Does MUSIC really affect the human mind?

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I just happened to come across this article in Time mag (Nov. 19 issue) about Neuroligist Oliver Sacks' book titled Musicophillia-Tales of Music and the Brain. Where he explored the exquisite complexity of music's effect on the human by presenting a survey of research and case histories of patients whose lives has been fundamentally changed by music. Two very interesting cases were a surgeon who survived being struck by lightning who later found for himself an "all-consuming, life-disrupting passion for listening to, playing and composing piano music. Wow! another touching tale is that of an American musician who was sticken with amnesia so devastating that " from a minute to the next, he doesn't know who, where or wht he is". Tsk tsk tsk. He only remembers two important things: that he loves his wife (love is greater then memory loss) and that ability to sing or play on the piano any musical piece. Sack suggested that music was a rope that holds the patient to those two very important things he remembers, the only things he remembers. And without constant performance, the rope might break. Can you believe that? I do ... i mean music really in one way or the other affect how we think. I met some friends who are very appreciative of music and has the ability to play musical instruments, tend to be cool-headed, some are quite serene especially with decision making.... but for those who are not into music tend to be "rough" in a sense in their manner of conversation. I am saying a general observation, may not really be true for all. With myself, i can sense that i feel relaxed with good old songs, when i'm down i sing out some songs to myself and a little later,i kindda feel lighter. How about you do believe that music affect how we think or how our mind rewire itself? WHat's your experience with music?