"I think music in itself is healing,” American musician Billy Joel once said. “It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” Most of us would wholeheartedly agree with this statement, and it is this universal bond with music that has led researchers across the globe to investigate its therapeutic potential. We can all think of at least one song that, when we hear it, triggers an emotional response. It might be a song that accompanied the first dance at your wedding, for example, or a song that reminds you of a difficult break-up or the loss of a loved one. We have a such a deep connection to music because it is hardwired in our brains and bodies. Researchers are finding that the health benefits of music may go beyond mental health, and as a result, some health experts are calling for music therapy to be more widely incorporated into health care settings. Bob Marley once sang: “One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.” According to some studies, this statement may ring true. Researchers believe one reason is because listening to music triggers the release of opioids in the brain, the body’s natural pain relievers. When feeling stressed, you may find listening to your favorite music makes you feel better – and there are numerous studies that support this effect. According to some researchers, music may help alleviate stress by lowering the body’s cortisol levels – the hormone released in response to stress. Slow music and musical pauses are associated with a decrease in heart rate, respiration and blood pressure, and faster music with increases in these parameters. Music’s effect on heart rate and its potential as a stress reliever has led a number of researchers to believe music may also be effective for treating heart conditions. Certain songs have the ability to remind us of certain periods or events in our lives – some that make us smile, and some we would rather forget. A study published in the journal Gerontologist last year assessed the effect of music on memory recall in individuals with early-stage dementia. The results revealed that both the singing and music listening groups not only had better mood and overall well-being that the usual care group, but they demonstrated better episodic memory on cognitive assessments. The singing group also showed better working memory than the usual care group. Regular musical leisure activities can have long-term cognitive, emotional, and social benefits in mild/moderate dementia and could therefore be utilized in dementia care and rehabilitation. Increasingly, research is indicating that music can help aid recovery from brain injury – such as that from stroke. A 2008 study conducted by researchers from the University of Helsinki in Finland found that stroke patients who listened to music for around 2 hours daily had better verbal memory and attention and a more positive mood than those who listened to an audio book or nothing at all. It has also been suggested that music may help treat epilepsy – a brain disorder characterized by the occurrence of seizures. Reported by MNT in August, a study found the brains of patients with epilepsy show different responses to music than the brains of those without the condition.
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