Contemporary Research and The Science of Sounds
Advanced brain imaging technologies in recent decades have allowed scientists to delve deeper into music’s role in anxiety relief. Studies have since confirmed what our ancestors have intuitively known for centuries. That is, music can effectively reduce anxiety by affecting our physiological responses and brain activity (Thoma et al., 2013; Koelsch, 2014).
Music therapy has been found to provide significant anxiety relief in clinical contexts. Studies of the effect of music therapy on depression and anxiety have shown that music therapy could significantly reduce symptoms of both conditions (Maratos et al., 2011). This confirms the therapeutic power of music, particularly when used under the guidance of a trained professional.
While current research provides substantial evidence of music’s effect on anxiety, more work remains to understand its impact fully. Future studies may delve further into the precise neurological changes induced by music. They may explore the potential differences in response between various musical genres and types.
More information is available from: Pathways to Peace: A Journey Through Aromatherapy, Music, Meditation, and Exercise for Anxiety Relief.
References:
Koelsch, S. (2014). Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(3), 170–180.
Maratos, A., Crawford, M. J., & Procter, S. (2011). Music therapy for depression: it seems to work, but how? British Journal of Psychiatry, 199(2), 92-93.
Thoma, M. V., La Marca, R., Brönnimann, R., Finkel, L., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). The effect of music on the human stress response. PLoS ONE, 8(8), e70156.
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