I always get interested when I see the words “research has shown” attached to any article, or comment published. As a former marketing “bod”, I have used research to strengthen or mollify a particular preposition, or defined idea. Most people never ask “What is, or was the research?” They are usually content with your affirming stand and simply accept the fact that you probably would not tell them something that isn’t true. In my case, I never knowingly did lie. This is due, in large measure, to the fact that I am naturally cautious when I see a research statement used and will always put an increasing amount of effort into understanding the what, where, who and why of any research study into any subject I am interested in, or have a need to know about.

Anyone who is following the comments I am writing and posting here, will however, not be surprised to know that I have studied the following piece of research stated and offer it here for your reading pleasure. Ok, well maybe not pleasure, I can’t believe you are as sad as I dear reader, but if you do get something from this set of notes, please rest assured I am happy with the scientific basis of the points raised.

So……

Research has shown that music has a profound effect on your body and psyche. In fact, there’s a growing field of health care known as Music Therapy, which uses music to heal. Notice I am talking about music here and not specifically singing.

Those who practice music therapy are finding a benefit in using music to help cancer patients, children with ADHD, and others, and even hospitals are beginning to use music and music therapy to help with pain management, to help ward off depression, to promote movement, to calm patients, to ease muscle tension, and for many other benefits that music and music therapy can bring. We should find this all pretty unsurprising, as music affects the body and mind in many powerful ways. Those of you who are old enough can, perhaps, think back to the late 60′s and bands like King Crimson. I can vouch for the relaxing benefits of lying down in a dark room listening to the whole of the Court of The Crimson King album. Awesome, in fact still is. No weed needed, just a clear head and no distraction.

Getting back to this research then; The following are some of effects of music, which help to explain the effectiveness of music therapy my happy band of researchers tell us.

But before all the exciting stuff, what exactly is Music Therapy?

Definition: Music therapy is a branch of health care designed to aid physical and emotional health through the use of music, either with listening, song writing, performing, exploring lyrics or other activities related to music. It’s often found as part of stress management programs or used in conjunction with exercise, and is uses in a variety of health care settings, with very good results in both short-term conditions and more serious long-term ones. Shall I go on…..?

While music therapy is an emerging field, music itself has many benefits for health and stress management, and can be used in daily life to relieve stress and promote wellness. (This is not formal music therapy, but it can be effective for stress relief.)

• Brain Waves: Research has shown that music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and a slower tempo promoting a calm, meditative. Not sure it works in an Ibiza bar at 11pm on the first night of your holiday, but let’s give this research more time. The research also showed that the change in brainwave activity levels that music can bring can also enable the brain to shift speeds more easily on its own as needed, which means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you’ve stopped listening. Well that sounds more “Ibiza” I think.
• Breathing and Heart Rate: With alterations in brainwaves comes changes in other bodily functions. Those governed by the autonomic nervous system, such as rate can also be altered by the changes music can bring. This can mean slower breathing, slower heart rate, and an activation of the relaxation response, among other things. This is why music and music therapy can help counteract or prevent the damaging effects of chronic stress, greatly promoting not only relaxation, but health.
• State of Mind: Music can also be used to bring a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay. This can help prevent the stress response from wreaking havoc on the body, and can help keep creativity and optimism levels higher, bringing many other benefits.
• Other Benefits: Music has also been found to bring many other benefits, such as lowering blood pressure (which can also reduce the risk of stroke and other health problems over time), boost immunity, ease muscle tension, and more. With so many benefits and such profound
  physical effects, it’s no surprise that so many are seeing music as an important tool to help the body in staying (or becoming) healthy.

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