Music has long been used to influence our moods, help us relax, lift our spirits or energize us. Chances are, your parents used music to sooth you as a baby. As a teen, music probably became even more important to you, and the music you chose to listen to showed who you were as an individual.

You may listen to one type of music to help you relax or focus, another type to get you moving. As we grew up, we learned what we liked and how music could help us achieve our goals. Science is...