London, Sep 11 (IANS): While many parents often restrict their children from listening to music on the plea that it will affect their studies, a British scientist has claimed some type of songs could actually work wonders for the mind and help in better cognition.

Emma Gray, who specialises in cognitive behavioural therapy at The British CBT and Counselling Service in London, has claimed that listening to songs by Miley Cyrus or Justin Timberlake while studying has a calming effect on the mind that aids logical thought, Daily Mail reported.

Gray's research, commissioned by music streaming service Spotify to investigate the effect music has on studying, found it was important to choose the right music for the topic a person was studying as it stimulated learning and could enhance concentration.

Despite not being perhaps the most obvious choice of relaxing tracks, the clinical psychologist believes pop songs with 50 to 80 beats per minute allow the brain to learn and remember new facts more easily.

Gray said emotive pop and rock songs including Katy Perry's 'Firework' could produce a heightened state of excitement that was likely to enhance creative performance in subjects such as english, drama and art.

She believes students, who listen to classical music while studying, do better in maths exams and listening to music while revising makes students smarter.