Music as Medicine- A Cathartic Experience of Sound
Amidst the strange and unpredictable chaos that has swept society into phases of isolation, education, revolution and community- one thing has been and always will be right behind the curtains of change. Music, an eruption of expression and connection- creates a sweet and understanding space for emotional release and processing of intense feeling. The concept of catharsis is defined as “the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.” When it comes to “musical catharsis”, we are examining the concept of using music as a tool to process emotion. Oftentimes we utilize this tool subconsciously by turning on a song that we love when we get in the car, feeling elated or sad listening to a track that reminds us of an old friend, or putting on specific music to workout. Music fills empty space in a way that translates our inner worlds into a shareable experience.
Have you ever found a track or an artist that resonated so powerfully within you, that you’ve felt it deep in your bones? A song that’s lyrics seem like a direct reference to the events occuring in your life? Or perhaps you’ve listened to an orchestra and when one particular violinist begins playing, a swelling of indescribable potent emotion wells up in your chest. It turns out that there is a definitive link between music and empathy. In fact, for around 20 percent of the population, music can literally feel like a friend, according to a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. The study showed that subjects who listened to their favorite song experienced activity in the dorsal striatum, which is part of the brain's "reward" system and translates feelings of pleasure. Additionally, the parts of the brain associated with "social circuitry" (or interactions with those we love) lit up. For those empathetic enough, music has the power to take on the role of a companion.
So how does this companion help us to heal and process? People tend to listen to music that reflects how they feel in the moment. Sad music can help listeners to process sadness, loneliness, loss, and more. Upbeat music is a powerful tool for elevating a mood or celebrating. Sometimes processing memories through an outside agent can make them more accessible and less painfully personal. It can be hard to find the right words to describe our complex inner worlds. Throughout history we have always turned to the poets of society to give context to the invisible experiences of loneliness, love, loss, infatuation, and more. A 2014 study on music and emotion detailed the following when researchers conducted a study of 772 participants.
“…The experience of listening to sad music usually offers multiple rewards to listeners. Sad music enabled respondents to regulate their emotions in a productive manner. By processing, rather than ignoring, sadness through music, listeners could achieve catharsis and improvements in mood. Respondents especially appreciated that they could engage in musical sadness without the typical consequences that would ensue from real-life sadness — a crucial factor in explaining the effectiveness of sad music in emotional regulation…”
The powerful cathartic effects of music can happen on a personal level with individual music taste, as well as on a collective level. In fact, the average Westerner is exposed to music for a minimum of 16% of their waking lives. With this level of exposure, music has the potential to take on greater meaning to the masses and become anthemic- a shared experience of seasons, revolutions, war, and pop culture movements. History allows us to examine the events that have happened in the past, but music allows us to understand the humanity and emotion that gave history it’s flavor. Through expression of the inner world and processing of its effects on the psyche, music is an authentic and powerful translator between worlds.
Take a look at your favorite Spotify playlist and ask yourself what you might be processing through your recent music choices- you probably won’t be surprised to see a parallel. Happy healing- 🙂
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