By Minori Furtado
Mental health has become a prominent discussion in modern culture. With the increased study of the brain, the ideas of self care and individual needs have resurfaced in contrast to philosophy centered around discipline. Mental health needs are treated as real issues, and like other ailments, can be diagnosed and treated systematically. However, science is always evolving and adapting. Neuroscience is still a largely unexplored field and thus new research is highly sought after.There is an endless list of new treatments and studies that scientists hope will lead to the ‘next big break’ of modern medicine. Music might be the one we can count on.
Music has been a part of human identity as a form of communication. Music, at least the idea of music, is universal, with most cultures having some type of music or rhythm that unites. Music, regardless of potential health benefits, is widely important as a form of communication that transcends language and can be interpreted by people very personally. These attributes about music can be harnessed for the betterment of mental health and wellness.
Music is important for emotional health in the same way other calming and pleasurable activities are. Music, for many, is a hobby that brings people joy. Listening to music releases dopamine, which is related to positive feelings. Philosophers and thinkers have considered music soothing and helpful for years before medical research on the topic. Music as relaxation feels obvious and practical today, but is also proven by science, showing the increase in dopamine that mirrors other activities that bring happiness, dubbed “pleasurable activities”. This is evidence that what you hear is directly connected to the emotion control center in the brain, so the theories by philosophers and scientists of the past are starting to be validated.
Stress can actually be soothed by music, especially music that you like. Personal preferences do make a difference, because the brain does actually fluctuate in chemicals and hormones depending on whether or not the music is seen as good or bad. Think of music as another tool used to destress, like watching television or reading a book. These activities promote calm, mindfulness, and help long term emotional function.
Mental health is important in its own right and decreased stress has major benefits for the human psyche and overall well being. Mental health, despite being a slightly more abstract concept for scientists, is still dependent on biology and brain function. This means that mental health will always impact physical health, and a decrease in stress will have other health benefits. Some studies stress the tempo and type of music that has calming and physical effects. Some studies have indicated that classical music calms blood pressure and makes listeners feel more relaxed, and it has been proven effective for the majority of people.
There’s no lack of studies on music, all which agree on some level of physical reaction to music. Furthermore, researchers and neurologists are taking music treatment to the next level and pushing the boundaries of its capabilities. Music therapy is a tool that’s being used by cognitive specialists on people with cancer and depression alike. Studies with music mostly focus directly on its relationship with mental health, but mental blockades can cause physical pain or prevent healing from occurring, which really opens the floodgates on how we can use music in the future. Perhaps with more research, specific types of music and techniques could be used by therapists and doctors to help patients with both cognitive and physical conditions make their treatment more accessible and even more fun.
So what are the best ways to musically destress? Listen to music of your choice, which serves as a hobby of sorts. Doing anything you enjoy will increase your dopamine and comfort, and create a more peaceful state of mind. If you can’t decide or if your music taste is too rowdy, try listening to classical music. There is evidence that it decreases blood pressure and stress levels, even if it might not be considered entirely pleasurable. Music may have medical advantages that we have yet to figure out, but besides its technical uses it is an amazing tool to connect with other people and push imagination. Happy listening!
