When dealing with health conditions, we often forget about simple remedies like listening to music, a powerful tool for supporting mental health. When listening to music, we often experience an emotional response. Upbeat melodies and lyrics improve our mood, decrease stress, and may even reduce problems with mental health. When chosen correctly, the right music can serve as a soothing therapy for people with neurological conditions.

But music has its downsides, depending on the songs you choose and the memories they’re associated with. Certain songs may trigger unwanted reactions, including anxiety, sadness, and fear.

An elderly man playing the violin for a woman in a wheelchair, illustrating the therapeutic benefits of music for mental illness and emotional well-being.

Though music may benefit everyone, some types are especially therapeutic for those with neurological conditions. It affects cognition, behavior, socialization, and even motor skills. These advantages won’t cure the disease, but the symptoms may become more manageable. Of course, choosing the best music and knowing the possible risks are crucial before beginning, which we’ll discuss below.

Music as Therapy for Mental Problems

Trained professionals use music therapy to treat various conditions, including dementia, Parkinson’s, pain, anxiety, and mood disorders. Customized sessions feature listening, singing, playing music, or discussing the lyrics. It’s often effective since music benefits physical, mental, social, emotional, and cognitive functions.

Improves mood and reduces anxiety

Music is often used to create a specific mood. You may choose upbeat tunes while cleaning, scary music on Halloween, or romantic songs for a special couple’s night. But music doesn’t just set a mood; it alters the mood you’re already in.

Recent studies showed the effects of the iso principle on those with mental problems. This treatment uses music matching the current mood, then switches it to songs depicting the desired mood. Studies showed positive results, increasing happiness and lowering anxiety in the subjects.

Improves memory

Music can improve memory by activating multiple brain regions, including those linked to emotion, cognition, and recall. Familiar tunes stimulate neural connections, helping individuals retrieve memories associated with those songs. 

Improved cognitive function

Experts believe background music benefits several cognitive functions. These include episodic memory, math skills, and visual processing speeds. Even reading comprehension, language learning, and verbal skills have been shown to improve when listening to tunes.

These studies also show music improves cognitive function when compared with white noise or silence. Music stimulates the limbic system, which controls emotions and memory. Even those with mental problems, such as Alzheimer’s, show cognitive improvements from music.

Disadvantages of music for neurological conditions

Some types of music should be avoided as they may do more harm than good. Though music has beneficial qualities, it isn’t helpful in every situation. For instance, those with neurological conditions often experience negative emotions like sadness and depression. Certain tunes or lyrics could exacerbate these conditions.

Overstimulation anxiety

Overstimulation occurs when the brain struggles to process too much information. The body undergoes a stress response, releasing cortisol and adrenaline and decreasing focus. The result is anxiety, irritability, and concentration problems.

Music is one of several triggers for overstimulation anxiety and other problems with mental health. Songs played at high volumes with chaotic instruments or angry lyrics could instigate these reactions. Listening to such tunes played in crowded areas with bright, flashing lights may worsen the response.

Sad memories

Listening to music triggers the release of hormones and neurotransmitters, eliciting an emotional response. Unfortunately, you may not have a positive reaction to some songs.

For instance, you may hear a song during a sad or traumatic time in your life. Hearing that song later may cause you to recall that experience. The distressing emotional response to the music could risk worsening mental health problems.

Resources:

  1. Cleveland Clinic, Music Therapy
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8817-music-therapy
  2. PubMed Central, Nov. 26, 2021, Emotion Modulation though Music after Sadness Induction – The Iso Principle in a Controlled Experimental Study
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8656869/#:~:text=The%20iso%20principle%20suggests%20that,a%20desired%20perspective%20and%20experience
  3. PubMed Central, Oct. 15, 2014, The cognitive effects of listening to background music on older adults: processing speed improves with upbeat music, while memory seems to benefit from both upbeat and downbeat music
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4197792/
  4. Providence, Jan. 21, 2025, Overstimulation and anxiety: Causes and solutions
    https://blog.providence.org/blog/overstimulation-and-anxiety-causes-and-solutions
  5. NCCIH, Music and Health: What You Need to Know
    https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/music-and-health-what-you-need-to-know
  6. Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center: The Powerful Benefits of Music on Memory Loss Thursday, February 11, 2021
    https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/dementia-matters/powerful-benefits-music-memory-loss
This content comprises informative and educational resources only and can not be considered as a substitute for professional health or medical guidance. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk. If you have any inquiries or apprehensions about your medical condition or health goals, talk with a licensed physician or healthcare provider.