Metalheads continue to face many misconceptions despite the music they love being proven not harmful for both their mental and physical wellbeing. Doctors once believed headbanging to Motorhead or similar metal bands would result in brain damage; and mental health facilities have even used images of metalheads as diagnostic criteria when screening potential patients.
Brain damage
Heavy metal music often has a reputation of making fans angry and violent, yet recent studies conducted at Macquarie University in Australia suggest otherwise. Their self-report results were published in 2019 alongside their findings that contradict earlier research that linked heavy metal to increased suicide risk or desensitization to violence; though these authors note their study limitations before drawing any definitive conclusions from it.
The methodology of this study is controversial and its results have drawn much scrutiny online. One issue involved how researchers compared groups and analyzed data. Still, its results indicate that music can impact mood in various ways; choosing an ideal genre may depend on who you ask or on personal choice.
Metal music may seem harsh and loud at first listen, yet many fans find its positive effects to be quite relaxing and grounding. One factor may be its social aspect – such as creating an opportunity to feel part of a community who share an appreciation of metal. This connection has proven especially powerful for individuals feeling isolated or alone who listen regularly.
Heavy metal music has also been shown to have a profound effect on both mood and cognition, according to studies conducted. People who prefer this genre tend to show greater capacity for logical reasoning and scientific thought than those who don’t listen to heavy metal.
Although headbanging can pose some risks, this practice remains relatively uncommon. Doctors have only ever observed three instances of subdural haematomas – brainbleeding caused by headbanging – caused by this activity. While its precise cause remains unknown, long-term headbanging or injuries sustained at concerts may also contribute to these subdural haematomas. Furthermore, headbanging music may contribute to depression and anxiety but more research needs to be conducted into this possibility.
Irritation
Metal music lyrics often depict acts of aggression and violence, leading some studies to link its lyrics with anger, aggressive cognitions, and even aggressive/antisocial behaviors. While metal music may cause feelings of hostility or irritation that lead to loss of control over oneself, aggression refers to intentional acts with hostile intent that take deliberate actions that involve physical violence against others.
Although some individuals have reported adverse side-effects from listening to heavy metal music, others have found it soothing and even beneficial for enhancing focus when working. One study with over 90,000 developers (coding professionals) concluded that metal was their preferred genre when it came to helping them focus more efficiently while working.
According to other research, metal listeners tend to experience lower levels of psychological distress than non-fans due to using music to manage their emotions and unique experiences more freely. Furthermore, these listeners have more negative attitudes toward institutional authority while experiencing equal levels of anxiety as non-listeners.
Some studies have linked metal music with internalising disorders such as anxiety and depression; however, these associations were established through studies comparing fans and non-fans of metal rather than studying its effect directly. Furthermore, results may also vary based on gender and personality factors; adolescents with lower empathy scores tend to experience greater negative outcomes from listening to metal compared to those with high empathy scores.
Even with its reputation, metal music provides many fans an outlet to vent pent-up emotions and build relationships within their community. Unfortunately, however, these feelings of belonging won’t last – they’re only temporary!
Overall, metal has many positive attributes that should not be ignored and no reason should exist to stop listening to it. Listening can help relieve stress while providing hours of entertainment – the key is finding a genre that speaks to you so that you can enjoy listening to it!
Concentration
Heavy metal music can be an excellent way to aid concentration. Listening to heavy metal music while studying can help students to focus more intently, keeping awake during exams, and staying on task for exams. But students have also reported it being distracting while they attempt to study, so finding a balance between listening to music and staying focused is important.
Researchers have raised concerns that some metal songs feature lyrics depicting violence and aggression, raising concerns that prolonged exposure could increase risk for externalising and internalising behaviors in both community and psychiatric populations. Studies involving correlational evidence rather than causal linkage do not establish cause-effect relationships as effectively.
Studies have revealed that people who listen to heavy metal music are more prone to anxiety than non-listeners, as well as more likely to experience negative mood states like depression and mania. This may be caused by metal’s ability to generate feelings of agitation and arousal that cause a stronger physiological reaction than other genres of music.
Long-term exposure to loud metal music may result in hearing issues. Furthermore, loud metal can disturb sleep patterns and cause ringing in the ears; these effects usually subside quickly though they could increase stress and anxiety when in noisy environments; it’s best to try to avoid such environments if possible.
As fans of metal music tend to be more open to new experiences and possess lower self-esteem levels and an appreciation of uniqueness, as well as higher negative affect and impulsivity levels, and tend to exhibit greater disregard for authority than non-fans, this combination can lead to drug abuse and violence – further research should be conducted into whether these differences are caused by listening habits alone or other factors.
Memory
Although metal music may often be associated with violence, it can have an uplifting impact on students’ memory. The beats can help stimulate one’s brain while the music also improves cognitive functions and spatial rotation; both benefits that could prove invaluable when studying in noisy environments.
Metal music can also help students improve their academic performance. Studies have demonstrated that listening to metal can increase the speed of information processing and decision-making as well as help individuals remember information more easily.
Keep this in mind: metal music does not cause aggression among its fans; rather, it serves as an outlet for negative feelings and studies have revealed that long-time metal fans tend to be happier as middle aged individuals than non-fans.
Metal can help students connect to an engaged community of fans – an excellent source of comfort when feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Furthermore, its music may help reduce blood pressure and thus anxiety levels – something especially helpful for students taking an exam or undertaking challenging courses.
Heavy metal music often includes lyrics depicting acts of aggression, violence and misogyny in its lyrical themes, leading some researchers to ask whether listening can cause aggression among listeners. But it is important to recognize that anger and aggression are distinct feelings and behaviors. While anger may lead to aggression against another individual, the latter is defined as hostile or aggressive actions against another. Anger can also serve as an effective self-regulation mechanism.
Many people mistakenly believe that metal music can damage your brain. Although headbanging may damage the skull, its effects aren’t as severe as other types of music due to not occurring suddenly and dramatically; furthermore, its extent can be difficult to determine. Furthermore, headbanging has also been shown to increase cortisol levels which in turn causes stress levels to spike rapidly – therefore finding an equilibrium between headbanging and other forms of music should be prioritized for optimal mental wellbeing.