Have you always wondered how listening and
dancing to your favourite song keeps you happy
and going all day? Science has proved over and
over again that good music soothes the body,
soul and relieves stress.
Music is said to be a universal language. It is
known to unite cultures and nations.
Researchers state that playing and listening
to music has great benefits for both our
mental and physical health.
A review of 400 research papers in the
Neurochemistry of Music found that music
can improve the function of the body’s immune
system, reduce pain and blood pressure in
addition to relieving stress.
The study proves that listening and singing
along to a music is more successful and
effective than prescription drugs in
decreasing a person’s anxiety .
The lead researcher, professor of medicine,
James Levitin, says playing and listening to
music reduced pain and anxiety levels in
cancer patients.
Levitin states, “We have found compelling
evidence that musical interventions can play a
health care role in settings ranging from
operating rooms to family clinics. But even
more importantly, we were able to document
the neuro chemical mechanisms by which music
has an effect in four domains: management of
mood, stress, immunity and as an aid to social
bonding.”
He states that listening to music increases
the production of the antibody, Immunoglobin
A, which plays an important role in helping the
body fight infections and diseases.
“The body produces higher levels of these
antibody, Immunoglobin A when you listen to
music or sing a song from your heart.This
antibody attacks germs and bacteria invading
the body.”
Listening to and playing music can also lower
levels of cortisol (the stress hormone),
according to Levitin and Dr. Mona Lisa Chanda,
his postgraduate research fellow.
Also, a research published in the British
Journal of Psychiatry states that music
therapy, when combined with standard care, is
a successful treatment for depression.
They add that it is not just cool music and
jazz that is good for your health.
According to them, fast-paced music supplies
more adrenaline to the brain which is
necessary for mental activities.
They note that listening to thrilling and loud
music gives similar health benefits that food
and good sex gives.
The report states, “Music gives more
pleasure and it makes you anticipate, which is
similar to the feeling you have during sex.
When this happens, your system secrets more
dopamine, the hormone that makes you happy
and reduces pain and stress.”
There is more to music, here are six
interesting ways that it can help your health,
Relieves back and muscle pain
Experts say that music works on the
autonomic nervous system – the part of the
nervous system responsible for controlling
our blood pressure, heartbeat and brain
function – and also the limbic system – the
part of the brain that controls feelings and
emotions.
According to a research published in Vienna
Medical Weekly by Austrian doctors, when
slow rhythms are played, our blood pressure
and heartbeat slow down which helps us
breathe more slowly, thus reducing muscle
tension in our neck, shoulders, stomach and
back.
They add that apart from relieving physical
tension, music also reduces psychological
tension in the mind.
Clinical psychologist Franz Wendtner, who led
the study, says, ‘Music is an important part of
our physical and emotional wellbeing – ever
since we were babies in our mother’s womb
listening to her heartbeat and breathing
rhythms.
“Listening to music for about 25 minutes
every day for at least 10 days can help
prevent back pain and also make you sleep
better. Music can help migraine and chronic
headache sufferers reduce the intensity,
frequency, and duration of the headaches.”
‘The experts believe that any type of
classical music that is calm and slow can help
relieve muscle pain.
Reduces blood pressure
By playing recordings of relaxing music every
morning and evening, people with high blood
pressure can train themselves to lower their
blood pressure – and keep it low. According to
a research reported at the American Society
of Hypertension meeting in New Orleans,
listening to just 30 minutes of classical,
Celtic or raga music every day may
significantly reduce high blood pressure.
Medicine for the heart
Music is good for your heart. British
researchers recruited young men and women,
half of whom were trained musicians. The
participants slipped on head phones and
listened to six styles of music, including rap
and classical pieces, with random two-minute
pauses. As the participants kicked back and
listened, the researchers monitored their
breathing, heart rates and blood pressure.
The participants had faster heart and
breathing rates when they listened to lively
music. When the musical slowed, so did their
heart and breathing rates.
During the musical pauses, heart and
breathing rates normalised or reached more
optimal levels. Whether or not a person liked
the style of music did not matter. The tempo,
or pace, of the music had the greatest effect
on relaxation.
Improves memory
The power of music to affect memory is quite
intriguing. Listening to sixty beats per minute
activates the left and right brain. The
simultaneous left and right brain action
maximises learning and retention of
information. The information being studied
activates the left brain while the music
activates the right brain. Also, activities
which engage both sides of the brain at the
same time, such as playing an instrument or
singing, cause the brain to be more capable of
processing information.