Music and Mental Health

Summary

Neuroscience has explored how music affects us. The reward system is involved in how and why we respond to music. Our response is to listening to music and to performing music. Music allows us to change our perspective. Go on, jump into a musical role to discover how it makes you feel.

Singing

Singing can be a source of joy. It can bring joy and provide the energy and desire to spread joy. Via giving, we can also receive. We receive the benefit of interacting with other people, whether they enjoy our singing or not. And, singing opens a conversation of sorts, tapping into the socialization quotient of emotional experiencing.

The neuroscience supports employing music to promote healthy living.

Firstly, singing engages pelvic muscles important for deep breathing. Singing is in fact accomplished as a balance of opposing actions. Nevertheless, the deep breathing employed in singing is analogous to deep breathing techniques to deal with anxiety and when those core muscles are engaged, it is difficult to remain anxious or angry due to vagal nerve stimulation among other reasons – which does not mean that strong emotion is not experienced when singing.

As a result of multiple facial and neck muscles being implicated in singing, we can create sound and we express emotion. Facial muscles communicate with our brain to elicit affect or emotion. There are mirror neurons involved. These neurons are inherent in the reactions we experience when we are in contact with people who appear angry, sad, happy, anxious. And, this is why we mirror people who yawn or sneeze. The message that my brain receives in seeing someone doing these actions causes me to respond in kind.

Don’t take my word for it. The BBC published an article about the benefits of music during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200518-why-singing-can-make-you-feel-better-in-lockdown

Listening to Music

Not to be neglected, listening to music also elicits emotions. McGill University School of Music has conducted research to substantiate the effects of music on people. Read about their discovery of the involvement of dopamine and the reward system during a musical experience:

https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/musical-chills-why-they-give-us-thrills-170538

Take a look at an article about research at McGill University providing evidence for the engagement of the reward system in listening to music. https://www.mcgill.ca/channels/channels/news/unexpected-creates-reward-when-listening-music-294585

Is the exhilaration in the preparation to attend a concert or by being present at a concert?

Indre Viskontas, a neuroscientist and musician, offers a TED Talk about how music makes her a better neuroscientist.

A poignant message in the presentation is her discussion on the engagement of the reward system in our appreciation of musical performances. Think twice about why you are salivating prior to attending a concert by your favourite band. In fact, you are very likely tapping into your reward system, in anticipation of the concert. Once at the concert, you may not feel as fulfilled as you imagined you would be prior to the performance because the anticipatory stage is when your reward system reached its pinnacle of satisfaction.

Let this not take the wind out of your sails while planning for a musical experience. Consider this an opportunity to appreciate the contribution of your reward system to making yours a life of wonder and anticipation. And, then, seize the moment and enjoy the beauty of the music performed by talented musicians, sharing their joy (and other emotions) with you.

Music As An Opportunity To Shift Our Perspective

We play many parts in our lives. Consider jumping into a role to discover how music makes you feel. Choose a role that makes you feel happy or silly or playful, for a change. Fill your lungs with air, open your mouth, and belt it out (with caution, if you want to protect your vocal cords from damage!).

Doesn’t that feel good?