-He always gets angry

-She is too sensitive

This fixation gets you more of what you don’t want. What we focus on, we get.

Instead think compassionate positive thoughts and watch the reality inside of you shift. This provides the CATALYST or activation energy for your relationship to start thriving. Here are some examples:

-My partner actually did this because they cared about me

-While my partner could learn more of my love language, they did the best they could to show love to me the way they know how.

-My partner should not have reacted this way, but I choose to believe it is not personal, they were about bit stressed today. Let me show them some love so they feel better after a bad day. (Watch how this type of compassion can shift the dynamic.).

-Just like how I would like to recharge after hard work, I realize my partner would like some of that as well. I will give them the space they need and trust they will be able to be present for me in a better way later.

-I choose to remind myself that my partner loves me. The more we emphasize what we want and already have, the universe will give you more of that. The magic is gentleness, tenderness, love, forgiveness and compassion. Watch how much more initiative and good will your partner will have towards you as you both live as a team in togetherness, trust and love. To sum it up: “Do to others as you would like them to do unto you.” Mat 7:12

If you are needing help with your relationships, healing past wounds or traumas that interfere with your life and health, please reach out to me, and we can come up with a plan of how to help you move forward and let go of the past so you can thrive in the present.

What are Small New Year Changes that can make a Big Difference

Happy New Year, it’s already 1 week into the new year! Now is a time a lot of people like to make New Year’s Resolutions. But 23% of people have already quit by 1 week, and only 36% make it to the 1 month according to a US statistic. But I believe in you! You can do better than that and make this year one of momentum, success and health. You can get what you desire without it being overwhelming. Here are some Tips that I hope will be helpful and inspiring to you:

Don’t

-Make a long list of things to NOT do (you may feel like a little kid being told you can’t do something), and it probably won’t work.

Do

-Choose only 1 thing you can add to your life that will make it better.

-Set a time and time frequency you will do this (For example working out M, W, F after work).

-Anchor it to an activity you already do, so it is easier not to forget it if possible. (For example, meditate for 10 minutes daily after breakfast. If you usually eat breakfast, you make the meditation a habit that goes along with your breakfast). Photo Credit Aaron Davis

-Add another thing you would like to do ONLY AFTER you’ve achieved the first consistently. It will be very tempting to make a list of a few things to change, but often that leads to falling short. Feeling behind is not a fun feeling and people sometimes end up giving up on everything. Instead if you only focus on 1 thing, and do it well, you will start to feel a sense of accomplishment. This sense of achievement feels good and serves as a fuel and motivator for when you are ready to implement the next thing. Everything starts getting easier.

“Slow down and take things 1 step at a time”

Emotions:

We are all human and have emotions. That is what makes life colorful. Sometimes some emotions get in the way of our productivity, our health, and our relationships. I was listening to something the other day and was reminded that:

“Emotional pain lasts 20 minutes, the rest is self-inflicted.” -Manu Shahi

It is humbling to realize that we create most of our own suffering. It is easier to blame our suffering on our circumstances, or what someone did or said to you. But if we can remember to reel in our thoughts so that what we think is true, lovely, life giving, and full of gratitude, this mental state is the fuel for creating positivity in your life and powerful to shift out of what no longer is acceptable.

A strong spiritual state, a strong mind, and resilient emotions are what makes you successful, whether your focus is on more money, more resources, improved relationships, or health. When you take the time to grow in this aspect, the rest comes so much more easily. Let me know if I can help you with any of these aspects. If there is an imbalance in your life, don’t settle and make excuses for it. Even if you don’t see a solution, perhaps seeking the help of the right professional can exponentially speed up and simplify the path to your goals. Happy New Year!