Debunking Myths: The Science Behind "Suihan" and Music's True Impact

Myth 1: Listening to "Suihan" or Similar Music Genres Can Directly Improve Your Intelligence or Focus

Scientific Truth: This is a pervasive misconception, often called the "Mozart effect" myth generalized to other music. The original 1993 study suggested a temporary, slight improvement in spatial-temporal reasoning after listening to Mozart, but these findings have been largely overstated and difficult to replicate consistently. Subsequent meta-analyses, such as those reviewed in Intelligence journal, conclude there is no robust evidence that listening to any specific music, including instrumental or ambient genres one might associate with "Suihan," causes lasting increases in general intelligence or IQ. The perceived focus boost is more accurately attributed to music's ability to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and mask distracting environmental noise—effects not unique to any single genre. For sustained cognitive improvement, dedicated practice and learning in the target skill are far more effective than passive listening.

Myth 2: Music Preferences Like "Suihan" Are Hardwired and Define Cultural or Personality Types Rigidly

Scientific Truth: While musical preferences have biological and psychological correlates, they are not genetically predetermined nor are they reliable, fixed markers of personality or culture. Research using the HEXACO personality model and studies from institutions like the University of Cambridge show correlations (e.g., openness to experience with musical complexity), but these are weak predictors for individuals. Preferences are shaped dynamically by a "mere exposure effect" (familiarity breeds liking), social context, personal experiences, and life stage. The concept of "Suihan" belonging exclusively to one culture or listener type is a social construct. Neuroscience reveals that our brains are highly plastic in responding to music; appreciation for unfamiliar genres can be developed, debunking the idea of innate, unchangeable musical taste.

Myth 3: "Suihan" or Lo-fi Music is Inherently More "Authentic" or Emotionally Pure Than Mainstream Music

Scientific Truth: This myth stems from a romanticized view of artistic creation. Scientifically, all music activates the brain's reward system, involving structures like the nucleus accumbens, and triggers emotional responses through mechanisms like expectation, tension, and release, as outlined by music psychologist David Huron. There is no neural basis for judging one genre as objectively more "authentic" than another. The perceived authenticity of "Suihan" often relates to its production aesthetics (e.g., ambient sounds, simplicity) and its niche, non-commercial association. However, these are deliberate artistic choices and cultural signals, not measures of emotional truth. Brain imaging studies show that highly produced pop music can evoke dopamine-driven pleasure responses just as powerfully as niche genres, demonstrating that emotional impact is personal and not hierarchical by genre.

Why Do These Myths Persist?

These myths thrive for several interconnected reasons. First, confirmation bias leads individuals to notice and remember instances where music seemed to boost their focus, reinforcing the myth. Second, cultural narratives often commodify music into identity tribes, simplifying complex preferences into marketable labels. Third, the appeal to nature fallacy makes "natural" or "non-mainstream" music seem inherently superior. Finally, oversimplification of scientific news by media outlets transforms nuanced correlations ("music is associated with mood change") into causal headlines ("Music Makes You Smarter").

Cultivating a Scientific Mindset Towards Music

Move beyond myths by adopting an evidence-based perspective. Understand music as a powerful tool for mood regulation, social bonding, and personal enjoyment, not a magic cognitive enhancer or a rigid personality test. Recognize that your musical journey is fluid—exploration is key. When encountering claims about music's effects, ask for the evidence: Was it a controlled, peer-reviewed study? What was the sample size? Could correlation be mistaken for causation? By applying critical thinking, we can appreciate music like "Suihan" for what it truly is: a diverse and profoundly human art form with subjective, multifaceted impacts, free from the constraints of unfounded myths.