Whether or not your 2023 music playlists rounded up to 60,000 minutes listened, or barely scraped past 10,000 minutes, it doesn’t really matter. What matters more is the genres you listen to.
Ever caught yourself vibing to a tune and feeling some type of way? Maybe you have had a hunch about it but could not quite put your finger on it. Well, we’re here to share with you why.
The Science Behind Music
Listening to, or making music increases blood flow to regions in your brain that regulates your emotions (limbic system). When listening to a particularly moving or emotional piece of music, the chills that you get may be the result of dopamine, a chemical that triggers pleasure senses.
Similarly, different genres of music may trigger different chemicals in our body, allowing for your mood to alter accordingly.
The Iso-Principle
The Iso-Principle is a scientifically-proven musical therapy method that uses music to match the initial mood of a listener (usually negative), then gradually shifts into positive music to facilitate improvement in the mood of the listener.
Therefore, this method may be a healthy coping mechanism for an instant mood booster.
Types of Music and Their Effects
Different genres of music affect our mood in different ways.
- Classical Music
Classical music may allow one to feel peace, calmness, or clarity of mind, enhancing focus and relaxation.
- Heavy Metal Music
Contrary to classical music, heavy metal may induce feelings of irritability and anxiety, provoking higher levels of energy.
- Rock Music
Rock music may produce euphoric emotions, uplift moods, and increase productivity.
- Pop Music
Pop music may boost happiness and pleasurable feelings, while easing stress and confusion.
- Country Music
Country music often contains sad messages or stories, which may increase negative thoughts and induce feelings of sadness.
- Low Fidelity (Lo-Fi) Music
Lo Fi music contains slow melodies and repetitive sounds, generating a calm ambience that promotes concentration, lowers stress, and may even alleviate anxiety and ADHD.
Sources: Pfizer, American Music Therapy Association, Dream Recovery, Health News
