Good Vibrations: Unlocking the Healing Powers of Music

Music can comfort, energise and heal. But how exactly does this happen in the brain and body? Join neuroscientist, psychologist and violinist Professor Stefan Koelsch, author of Good Vibrations: Unlocking the Healing Power of Music, as he explores the science behind music’s therapeutic effects, and how we can use it to enhance health and wellbeing in everyday life. Drawing on decades of research, Professor Koelsch will explain how music influences nearly every system in the body: the nervous, hormonal and immune systems, and also the networks that regulate emotion, motivation and social bonding. The talk will introduce the core principles of the therapeutic power of music, with examples ranging from clinical contexts, such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, dementia, depression and chronic pain, to everyday applications that support resilience, regeneration and emotional balance in healthy individuals. Throughout the session, Professor Koelsch will also share practical, evidence-based recommendations from his book: how to use music to reduce stress, improve sleep, boost mood and bond with others. Finally, he will reflect on the broader implications for a healthy society: that music, an evolutionarily ancient form of human connection, may be one of our most effective antidotes to loneliness and disconnection in the AI age. This event is for anyone who is interested in the science of music and emotion, whether you are a music lover, musician, therapist, healthcare professional or simply someone who is curious about how music can help you to live a healthier, more connected, and more joyful life. Professor Stefan Koelsch is an internationally leading neuroscientist and music psychologist. He earned degrees in violin, psychology and sociology before receiving his doctorate from the Max Planck Institute. He has held positions at Harvard University, and is currently a professor at the University of Bergen, Norway. Find out more about Professor Koelsch and his book, Good Vibrations: Unlocking the Healing Power of Music (Cambridge University Press, 2025), at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/good-vibrations/good-vibrations/B4A....