Music As Therapy

 

 

Photo from https://adahome.care/music-therapy-in-alzheimer-and-dementia/  

I personally find music very healing. It can calm my soul, encourage tears when I need to release emotions instead of bottling them in, get my adrenaline pumping for work outs, and empower me. Why does music do all this for us?

To begin with, I'll explain how we process music. When we put on a favorite song, the music sounds move through our ears as vibrations. The inner ear translates these vibrations into electrical signals which are transported by neurons to the cerebral cortex in the brain. Dedicated regions of the brain detect elements of the signals like the tone, pitch, and rhythm. The brain then puts all this together to sense the musical experiences.

 

Photo from https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/us/resources/article/how-the-deaf-experience-music-then-and-now/

Now, how does music reduce stress? Stress releases specific hormones and chemicals that activate your brain for “fight or flight.” The hormone released is called cortisol and is referred to as the “stress hormone.” What can your favorite music do to help with reducing this hormone? It lowers your heart rate and cortisol levels, releases endorphins, improves our sense of well being, distracts us from the anxious thoughts, and reduces other stress related symptoms. There are empirical studies that back this up!

Due to the therapeutic effects of music, some surgeons ask their patients for their favorite tune before a surgical procedure so they can play it during it. This has been done since the invention of the phonograph in 1877. It’s also interesting to note that there is proof that Ancient Egyptian’s and Greek physicians used music to heal dating back to 1500 BCE. I won’t go much more into music therapy. If you want to learn more, you can watch a video by clicking here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xed2v8rBbXQ.

One of the most relaxing songs on the internet is Weightless by Marconi Union. Marconi Union is an English ambient music band that worked with sound therapists to create this song in 2012. It was specifically created to reduce anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate. It is said to induce a 65 percent reduction in overall stress among listeners. Let’s take a listen:

There are no vocals in this song but it instead includes a series of tones. The chord is oscillating and remains constant throughout. A guitar, piano and music from a synthesizer can be heard. There are electronic samples of natural soundscapes added as well. Its carefully arranged harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines help slow a listener's heart rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

When I listened to it, it made me want to focus on my breathing and I felt almost in a meditative state. The opening sounds began soft then gradually increased, with only the sound of a synthesizer. About a minute and a half in to the song, you can hear a different melody that made me think of being on the highest mountain or even in the clouds. Its sounds made me feel like I was calmly floating in water or in the air. It’s title Weightless is spot on.

People don’t need to go and find relaxation music; they can find their favorite genre and still receive mental and physical health benefits. I’ve known people who can listen to metal genre’s such as Black Metal or Death Metal to improve their mood. It just depends on what an individual likes.  

Now let’s move to another way music can help us. When I’m needing some motivation, I like to listen to something upbeat. Studies of rhythms and the brain have shown that strong beats stimulate the brain! When brain wave activity increases, so does blood flow.  Upbeat music can also cause the brain to release dopamine, a chemical that works to regulate motivation and goal-orientated behavior. You may have seen athletes with earphones pumping themselves up before competitions. Here is one of my favorite motivational songs:

Annie Lennox, originally the lead singer in the band The Eurythmics, wrote Little Bird when she was going solo. It was included in the album Diva which was released in 1992. The lyrics talk about a little bird that has fallen out of its nest and it’s time to fly on its own. when she wrote this, she had just separated from the band and musical partner, Dave Stewart after ten years. It’s played in E Major

This song never fails to boost my spirits and bring me energy. The song is led by a synthesizer and also incorporates strong drumbeats. Songs with big beats can help us get pumped up. Lyrics also have a lot to do with a song's motivational vibe. It’s lyrics about gathering strength while feeling vulnerable empowers me. However, it's the song's beat and tempo that really motivates me.

I hope you enjoy the song selections that I’ve included and they help relax, motivate or even heal you. Music can also help with studying, focus, memory, Alzheimer's and much more.

My relationship to music has changed as a result of this course...period. I blogged about songs that I’ve listened to numerous times, but now I hear them with new levels of understanding. I listen for the beats, tempos, and can describe them in a more substantial way. I think one of my favorite assignments had to do with learning about music in different countries. A realization I had was how the history of music always ties back to or had roots to something spiritual. I didn’t mention it in this blog, but music has been used for years for healing in my culture. Our songs and the drum beats are therapeutic for my soul. They have been used for years in medicine ceremonies to heal people, played and sand when grieving, and used in celebrations and when going to war. 

There are so many layers to music and I'm thankful for this class because it has opened new windows in my mind on how to interpret it.  

 

Sources:

Collins, Donald. “Can Listening to Music Reduce Stress? Research, Benefits, and Genres.” Psych Central, Healthline Media, 18 Aug. 2021, https://psychcentral.com/stress/the-power-of-music-to-reduce-stress.

Conville, Caitlyn. “The 10 Most Relaxing Songs in the World, According to Science, Ranked.” Study Breaks, 2021 Study Breaks, 10 May 2019, https://studybreaks.com/culture/music/relaxing-songs/.

Curtin, Melanie. “Neuroscience Says Listening to This Song Reduces Anxiety by up to 65 Percent.” Inc.com, 30 May 2017, https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/neuroscience-says-listening-to-this-one-song-reduces-anxiety-by-up-to-65-percent.html. 

Gracida, L. Samuel. “History of Music Therapy: From Antiquity to Today.” Sam's Fans, 8 Oct. 2020, https://samsfans.org/history-music-therapy/. 

Lumley, Mark A, et al. “Emotional Disclosure Interventions for Chronic Pain: From the Laboratory to the Clinic.” Translational Behavioral Medicine, Springer-Verlag, Mar. 2012, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3419371/.

Saarman, Emily, and Emily Saarman. “Feeling the Beat: Symposium Explores the Therapeutic Effects of Rhythmic Music.” Stanford University, 31 May 2006, https://news.stanford.edu/news/2006/may31/brainwave-053106.html.

Songfacts. “Little Bird by Annie Lennox - Songfacts.” Song Meanings, 2021 Songfacts, LLC, https://www.songfacts.com/facts/annie-lennox/little-bird.