Music’s impact on mental health is deeply rooted in its ability to connect with the brain on a neurological level. According to the National Library of Medicine, listening to music triggers the release of several chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, providing feelings of pleasure and reward. Whether it’s the steady rhythm of a favorite melody or the lyrics of a heartfelt song, music has a unique ability to influence our sad or happy moods or even trigger our memories.
“It is fair to say that, yes, there is music that can be used by students and anybody as a calming mechanism,” counselor John Paul Sousa said. “Different genres of music, whatever you may like, can certainly find a way to calm themselves down and help with outside distractions.”
Music has the ability to evoke memories, that are time tied to specific emotions or significant periods in our lives. According to Durham University, music draws attention and increases what will be encoded in memory together with details of life events.
“I was having a tough time during middle school, the transition back to school from COVID-19, and music played a big role in that time period,” sophomore Melody Namvar said. “I listened to artists that were popular at that time which helped me resonate to their lyrics on a deeper level making me overall happier. For example, songs like ‘Sofia’ by Clairo perfectly captured my emotions allowing me to feel understood and comforted.”
Besides its emotional and evocative nature, music also has an effect on focus and performance. Research from Science Direct shows that music can support studying while improving focus, but its effectiveness depends on personal preferences, genre, volume and tempo. For example, instrumental classical music or low beats can help students concentrate by creating a calm environment. However, loud or lyrical music, like heavy metal or fast paced pop, might be distracting for others, making it harder to retain information.
Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based practice that uses music to address emotional, cognitive and social needs. According to Cleveland Clinic, a health care provider talks to you to learn more about your needs, music preferences and experiences, and designs each session specifically for you and how the music affects your mental needs.
“There is music therapy, whether it’s listening to it or playing it, I know that is something that people do a lot,” school psychologist Christina Crawford said. “That’s their thing they go to, which helps them express emotions and it helps them to process emotions.”
