Music Mends Minds (MMM), a global nonprofit founded in 2014, is transforming the lives of people affected by neurodegenerative diseases through the power of music.
The organization, supported annually by the Herb Alpert Foundation, creates music-based support groups worldwide for individuals with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injuries.
In 2023, two UCLA students launched a local chapter of MMM, furthering the mission by engaging students and seniors alike in musical activities that enhance emotional and cognitive well-being. Kayla Arellano, co-president of the UCLA chapter, emphasized the organization’s mission to empower seniors and improve their quality of life.
“Music Mends Minds brings so much love and compassion to these seniors who deserve so much more,” Arellano said.
Angela Yang, the other co-president, noted that music is not just uplifting but also scientifically beneficial, engaging multiple parts of the brain to aid in physical and mental rehabilitation. The club offers music sessions, educational workshops, and opportunities for students to perform at various locations in Los Angeles, combining neuroscience with community outreach.
The founder of MMM, Carol Rosenstein, was inspired to create the organization after witnessing the profound effect music had on her husband, Irwin, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Music helped ease his agitation and improve his mood, sparking the idea that music could similarly benefit others with neurodegenerative conditions.
With the power of music, MMM helps participants reconnect with lost memories and emotions, offering a valuable, non-invasive therapy for those affected by neurological conditions. For UCLA students involved, it also provides a meaningful way to connect their studies in neuroscience with real-world applications, using music as both art and medicine to improve lives.
Daily Bruin and Science Alert contributed to this report.
