Does listening to classical music, like Mozart, make you smarter? This is a neuromyth commonly referred to as the “Mozart Effect.” The idea that listening to Mozart boosts your IQ was popularized in the ’90s in a book by Don Campbell. This neuromyth spread fast, and by 1998 the state of Georgia spent over $100 000 to distribute classical music to families with newborns. The Mozart Effect was debunked a year later.

I definitely remember hearing this neuromyth while growing up. While music can improve mood and focus, it cannot directly increase intelligence. For me, as a current learner and future teacher, this research helps me see the role of music in education. Knowing this allows me to make design choices to support learning, like using music to create an environment for concentration and creativity.