The Therapeutic Benefits of Music

Analgesics relieve pain. Sedatives reduce anxiety. Antidepressants lift moods.

Music is capable of all of these and more.

Before someone objects, let me qualify this. I'm not saying that music is greater than a life-saving anti-cancer therapy, anti-inflammatory, or vaccine capable of preventing a deadly inflection. That would be as ridiculous as suggesting an injection of disinfectant, or a bright light might prevent COVID. I'm simply saying that music has therapeutic benefits that go largely overlooked, perhaps due to its prevalence in our lives.

The right song in the right moment can alter mood and consciousness. It can modulate our spirit and perceived reality and shape us to its will.

Music can lift us by reminding us of our most joyous days. I listen to such songs so frequently that I barely hear them anymore. They've become like the air I breathe, surrounding and nourishing my body and soul.

A growing body of clinical and evidence-based data shows that music interventions can significantly impact memory, wellness, stress reduction, and pain management. There is hope around efforts by Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients using sound and light therapy.

In addition, while it's uncertain whether music-based interventions are helpful for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), some anecdotal evidence indicates that music therapy has helped with social interaction, verbal communication, initiating behavior, and reducing anxiety.

Like an allergic reaction or side effect, music can also inflict intolerable pain by reminding us of our worst moments and losses. There are songs so painful and heavy when they reach my ears that I never dare listen to them despite having them forever a few clicks away.

The effects of this aural narcotic vary greatly from human to human, and the depth and intensity of the experience are subjective and personal. I suppose, in that?way, the effects?of music are much like those?of actual hallucinogenics.

Why is the effect of music on humans so profound? What's the Mechanism of Action?

Music is art created through another human's joy, pain, love, or loss. In that shared human emotion, we feel a connection. We're no longer alone. We share our joy, pain, love, or loss with someone else. There is power and healing in that.

The second aspect is associating songs with specific moments or events. It conjures the mood, feelings, smells, and thoughts we experienced from that time. Music makes memories come to life.

The following may not be the greatest songs of all time (or maybe they are), but here are ten songs I reach for from the audio medicine cabinet when I need a lift. Take two and call me in the morning, but remember: results may vary.

1. Marvin Gaye — “Got to Give It Up”
2. Grateful Dead — “Eyes of the World”
3. Ms. Lauryn Hill — “Everything is Everything”
4. LCD Soundsystem — “I Can Change”
5. Led Zeppelin — “Celebration Day”
6. Bob Marley — “Lively Up Yourself”
7. Curtis Mayfield — “Move on Up”
8. Talking Heads — “Girlfriend is Better”
9. Peter Tosh — “Ketchy Shuby”
10. Stevie Wonder — “I Wish”
11. BONUS: Tribe Called Quest — “Can I Kick It?”