We can all agree that the music we listen to affects our mood. For example, we listen to pop if we’re happy or maybe slower music if we’re sad. But no matter what we listen to or how it makes us feel, it affects our mental health, even subconsciously. It’s often overlooked, but music can be very powerful in eliciting emotional responses.
In a study done by the National Institutes of Health, it was found that different types of genres invoke different kinds of reactions. They gathered 144 people and completed psychological profiles before and after listening to four different genres of music. The subjects listened to classical, grunge rock, new age and a designer genre that was designed specifically to have an effect on the listener. While listening to grunge rock music, the listeners were found to have an increase in hostility and tension. On the other hand, the listeners of the designer music had an increase of relaxation and mental clarity. The new age and classical music had mixed results, but there were shifts among all subjects that were observed with the genres of music.
Music temporarily affects our moods, but it also affects our mental health in the long run. For comparison, this could be similar to what’s known as “seasonal depression.” When winter rolls around, we’re fine around the start, but soon fatigue and burnout start to set in. In correlation, if you listen to sad or melancholy music a majority of the time, it can deeply affect your mental health and how you perceive the world.
The concept of this is explored in an article by Embark Behavioral Health, which states: “There are studies that show, however, that music can impact our mood long-term, increasing depression or anxiety. Certain songs, certain lyrics, certain genres of music are more likely to intensify depression or anxiety, sometimes as much or more as outside stressors and environmental factors.”
Consuming too much media, like listening to your favorite album over and over, can be unhealthy for you because of its emotional impact. These detrimental impacts aren’t short term, but rather long term with a long lasting effect on your limbic system, the region of your brain that primarily controls your emotions.
Furthermore, if you mostly listen to depressing or sad music, this can prevent dopamine from being released through your hypothalamus and cause a dopamine deficiency. Dopamine deficiencies can be linked to depression, anxiety and even Parkinson’s disease.
The brain is a very complex organ; one which we have yet to fully understand. However, with the knowledge that we can control our dopamine levels with the types of media we consume, we may be able to prevent or mitigate mental disorders like depression. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should never indulge in a sad song. Listen to your heart’s content. Nonetheless, you should keep in mind that the type of music you listen to is similar to your diet: everything should be in moderation. The choices you make can affect your mental health long-term, so be vigilant of what you listen to.
