By Amanda Froelich
Feeling stressed out? Then maybe you should kick back and listen to this tune neuroscientists claim reduces stress by a striking 65 percent. The song, entitled “Weightless", was co-written by the sound therapists from the British Academy of Sound Therapy and the English musical trio Marconi Union. They blended a mix of harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines to slow down listeners’ heart rates, reduce blood pressure, and lower the stress hormone cortisol.
In a study, the song was proven to produce the greatest feelings of relaxation greater than any other music tested to date. Participants were given the task of solving difficult puzzles as quickly as possible while connected to sensors. As you might imagine, the challenge induced a certain level of stress. While the participants puzzled over the games, the researchers played different songs and measured brain activity. They also paid attention to physiological states, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and the rate of breathing.
Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson, who led the study, of Mindlab International concluded that “Weightless” produced a greater state of relaxation than any other music tested to date. As Inc reports, listening to the song reduced participants’ overall anxiety by a whopping 65 percent. Furthermore, symptoms of physiological distress were reduced by 35 percent.
Listen to “Weightless” in the video below:
Sound therapy is nothing new. For centuries, indigenous cultures have used music as a means of relaxing and restoring health. And in the United States, music therapy has been recognized as a treatment since the end of World War II. According to the Peterson Family Foundation, doctors and nurses recognized that music helped wounded soldiers cope with the physical and emotional trauma caused by war.
Studies now show that music therapy aids in helping the body recover more quickly and reduce the pain a patient feels. This is because music affects emotions, thus causing the brain to release neurotransmitters. For instance, when endorphins are released while listening to uplifting music, the chemicals reduce pain in the body and speed healing.
There is already a plethora of science on the benefits of music therapy. We recommend you look into more research if the song "Weightless" made you feel more at peace. What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
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