E195 - Dr. Mei Rui: The Science of Sound & Music as Medicine
About this episode
Dr. Mei Rui discusses the scientific effects of music on the human body and its potential as a healing intervention.
Dr. Mei Rui is a Yale-trained molecular biophysicist, concert pianist, and clinical researcher at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she runs trials on the measurable effects of music on the human body. In this conversation, we explore what actually happens in the brain the moment music enters it, why the auditory system is the first sense to develop in the womb and the last to go when we die, and how something as accessible as a curated playlist can outperform FDA-approved pharmaceuticals in reducing cortisol. What We Dive Into: 1. Music is not a supplement to healing. In the right context, it is the intervention. 2. The brain responds differently when you actually show up for the music. 3. A longitudinal study in twins showed that three to four years of musical training reduced the risk of Alzheimer's and cognitive decline by 64%, an effect size found in no other single activity. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Oneskin — Code KNOWTHYSELF for 15% off - Limited time only! https://oneskin.co/KNOWTHYSELF BASED Body Works — Code KNOWTHYSELF for 20% and a free toiletry bag! https://www.basedbodyworks.com ___________ 00:00 Introduction: Dr. Mei Rui 01:44 A Life Between Music and Science…
People in this episode
Host: André Duqum
Guest: Dr. Mei Rui
Topics covered
- music as medicine
- effects of music on the brain
- cognitive decline
- musical training
- clinical research
Keywords
- music therapy
- cortisol reduction
- Alzheimer's prevention
- auditory system
- musical training
Sponsors
Oneskin, BASED Body Works
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Yale, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Products: Oneskin, BASED Body Works
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