I recently witnessed an extraordinary event about the power of music and how it truly is the language of our soul. I believe the world is a better place because of music, regardless of the type or genre. It gets us moving, motivates us, inspires us, calms us when we’re stressed or anxious, and connects us with others. This is all due to the release of neurochemicals associated with happiness, including oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. These ”feel good” hormones elevate our mood, lower blood pressure, alleviate depression, and decrease the release of the stress chemical, cortisol, among other things.  

     The human brain has an incredible capacity to process and retain music. We have the ability to memorize and recall the lyrics and melodies to hundreds, if not thousands, of songs. Music does this by engaging the limbic system, which is a complex set of brain structures that form the emotional center of the brain. This explains why some songs make us happy or uplifted, and others make us sad or reflective. For individuals who’ve experienced a stroke, research has proven that the brain can re-wire itself, a process known as neuroplasticity, the lifelong ability of the brain to change. Indelible musical memories may help restore cognition and speech in these patients. 

     And this brings me to the astonishing event I witnessed while spending time with a friend who recently experienced a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side as well as with aphasia, which impacts the ability to speak. Patients experiencing aphasia are often unable to say a few words or may repeat the same words and phrases over and over. This has been true for my friend in the two months since the stroke. During my most recent visit at the rehab facility he currently resides in, I noticed he kept repeating a simple three-word phrase. He might also utter a word here and there, but not much else. He can nod his head for simple yes and no questions, and his trademark facial expressions are intact. (I must add that he’s only been at the rehab facility for one week, so intense therapy has just recently begun.) I have years of experience as a hospice volunteer, and our training includes ways we can engage with patients who’ve been diagnosed with dementia or are heavily sedated. One way to connect with them is with music. Prior to my visit, I prepared a classic rock playlist on my phone, as I planned to use music as a way to connect with him. I could never imagine what would transpire.

     The first song played was “It’s Over,” by Boz Scaggs. Almost immediately, I noticed how engaged he was with the music. His left foot began moving to the beat, and he smiled. We listened for a minute or two and then I switched to another tune. I repeated this for a few more songs and then I played “Bohemian Rhapsody,” by Queen. And that’s when IT happened—my friend, who’s been mostly non-verbal for more than two months, began singing along. He knew the words and the melodies and even began nodding his head in time. He was not only “speaking,” he was fully engaged and uplifted. At this point, my adrenaline started pumping as I knew we were onto something. I played other familiar favorites, including “Saturday in the Park,” by Chicago, “Brown Eyed Girl,” by Van Morrison, “Dreams,” by Fleetwod Mac, and “Show Me the Way,” by Peter Frampton. He kept singing along, song after song. It was truly amazing! A few of these impromptu Karaoke moments were captured on video, precious mementos from this awe-inspiring miracle of sorts. 

     Research has proven that music therapy can significantly improve language recovery and motor function following a stroke event. And singing stimulates speech, pronunciation, articulation, and vocabulary recall. In a span of about two hours, I witnessed the power of music and its ability to dig deep into our soul and awaken us to new possibilities, even after we’ve suffered a brain trauma event such as a stroke.

     The videos are saved on my phone and in the Cloud, and they will forever be imprinted on my heart. I’m grateful for bearing witness to this incredible experience, but mostly hopeful that my friend will make a full recovery thanks to the extensive physical and speech therapy he is receiving. And now, music therapy, too. He’s proof the music is within us all.