If I told you there is something that could improve your mood, decrease blood pressure, keep your blood flowing, lower your heart rate, calm you down, boost your immunity, and enhance your ability to learn, would you be interested?

What if I told you that it is free and does not involve medication? Now I have your interest! There is something that will do all of the above and is also quite enjoyable.

It is music!

Studies in England have found that patients who were taught to play music as part of a study for the treatment of depression experienced a reduction in their symptoms by 25%. Research in Italy revealed that listening to Celtic, classical, or Indian (raga) music for 30 minutes a day can significantly lower blood pressure. Researchers in the US found that relaxing music can dilate blood vessels in the body and improve general blood flow. Music that was perceived as stressful (heavy metal as an example) caused the blood vessels to contract and decrease blood flow to the body.

When students were studied by having them listen to six types of music, researchers found their heart rate synced up to the speed of the music regardless of the style and their interest. If the music was lively, their hearts sped up. If the music slowed down, so did their heart rates. It produces an additional calming, immune, and mood boosting effect by lowering cortisol levels, increasing hormones that improve the immune response and raise endorphin levels.

Finally, you have probably heard about the Mozart effect, where listening to Mozart’s music enhances learning. Baroque music, with a 60 beat per minute pattern, particularly activates both the right and left side of the brain. This enables the brain to process information more easily. It also improves recall of information when a particular tune is used during studying and then replayed.

Music is the universal language appealing to all of us while enhancing learning and healing. As medical costs continue to skyrocket, it is nice to know that there is something enjoyable and therapeutic we can do (in addition to your regular preventive evaluation and treatments) to improve our health!

“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” ~ Billy Joel

What music helps you to feel better and heal?