Is Music Good Medicine? Research suggests a wide range of potentially positive and negative health effects from music, depending on the type of music. The positive effects include slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, reducing levels of stress hormones, reducing levels of inflammatory cytokines, and more. The negative effects I’ll get back to after a few more thoughts about the positive effects. The notion that music can have positive effects isn’t news. In Greek mythology, Apollo was in charge of both medicine and music. Around 400 BC, Plato tells us, "…It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. It is the essence of order, and leads to all that is good, just and beautiful, of which it is the invisible, but nevertheless dazzling, passionate, and eternal form.” Well, that’s quite an endorsement for a positive connection between our well being and music. In modern times, research has shown that Plato was close to the mark. A belief that classical music could raise IQ scores became known as the "Mozart effect." This expectation that music had an ability to improve intelligence came from an observation that many musicians also had unusual mathematical abilities. In an attempt to replicate this success, millions of children dutifully listened to hours of classical music. Unfortunately, the effect only raised IQ scores a few points and even then the effect was usually gone within a short time. Significantly more benefits come from learning to play an instrument. In contrast with just listening, learning to play a musical instrument has a strong correlation with language skills, memory, and attention. Most likely, all activities that stimulate the brain enhance abilities in other areas of the brain. Given a choice for different types of brain work, music does seem to be one of the most pleasant choice. As an aid in relieving pain, reducing stress and soothing jangled nerves, research shows that music really comes through. Music therapy also has a substantial body of research showing its value in reducing symptoms of depression, improving the quality of sleep, reducing falls in the elderly, and for improving mobility for patients with Parkinson's disease. The many ways music affects us are amazing. Below is a short list of positive effects music can provide that have been backed by research. For the full details read, “20 surprising, science-backed health benefits of music.” Positive Effects • Reduce the perceived intensity of pain • Motivate us to exercise longer • Increase workout endurance • Improve sleep quality • Help us eat less • Enhance blood vessel function • Reduce negative effects of stress • Mimic the therapeutic effect of a meditation • Relieve symptoms of depression • Improve cognitive performance • Improve performance in high-pressure situations. • Reduce anxiety • Relax patients before and after surgery • Help patients manage stress and anxiety • Ease recovery in stroke patients While the potential for music to improve our lives is remarkable, not all music can be counted on to be helpful. Music that is too loud or too jarring can be distracting. Given an expectation that what we think about most of the time influences what we become, music with depressing lyrics runs counter to any positive expectation. In fairness to the youth of today, every generation before believed that pop music would be the demise of society. Although this has not happened yet, there does seem to be a negative quality in the lyrics of many pop music songs today that makes some of the most depressing pop music of earlier generations almost uplifting by comparison. In the article “10 Surprising Ways Music Can Be Bad For You”, there is more than enough to give you pause before building a playlist from some of today’s pop music. Below are just a few of the concerns. Negative Effects • Hearing damage in teens is growing • Sad music increase anxiety and neuroses • Music can disrupt studying and work performance that involves concentration • Loud music while driving is dangerous • Quality of lyrics and musical variation are decreasing • Music videos often suggest negative values in relationships • Negativity increases mortality • Association with unhealthy products affects choices A study conducted by the New York School of Medicine examined product endorsements by major pop stars and concluded that the vast majority of products endorsed were high- calorie, sweetened soft drinks or nutrient-poor foods. While music alone may not have hurt anyone, the lifestyle promoted by pop music may have encouraged drug abuse and obesity. Growing up, my home had the radio tuned to a local station that played lively and uplifting family-friendly and advertisement free music from morning till night. It was music that often conveyed happiness and adventure. Although this was half a world away from my home today, I somehow managed to discover from my friends America’s pop music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. During these formative years, I was fortunate to be in a culturally diverse community with music spanning traditional folk to classical. Interestingly, music from America’s big band era was also finding its way to my ears although at the time nearly forgotten in America. Much like the foods we like, music is also an acquired taste. If music has lost its flavor then perhaps it’s time to investigate alternatives. Streaming music service’s offer one of the easiest ways to explore. My favorite places to explore music are Pandora.com, Barnes and Noble, and the local public library. For a pleasant change of pace explore the library’s jazz and international music collections. For a refreshing change of pace, try something different. Possibilities to consider include CDs from these local library collections: • Putumayo Presents (66 music CDs from around the world) • The Rough Guide (32 music CDs from around the world) • PriceLess Jazz Sampler • The History of Jazz (video) • The Big Band Era (several collections) Getting music CDs from the library is easy. Either visit the library or remotely access the library’s online catalog. If just beginning your exploration, I suggest an initial trip to the downtown branch (Main) of the library with a portable CD player in hand. The downtown branch has the largest collection. While there, sample CDs for types of music you have not been exposed to. If new to the library, ask for a library card and ask for instructions on how to reserve CDs remotely from home. Also, ask for instructions on how to download media for your portable devices. Music from the public library has been an enriching experience in my home and I hope it will be in your home. Before venturing a trek to the library, be aware that the library’s collection of CDs is physically spread over its many branches. Often, you will need to request a CD and wait for its delivery to your closest branch. Fortunately, there is a convenient service that allows you to find items of interest by logging into the library website (https://hmcpl.org/) with your library credentials. As a user of the library’ s cloud-based services, you will also have access to email notices about the availability of requested items and reminders when items are due. Need a little more excitement in your life or giddyup in your daily walk? Hitching up to a handy music player could be your answer. Granted music is not the answer to all problems. However, music’s ability to soothe ‘the savage beast’ makes for a good strategy after a hard day. As for Mozart replacing Prozac, don’t count on it as an immediate replacement. In practice, even small positive lifestyle changes make a difference. Add up enough small differences and you get a big difference in health. That’s when the best health can be expected. Join me Saturday morning for a walk and talk. I’d love to hear about the music that lifts your spirits and puts a spring in your steps. If needing a cool activity, early spring mornings can’t be beaten. For the most enjoyment, watch the weather and if rain is likely bring an umbrella. If you didn’t notice, the time for summer morning walks has been moved to 6:00 am. Before the summer days warm, the mornings are a delight - absolutely worth getting up to enjoy. Nancy Neighbors, MD Huntsville, Alabama Learn More About How Music Affects Health • How Music Affects Us and Promotes Health • Is it Good to Listen to Music While Studying? • Music and Health – Harvard Health Publishing • The Scientific Benefits of Music • Why listening to music is the key to good health |