The Power of Music

In my professional life, I am always searching for the ways people can cope with stress and other overwhelmingly negative emotions. There has been much research, of late, about the "inflammatory process" that appears to drive emotional distress. Just as with pain or illness, inflammation compounds negative emotional states. Ibuprofen has shown some promise for people with anxiety and depression. There are some problems with this, as Ibuprofen cannot be taken too often or in large doses because it destroys stomach lining. Acetaminophen has also shown to provide relief for both physical and emotional pain. It too, has its drawbacks, because of its toxicity in the liver. Psychotropic medications can be useful and lifesaving, but not everyone can take them and there is much concern about the safety of children using these medications. 

Therefore, it becomes necessary to find other ways to temper negative emotions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is quite useful, as is various mindfulness and relaxation techniques. If the connection between pain and inflammation and emotions is correct, I am guessing this new research on pain reduction continues to validate the effects of music on emotions.

“Conscious perception is largely based on these top-down processes: your brain continuously compares the information that comes in through your eyes with what it expects on the basis of what you know about the world. The final result of this comparison process is what we eventually experience as reality. Our research results suggest that the brain builds up expectations not just on the basis of experience but on your mood as well.’”

The right lyrics combined with the right melody can be a useful emotional balm. Time to make a playlist of songs that celebrate what is good and right, songs that sing redemption and hope.