Music: the not so old key to the soul 

By Rayane Halawani

Have you ever wondered how it would feel to be treated through music? Well, psychological studies have shown that it is possible to enhance both our mood and health through music. The process is quite simple: you listen to a kind of music that makes you feel good whenever you feel down. Rock, punk, classic… you name it and choose it. And at that point, there is only one shadow that has not been cleared out. Should you listen to sad songs or cheerful ones? 

A study published in 2016, conducted by researchers at Durham University in the UK and the University of Jyväskylä in Finland[1], has proved that there are two options for the reason why people like to hear sad music when they feel down. The first is related to social psychology: basically, when you focus on someone who is doing worse than you, a sort of relief takes over your brain. Following the logic of this process, also known as downward social comparison, you would not feel that sad if Adele or Conan Gray were passing through a situation that was tougher than yours. The second option is all about neuroscience and the chemical processes of the brain. The main hypothesis discussed here revolves around hormones and brain adaptation. Dopamine, or should we call it the pleasure and motivation hormone, is released at a certain peak of emotions, resulting in a state of happiness and relaxation in the brain. However, sad tunes are not efficient for everybody, so pay attention to the reaction of your friend before diving further into the saddest playlist on your streaming service. 

Furthermore, a therapy – music therapy- that revolves around the music world is getting more and more used by health professionals to reduce symptoms of certain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, cardiac conditions… It is also used to help treat some disorders like OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and mental illnesses like schizophrenia. This intervention involves numerous ways, like making or writing music, singing or dancing, discussing music, or simply listening to it. It is usually practiced in hospitals, clinics, community health centers, private offices, physical therapy practices, and rehabilitation facilities. 

Though music therapy should not be confused with sound therapy, each of these two therapies has its own goals, tools, and regulations. Firstly, sound therapy is based on ancient Tibetan practices while music therapy is a relatively new discipline. Secondly, music therapy focuses on symptoms like stress and pain so that they can be treated, while sound therapy uses tools to achieve specific sound frequencies. Finally, certifications and trainings for a sound therapist are not standardized for a music therapist. Note that up until now, music therapy has not been used individually to treat illnesses and diseases: it is combined with other medical treatments to release the best out of you and help you outpass a specific phase that may be causing damage to your mental health. 

[1] Here's Why Listening to Sad Music Makes You Feel Better: ScienceAlert