Hi all, This is really interesting, but not too surprising... except... <<During the moments of musical euphoria, their cranial blood streamed to the parts of the brain which previous, independent studies had isolated as the places where sex, chocolate, champagne or cocaine can produce ecstasy. In effect, 10 different cortex clusters burst into neural fireworks, creating the familiar spine-tingling chills of pleasure. Equally intriguing, the blood flowed away from brain cells associated with depression and fear.>> Cool! A diversion, of blood flow, by the way, does not indicate the starvation of these areas of oxygen and nutrients. Rather, it indicates that the brain areas are less metabolically active. (Blood flow increases in proportion to demand.) If I remember correctly (and I'm trying to remember where I put that paper), decreased prefrontal lobe activity is associated with the occurrence of mystical experiences or more profound states of mind. (I am inferring from this article that prefrontal activity is diminished during intense musical experiences, as well.) Perhaps these experiences share a common thread. Perhaps the logical sequencing activity of the prefrontal areas is temporarily abandoned in the "flow" of the experience. Cool! By the way, whoever said that music isn't addictive? I have a habit that consumes lots of my time and many thousands of my dollars. In fact it's hard for me to keep a clear head without some music playing somewhere. How do we define addiction anyway? ;-) Peace, Sarah
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