The Science Behind the Relaxing Effects of Music

by Robert Rich Fashion

Music profoundly affects our mood, blood pressure, and heart rate. It can even alter the way we perceive pain. Studies have shown that simply listening to music can reduce anxiety pre-op by up to 50%.

So what exactly is happening in our brains when we listen to music?

When we hear a song that we enjoy, our brain releases dopamine, a “feel good” chemical that promotes feelings of pleasure and reward. This release of dopamine is similar to what happens when we eat food.

In addition to dopamine, music also triggers the release of serotonin, another mood-boosting chemical. Serotonin is known to have calming and anti-anxiety effects.

Finally, music can help to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is released in response to stress and can negatively affect our health if it’s in our bodies for too long.

So next time you’re stressed, pop on your favorite tunes and let the power of music work its magic!

How different types of music can produce different effects

Not all music is equally effective at reducing stress. In general, slower tempos and more relaxing genres are best for relaxation. But everyone is different, so it’s important to find the type of music that works best for you.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few different types of music that can be effective for relaxation:

 

• Classical music
• Jazz
• Blues
• Ambient/electronic music
• World music
• New age music

 

Give them a try and see what works best for you!

The benefits of using music for relaxation are clear. But what if you’re not a fan of music? Luckily, other ways to reduce stress don’t involve listening to music.

The role of dopamine

The role of dopamine in the relaxation response to music has been studied extensively. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. It’s also involved in motor function, motivation, and reinforcement of rewarding behaviors.

Dopamine release increases in response to pleasurable experiences like eating, sex, drugs—and music. In one study, researchers used PET scans to measure dopamine levels in 61 healthy participants while they listened to their favorite music. They found that dopamine was released in the striatum—an area of the brain associated with reward—in response to pleasurable music.

So how does dopamine help us relax? One theory is that it reduces pain perception by activating the brain’s reward system. In other words, when we listen to music that we enjoy, our brain is rewarded with dopamine, reducing our perception of pain.

Another theory is that dopamine release helps us to feel more relaxed by reducing stress and anxiety. In one study, participants were divided into two groups: one group listened to relaxation music while the other listened to music they found relaxing. The researchers found that the group who listened to the relaxation music had significantly lower cortisol levels—a stress hormone—than the other group.

So, next time you’re feeling stressed or anxious, put on some of your favorite tunes and let the dopamine flow!

 

Conclusion:

Music has a profound effect on our mood and stress levels. It can even alter the way we perceive pain. Listening to relaxing music can help to reduce anxiety, lower cortisol levels, and boost dopamine and serotonin production. If you’re not a music fan, there are other ways to reduce the stress that doesn’t involve listening to music. Try different types of music and see what works best for you!

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Created on Oct 16th 2022 11:47. Viewed 137 times.

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