Certain songs can coax a tear, while others bring joy. But while music triggers these emotional responses, it can also affect the physical body. Research confirms music can heal in many ways, including reducing stress, easing pain, lowering blood pressure, enhancing cognitive function, and supporting recovery from stroke.
Music’s therapeutic value is well-researched and documented. MRI imaging shows that music lights up billions of neurons in almost every part of the human brain. This activity stimulates activity across many connected regions and can even bypass damaged areas.
Studies include subjects of all ages, from babies in the womb to older adults. Washington University in St. Louis studied Parkinson’s patients and how music therapy helps with movement, mood, and coordination. And after a gunshot left US Representative Gabby Giffords with severe brain damage, intense music therapy helped in her recovery to regain mobility and speech. Research on babies in the NICU shows that music helps in many ways, including fewer oxygen desaturations and apneas, and improved pain scores.
Music is used in many more ways to help heal. Studies show listening to music can be more effective than prescription drugs in reducing anxiety before surgery or other medical procedures. Even in a non-clinical setting, it’s been proven that simply listening to music for 30 minutes per day can lower depression and anxiety. Music triggers the body’s release of dopamine, serotonin, and endogenous opioids, which help with mood regulation and natural pain relief. At the same time, it suppresses the stress hormone cortisol.
But not all music is created equal. Research shows that classical music helps in many ways, including steadying the autonomic nervous system, improving memory, and enhancing focused attention. Similarly, ambient and nature sounds, such as falling rain or flowing water, help shift the central nervous system into the parasympathetic rest state, providing mental distraction and deep relaxation. Alpha waves and 432Hz audio, often used in meditation, also help encourage a resting brain state. All these genres can help heal the body by lowering stress hormones and relaxing the nervous system.
Music selections made up of personal song favorites are valuable for anyone, as they bring comfort, peace, and good memories. However, it’s especially beneficial for treating those suffering from dementia or trauma. Familiar, meaningful music can bypass damaged areas of the brain and activate the hippocampus. This can temporarily help reduce agitation, lower cortisol, improve communication, and retrieve old memories.
Beyond passively listening, playing music or singing offers additional benefits. For example, speech centers are on the left side of the brain, while singing abilities are generally on the right side. That means individuals recovering from stroke can benefit from singing what they want to say until they recuperate enough for regular speech.
Music has documented therapeutic benefits backed by extensive scientific research. Make the most of it! Music can bring healing and comfort during tough times.
Explore this related content from HEC Media:
Music therapy for the brain development of premature babies
Meet the hospice nurse who uses music therapy
Po Mia is an eclectic local musician with a background in music therapy
Music that Reclaims is a program that helps foster children with the gift of instruments and music therapy
The Healing Power of Sound -Learn how the soundbaths can transform a person’s response to stressors by retraining one’s relaxation response.
Kids Rock Cancer is a documentary, narrated by Bob Costas, that highlights the Maryville University’s music therapy program helping children and their families
