Music has a powerful and positive effect on mental health. Music is something most
people listen to daily, be it in the car, at home, at school or while working out. Music can
relieve stress, improve people’s moods, create emotional connections, help with memory
retention and be used for therapy. Music plays a very important role in supporting many
people’s mental well-being.
Two of the most important uses of music in recent years has been to relieve stress and
have fun. According to a study on how music relieves stress by Donald Collins from
PsychCentral on August 18, 2021, when people feel stressed, their heart rate and blood
pressure go up and their adrenal gland begins producing a hormone called cortisol, also
known as the stress hormone.
High levels of cortisol over time can lead to anxiety, sleep issues, headaches and other
health issues. Listening to calm and relaxing music can lower cortisol levels in the body.
Many people also listen to music during busy or overwhelming days to feel calmer.
By lowering stress levels, music helps protect both mental and physical health.
“In times when people feel sad, stressed, anxious or lonely, listening to or making music
can often help people boost their mental well-being,” says Global Council on Brain Health
(GCBH) Executive Director Sarah Lenz Lock.
Music also improves mood. When people listen to music they like, their brains release a
chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter
because it is connected to pleasure and happiness. Music can make people feel understood and supported. Singing and
dancing along to a song can also boost positive feelings. Because music increases
dopamine, it can help reduce feelings of sadness and increase feelings of joy and comfort.
Local model and musician Shamus Scott believes music is a big part of life and mental
health.
“Music is one of the only things that lets me fully express my feelings without having to
explain myself to anyone. When I’m stressed, I’ll always put on a song or start messing
around with my instruments to create something of my own. It helps me slow down and
breathe.”