Does music cure the blues?

What if I told you that your upbeat techno playlist filled with John Summit, Steve Aoki, and David Guetta, isn’t just loud noise for the clubs, but that it’s actually good for your mental health? As Sade says, “This is no ordinary love”.  And honestly, neither is the bond between our brains and music. Research shows that music activates the same brain regions tied to emotion and memories, helping us release stress and even produce feel-good chemicals in our brains. 

According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting more than 300 million people and killing nearly 800,000 across the globe every year. Unfortunately, many people do not have access to medical resources, and others often experience the social stigma of mental disorders, and do not receive any treatment.

Over the years, music-based interventions have been developed and widely recognized as a way to address the cognitive and emotional needs of individuals experiencing depression. Studies looking at patients with depression and dementia show that music sparks a cascade of happy hormones, offering a scientific explanation for the joy we feel when melody meets memory. These happy hormones include:

• Dopamine: This neurotransmitter is typically associated with pleasure and reward. Studies using brain imaging show that listening to upbeat music stimulates the release of dopamine in specific regions of the brain, including the nucleus accumbens, striatum, and ventral tegmental area. In particular, dopamine is released during emotional peaks throughout music, for example when you get chills or anticipate an intense beat drop.  

  
  

• Oxytocin: This hormone, known as the “love hormone”, is involved in emotional bonding. Typically, it is released during emotional connections, such as hugging or romantic attachment. Research shows that when music is experienced in social settings, i.e. music festivals, oxytocin is released, triggering people to feel more connected and bonded.

  
  

• Serotonin: This neurotransmitter is involved in emotions and mood regulation. Studies show an indirect correlation of serotonin levels increasing when you listen to upbeat music. Research suggests serotonin levels increase by reducing cortisol, the stress hormone, in turn, allowing serotonin to function better.

Along with releasing these happy hormones, music has been found to influence brain function through rewiring and reprogramming of the brain. Studies show music stimulates generation of new brain cells, ultimately increasing neuroplasticity. This in turn can lead to enhanced cognitive function, including memory and focus.

However, these positive consequences of music are not linked to all types of music. A study found that participants who listened to upbeat music for 2 weeks, had increased cognitive function and improved mood, compared to participants who listened to low vibe music.

So, if you are already feeling blue, maybe listening to Sinead O’Connor’s, “Nothing Compares 2 U” on repeat for “7 hours and 15 days”, is not the best idea. Instead, consider blasting “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, and let your happy hormones be released!

References:

1. Aalbers, Sonja et al. “Music therapy for depression.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 11,11 CD004517. 16 Nov. 2017, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004517.pub3

   
   

2. Fukui, Hajime, and Kumiko Toyoshima. “Testosterone, oxytocin and co-operation: A hypothesis for the origin and function of music.” Frontiers in psychology vol. 14 1055827. 13 Feb. 2023, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1055827

   
   

3. Kamioka, Hiroharu et al. “Effectiveness of music therapy: a summary of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials of music interventions.” Patient preference and adherence vol. 8 727-54. 16 May. 2014, doi:10.2147/PPA.S61340

   
   

4. Keeler, Jason R et al. “The neurochemistry and social flow of singing: bonding and oxytocin.” Frontiers in human neuroscience vol. 9 518. 23 Sep. 2015, doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00518

   
   

5. Li, Hui-Chi et al. “The effect of music therapy on reducing depression in people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.) vol. 40,5 (2019): 510-516. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.03.017

   
   

6. Schaefer, Hans-Eckhardt. “Music-Evoked Emotions-Current Studies.” Frontiers in neuroscience vol. 11 600. 24 Nov. 2017, doi:10.3389/fnins.2017.00600

   
   

7. Tang, Qishou et al. “Effects of music therapy on depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” PloS one vol. 15,11 e0240862. 18 Nov. 2020, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0240862

   
   

8. T Zaatar, Muriel et al. “The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease.” Brain, behavior, & immunity - health vol. 35 100716. 12 Dec. 2023, doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100716

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