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Aryanna Hearns

Professor Freeland

ENG 1201

21 Mar. 2021

How can music impact depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues?

Music is a universal medium that many use. Although the methods and the reasons for

engaging in music may differentiate between people, it remains to be a common factor in the

daily lives of many. In a time where mental health struggles are prevalent, some turn to music as

their preferred method to cope. However, the valid question remains as to what impact does

music have upon one's mental health?

The idea behind music's link to mental health has been suggested for centuries. It has

been referenced in the works of Plato and Aristotle, but in some parts of the world, it can be cited

before their time. Around 5th century BCE, Ancient Greeks began to shift their views regarding

the fields of health and medicine. Over time, they began to use science and natural causes to

explain these happenings. During the Enlightenment, music was taken up as an area of study.

Scientists and researchers studied the physical and mental effects of music (“Music Therapy”).

The study of the relationship between music and mental health gained traction in the

early to mid-1900s. Specifically, the periods after World War I and World War II marked a

turning point in the movement. The reason for this being that musicians began traveling to

hospitals to play for veterans who had emotional trauma and physical injuries. As the musicians

continued to travel and play for the veterans, the doctors and physicians noticed that their

physical and mental states began to improve. . As a result, music therapy later emerged as a
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profession. Additionally, the professional and organized study of music's impact on mental

health was established as well ("History of Music Therapy").

Other than for entertainment purposes, incorporating music into one's life can help

manage and cope with mental health. There are many links between music and its impact on

mental health. For instance, music can help with self-expression, if talking about one's emotions

poses to be difficult. Listening to music can aid in understanding and reflecting upon how one

feels. Creating music as well helps in the processing and expression of emotions. Even if one is

not struggling with mental health, it can still be utilized as a wellbeing and wellness strategy in

their daily life (Reach Out Australia).

On a physiological scale, when one listens to music, it affects the way that one behaves,

thinks, and feels. This is a result of music triggering different thoughts, memories, and emotions

in a person's brain. As a result of this being a physiological and biological reaction, music will

affect individual people differently. However, benefits such as its ability to ease anxiety and

depression remain a recurring commonality. Subsequently, music therapy has been established as

a field of study and form of mental health treatment (“5 Positive Effects Music Has on Your

Mental Health”).

Music therapy is becoming increasingly utilized in the medical field as a treatment for

many issues, ranging from mental to physical. Music therapy and music, in general, can elicit a

reaction from sections of the brain that are having difficulty in responding. Even without major

concentration from the listener, emotional and analytical areas in the brain can be triggered and

activated. As Karen Weintraub states, "music can help rewire the brain". Due to there being only

around 5,000 music therapists in the United States and insurance issues, most are unable to

engage in music therapy for a long period of time. However, those that have used music for
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therapy and coping with mental health, believe that it is a good step that will eventually make a

big difference (Weintraub).

There are many methods involving music that can impact one's mental health. Lyric

analysis is a method that helps individuals process their emotions and thoughts. As each

individual has their own experiences, lyric analysis aids in the association of song lyrics that

correlate with said experiences. Songwriting is also a method that helps because it allows an

individual to reflect upon their emotions and thoughts. Most tend to resort to active music

listening as their chosen method. Active music listening employs the neocortex of the brain,

which controls perception and thought. As a result, this engagement aids in the management of

mental health issues, such as anxiety. The brain also subconsciously seeks music to match one's

mood (Warren). This can be beneficial in most cases, but there is a possibility that it can put one

in a cycle of negative feelings.

A study was done on the impact that musical engagement has on mental health. In the

study, musical engagement was defined as playing a musical instrument. This is still applicable

to the research question at hand because, as previously mentioned, creating music can impact

one's mental health. The results of the study suggested an overall trend in mental health issues

with those that engage in music compare to those that did not. However, the conclusion of the

study acknowledges that other factors contribute to mental health issues in an individual, such as

genetics. The study also acknowledges that even though the individuals were more prone to

mental health issues, the benefits of music engagement helped them recognize these feelings and

cope as well (Wesseldijk et al.).

Music has a generally positive impact on one's mental health. Physiologically, it triggers

reactions in the brain that affect the way that one thinks and feel. Generally, it comes with a
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variety of benefits that aid in the management of mental health. Additionally, music therapy

branched from evidence surrounding the benefit upon music's impact on mental health.

Although due mostly to the minimal amount of music therapists currently in existence, this is not

a widely available method. Despite this, it has proven that music opens avenues to managing,

regulating, and coping with mental health.

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Works Cited

“5 Positive Effects Music Has on Your Mental Health.” Open Minds, 13 Feb. 2020,

www.openminds.org.au/news/5-positive-effects-music-mental-health. Accessed 5 Mar.

2021.

History of Music Therapy.” American Music Therapy Association,

www.musictherapy.org/about/history/. Accessed 26 Mar. 2021.

Howland, Kathleen M.. "Music therapy". Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2017,

https://www.britannica.com/topic/music-therapy. Accessed 11 April 2021.

Reach Out Australia. “How to Use Music for Mental Health.” Reach Out,

au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-use-music-for-mental-health. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.

Warren, Molly. “The Impact of Music Therapy on Mental Health.” NAMI, 19 Dec. 2016,

www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2016/The-Impact-of-Music-Therapy-on-

Mental-Health. Accessed 5 Mar. 2021.

Weintraub, Karen. “Music Can Heal Mind, Body, Soul.” USA Today. EBSCOhost, 29 Nov.

2011, p. 12b.

Wesseldijk, Laura W., et al. “The Effects of Playing Music on Mental Health Outcomes.”

Scientific Reports, vol. 9, no. 1, Aug. 2019, p. N.PAG. EBSCOhost, Access no :

10.1038/s41598-019-49099-9.