Brain In Music
Exploring how music, ragas, and neuroscience can support mental wellness.
Through Brain In Music, Stuti explores the science behind how music affects the brain, with a special focus on Carnatic ragas, emotional wellness, teens, neurodivergent youth, and senior citizens.
Brain In Music explores the connection between music, neuroscience, emotions, and mental wellness.
Interested in hosting a session, collaborating, sharing your story, or learning more about music and mental wellness?
About Me
My name is Stuti Sreepada
Hi, I’m Stuti. I am passionate about neuroscience, music, and understanding how the human mind works.
To me, the brain is the center of everything we feel, think, and do. I have always been curious about how the mind controls the body and how emotions are shaped by what we experience. At the same time, music has been a major part of my life, especially Carnatic music and ragas.
I am especially interested in how different ragas and sounds can create emotions such as devotion, peace, joy, love, reflection, and deep emotion. Through Brain In Music, I bring together my love for neuroscience and music to explore how sound can support mental wellness.
My goal is to help people understand that music is not just something we listen to. It can be a tool to improve mood, reduce stress, support focus, and help people feel more connected to themselves.
My Research
Music, Brain Chemicals, and Emotion
I am researching how music affects the brain by changing the way brain chemicals influence mood, stress, and emotions.
Under the guidance of Dr. Jobin Varkey, Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California, I am studying how chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, and oxytocin play a role in how we feel. Dopamine is connected to pleasure and motivation. Serotonin is connected to mood balance. Cortisol is linked to stress. Oxytocin is connected to comfort and bonding.
I am also exploring how Carnatic music and Western music may affect these brain chemicals. In Carnatic music, different ragas can create different emotions, called rasas. For example, Revati is often connected to bhakthi rasa, or devotional emotion, which can create calm and reflection.
In Western music, tempo, rhythm, harmony, major and minor keys, and lyrics can also change how we feel. Upbeat music may increase happy and motivated feelings, while softer music may help lower stress and create calm.
Through this research, I want to understand how music can be used as a simple tool to improve mood, reduce stress, and support mental wellness.
Honors and Awards
Philhistorian Invitational Bay Area Championship — PF Quarter Finalist
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Dempsey Cronin Memorial Invitational — PF Gold Medalist
MASQ Virtual Regional #2 — HI Finalist
Presidential Volunteer Service Award — Gold and Bronze
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Cal Invitational — HI Quarter Finalist
Kuchipudi National Dance Gold Medalist
Reagent Legacy Invitational — HI Gold Medalist
Miss Bay Area Princess
Performing Arts & Cultural Activities
1 / Indian Classical Dancer
Trained in Kuchipudi since childhood, performed in cultural events, earned national recognition, and is preparing for her rangapravesam.
2 / Choir Singer
Performed in school and regional choir concerts while building skills in teamwork, musical expression, and ensemble performance.
3 / Indian Carnatic Vocalist
Trained in Carnatic vocal music and performed devotional and cultural pieces at temple and community events.
Volunteering & Community Service
Serving students, schools, and communities through hands-on support, youth mentoring, and healthcare-focused fundraising.
PTSA Volunteer
Supported EVHS campus beautification by helping with tanbark, weeding, planting, and improving shared outdoor spaces.
YMCA Swimming Youth Teacher
Helped beginner elementary-aged swimmers build water confidence, practice floating, and learn basic strokes in a supportive setting.
FYLH Volunteer
Raised over $4,000 for healthcare access in Kuchipudi, India and completed 800+ volunteer hours through community service projects.
Blogs
Get in Touch
Let’s explore how music can support the mind, emotions, and wellness — one note at a time.
Email: stuti.l.sreepada@gmail.com