What Classical Indian Music Does to Your Brain
What Classical Indian Music Does to Your Brain | Joshua Tree Institute of Mental Physics
On August 29th, the Sunder Foundation and Karma TMS hosted a one-of-a-kind evening at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center to celebrate the USA 250 Birthday. The night featured classical Indian music bridging northern and southern Indian traditions, along with a cross-cultural collaboration with acclaimed saxophonist George Brooks.
But this wasn't just a concert.
Dr. Keerthy Sunder, psychiatrist and artist, and European Neurolive project participant Cem Guler led a milestone neuroscience experiment during the live performances. Neuroscientist and sleep specialist Dr. Cameron Good wore a specialized EEG brain mapping cap throughout the night to measure exactly what the music was doing to his brain in real time.
The results were striking. The performances produced a dramatic increase in alpha brain waves, the same waves associated with relaxation, focus, and mental clarity. Classical Indian music, it turns out, isn't just beautiful. It's therapeutic.
This event sits at the intersection of culture, community, and brain health, and it's exactly the kind of work the Sunder Foundation and Karma TMS believe in.