Listen up! Music has fascinating powers to heal
There was no such thing as an MRI when English playwright William Congreve (1670-1729) came up with the phrase “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast.”
But modern studies have shown that he was right. Among other benefits, music can relieve anxiety and stress. It’s downright soothing.
“So much research has shown that music can calm your brain activity,” said Mathew Pulicken, MD, a neurologist at Neurologists of Cape Cod in Hyannis. “Even during pregnancy, expectant mothers find it works.
“It might not be the same songs for everyone, but in general, music without significant fluctuation usually works, and each person may have a specific style that calms them, and often it does without you even realizing it.”
A 2020 study by the Global Council of Brain Health found that “adults who engage in music-making and listening are more likely to self-report their overall health, brain health, and cognitive function as excellent or very good.”
The study, titled “Music on Our Minds: The Rich Potential of Music to Promote Brain Health and Mental Well-Being,” pointed to evidence that people who listen to music regularly report lower levels of anxiety and depression.
The study also showed that adults who regularly listen to or perform music showed improvements in cognitive function and mental health.
“Heavy metal and some other kinds of music can be stimulating,” said Dr. Pulicken, “but pop music and a lot of classical music use soothing frequencies. “That’s why music therapy can be helpful for things like PTSD. When you find the right kind of music, it calms people down and has been shown to reduce their stress levels.”
Just like some people have playlists to keep themselves motivated during a workout, putting together a playlist of songs that bring your stress levels down is a great form of non-prescription medicine, he said. It might take a little bit of trial and error to find what works best for you – a classical sonata, a batch of pop ballads or some New Age music – but once you know what works, keep that playlist handy.
Music can be particularly important for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of neurocognitive disorder, according to Dr. Pulicken. Musical memories often last longer and patient may be able to remember the lyrics, even when other memoires have faded.
“When elder care centers have a sing-along music night, most people can participate, and it reduces their stress levels,” he said.
“A regular ‘dose’ of music is very beneficial for everyone, no matter your age or health.”
