Music has be ability to invoke emotion. While this may be obvious, I was specifically inspired to write this when I was rewatching Lala Land. While the vibrant colors undoubtedly contribute to the movie's impact, it is the music that truly defines it. If you were to listen to the movie without the soundtrack, it would evidently not invoke the same emotions that causes this movie to be one of people's favorites. This, however, poses the question: if music has the ability to change our emotions so drastically, could it help those who struggle with mental health issues as well?
In recent years, scientists have become more interested in studying how music affects our brains and bodies. They found that when we listen to music, our brains release a chemical called dopamine, which is linked to motivation and pleasure. But dopamine alone doesn't explain why music makes us feel good.
There are special parts in our brain, called hedonic hotspots, that are activated by music and make us feel pleasure. These hotspots are triggered by a different chemical system in our brains, which responds to things like pain relief medicines. When we listen to music and our brain releases dopamine, it also activates these pleasure hotspots through the opioid system, making us enjoy the music even more. Studies using brain imaging techniques like PET and fMRI have shown that when we listen to music we like, certain areas in our brain light up, like the Nucleus Accumbens, which is part of our brain's reward system. This is why we feel good and happy when we hear our favorite songs.
Beyond its impact on the brain, music has been found to influence neuroendocrine responses. This highlights music's ability to modulate physiological responses and may explain why it is effective in reducing stress in the cardiovascular and endocrine systems.
The increasing evidence of music's benefits supports the development of music-based therapies in the healthcare sector. Music therapy can be led by a therapist or done by oneself. During a therapy session, the therapist would play a song for the patient and then encourage the patient to talk about his or her feelings. There are many different types of ways to use music therapy. For example, music can be used to distract the patient from other factors contributing to their mental illness, or it can allow the patient to dive deeper into emotions, both past and current, that may affect their mental illness.
Music therapy has shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, offering opportunities for expression, emotional processing, and the development of healthy relationships. It is evident that music therapy can be a powerful tool in managing mental health conditions and promoting overall well-being. If you yourself have a specific song or playlist that you listen to when you are feeling sad to improve your mood, then it will be evident to you what an impact music can have in improving your mood.
As with any intervention, music therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and individual preferences and responses to music may vary. While music undoubtedly has many benefits, it can also have drawbacks, particularly concerning its influence on emotional states. Music's potential to evoke strong emotional responses may not always be beneficial for those already dealing with overwhelming emotions, potentially exacerbating their mental state. Different types of music can evoke various neurological stimulations, potentially leading to discomfort or negative emotions in certain individuals. Loud and aggressive music, such as heavy metal or certain sub-genres of hip-hop, may contribute to heightened stress or agitation. Techno music, for instance, induces changes in neurotransmitters, peptides, and hormonal reactions similar to those seen during psychological stress. Moreover, excessive exposure to music with depressive or distressing themes might reinforce negative emotions or contribute to a downward spiral in individuals struggling with mental health issues.
As with any intervention, individual preferences and responses to music should be taken into account, and moderation should be exercised to avoid potential negative impacts on mental well-being. In my opinion, music therapy is a great and relatively inexpensive way to help with mental health issues. Although this should not be a sole treatment option, music therapy is definitely one way to better the results of mental health treatments.
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