Music can bring people together in ways no other form can. But for some individuals it can also cause mental health issues.
Studies linking music with problem behaviors among adolescents are plentiful; however, longitudinal research on specific rock fan groups is scarce. This research explores these rock fan subgroups from early adolescence through adulthood to examine drug use patterns, depressive symptoms, and aggression over time.
1. It releases dopamine and serotonin
Listening to music, especially rock music, has been shown to stimulate serotonin and dopamine production in the brain and help reduce feelings of depression, anxiety and stress while increasing self-esteem and happiness. Music may also reduce cortisol levels – the stress hormone. At one study, volunteers were asked to rate their mood before and after listening to music in one session with music they enjoyed while another session involved neutral music. Next they underwent both PET and fMRI scans in order to see what was going on inside their brains. The results showed that when they listened to music they enjoyed, certain areas of their brain associated with pleasure were activated while areas related to self-control also lit up; when listening to neutral music these areas dimmed.
FMRI scans revealed similar findings, revealing that the more enjoyable music was to participants, the greater was activation of reward centers of their brain. These are similar areas to what provide us with feelings of pleasure when eating, drinking or engaging in sexual relations; researchers believe these are due to dopamine and serotonin release from within us all.
Music can bring people together in ways no other art form can, particularly at live concerts where fans can meet others who share their love of music. Music transcends age, culture, language and race barriers; uniting individuals who would not otherwise meet. This helps ease feelings of isolation when living with mental illness that often remains stigmatised.
Although many of the benefits of music are well-established, research into its effects remains ongoing. One such recent study discovered that listeners of non-mainstream rock genres (such as heavy metal and goth) were more likely to report problems with schoolwork and relationships compared with listeners of light or eclectic music – these findings confirm previous studies which link music preferences with problematic behavior.
2. It’s uplifting
Rock songs have the ability to brighten our day with their catchy melodies and positive lyrics, giving us confidence to chase after our dreams and live life our own way, regardless of what other people think of us. No wonder this genre of music is so beloved among adolescents and young adults!
Rock music’s fast and loud beats stimulate the brain, stimulating it into producing dopamine – a neurotransmitter which regulates mood and motivation – which can increase energy and performance during workouts or other intense activities. Furthermore, alternative rock songs’ positive messages and uplifting lyrics may provide relief from depression or anxiety.
As mental health awareness becomes ever more widespread, it’s essential that everyone acknowledges that everyone struggles in their own unique ways. Many musicians and music fans have shared their personal experiences with mental illness; some even went as far as taking their own lives – this phenomenon being particularly prominent within metal and punk bands due to long histories of suicides in these genres (think Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Keith Flint and Kurt Cobain as examples).
According to a study published in “Can Music Make You Sick?” journal, 71% of musicians polled reported experiencing anxiety or depression – an astounding figure considering many artists struggle with mental health issues in general.
No matter your mental health status, music can be an immense source of comfort. It can help break you out of your shell and connect with people more freely than before if suffering from social anxiety; music also creates a community of like-minded individuals which provides you with a sense of belonging.
No matter your musical taste – from heavy metal to pop – music has the ability to bring positive feelings and enhance mental wellbeing. So don’t hesitate to break out your favorite playlist and see how it affects your emotions and wellbeing. Just choose songs you can relate to that you truly enjoy listening to – this way you’ll create your own source of positivity!
3. It helps you connect with others
Music brings people of different backgrounds and cultures together, and rock music in particular is known to do just this. With its loud beats and upbeat lyrics, its musical forms can provide the energy you need to face new challenges while rock also allows us to express ourselves freely through various expressive means that provide an outlet for our emotions.
Rock songs typically focus on topics like love, anger and personal struggles – all topics which many can identify with. Connecting deeply with these emotions creates a deeper bond between listener and music, plus most rock bands write their own material which means their tunes are unique and expressive – qualities many fans greatly value.
Rock music can help combat depression by alleviating negative emotions and helping reduce cortisol levels – the natural stress hormone. Furthermore, listening to rock music or attending metal concerts may provide you with a community who share your love of this genre and make you feel accepted within a group setting – an integral component of mental wellbeing.
Many metal fans claim that rock music can be therapeutic by helping them to release their feelings in an emotionally safe space. Listening to rock can also stimulate your brain and aid clearer thinking – this may be especially helpful for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Furthermore, rock can increase energy levels and boost motivation – making it an excellent way to increase productivity.
4. It helps you feel less alone
Attending concerts of rock music can provide an environment of inclusion, transcending age, culture and language barriers while offering a safe space to express oneself freely. Furthermore, music provides an easy way to meet like-minded individuals, making forming new social groups much simpler. A recent experiment conducted at University of California San Diego discovered that listening to hard rock music significantly reduces depression symptoms among female inpatients who had experienced depression; those exposed to hard rock versus pop music for 14 sessions showed significant decreases while control group patients experienced no such decreases.
However, music does not always promote mental wellbeing in a positive manner. Some studies have indicated that listening to aggressive music may increase aggression, delinquency and problem behaviors among adolescent males who listened to heavy metal music over time than those who didn’t; heavy metal-loving teens reported more externalizing behaviors over time than non-listeners; this suggested negative lyrical themes in metal could activate antisocial schemas leading to co-rumination resulting in problems like aggression and depression (Weidinger & Demi, 1991).
But it is essential to remember that not all rock musicians are bad actors. Indeed, many have openly spoken out about their mental health struggles and encouraged others to seek treatment. Unfortunately, despite an increased awareness of PKM and its benefits for musicians it remains hard for many of them to access care as many fear that medication might dampen creativity or lack access to affordable healthcare.
At this point, it’s crucial that you find an experienced therapist and develop a treatment plan together. A good therapist can show you how to utilize music therapy effectively as an effective therapeutic tool and develop techniques for managing its effects, while deep or active listening (focusing on music while being attentive to emotions, memories and bodily sensations) may also prove valuable.