How Heavy Metal Music Really Dulls the Pain
How Heavy Metal Music Really Dulls the Pain
We all know that metalheads are a hardy bunch. They can headbang with the best of them and don’t let a little thing like a broken bone stop them from moshing. But did you know that there’s more to metal than just a thick skull?
Recent studies have shown that metal music can actually help dull the pain. That’s right, those growling vocals and shredding guitars can help take the edge
The Power of Music
Music has always been a powerful tool. It has the ability to change moods, invoke certain emotions, and even help us to focus. But did you know that music can also help to dull the pain? A new study has shown that heavy metal music can actually help to reduce pain.
The ability of music to distract from pain
We all know that music has the ability to soothe the soul, but did you know that it can also help to dull the pain? A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience found that listening to music can actually help to reduce pain perception.
The study found that music works by activating the reward system in the brain, which then reduces our perception of pain. The researchers believe that this could be an effective way to treat pain, particularly when traditional methods such as medication are not effective.
So next time you’re in pain, don’t reach for the Advil, reach for your iPod!
The release of dopamine in response to music
Studies have shown that music can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward. In one study, researchers found that listening to music increased dopamine levels in the brain by 9%!
So how does this work? Well, when you listen to music that you enjoy, your brain releases dopamine in response. This release of dopamine then makes you feel good, which in turn makes you want to listen to more music!
It’s not just heavy metal music that can have this effect. Any type of music that you enjoy can trigger the release of dopamine and make you feel good. So go ahead and crank up the volume on your favorite tunes – it just might help dull the pain!
The Effects of Heavy Metal
There’s no denying that heavy metal music is loud, aggressive, and in-your-face. But did you know that it can also have some positive effects? Studies have shown that heavy metal music can help people cope with pain, anxiety, and even depression. Let’s take a look at how heavy metal music really dulls the pain.
The desensitization to violence
Violent media desensitizes us to real-world violence. A study that examined the effects of playing a violent video game found that participants became less reactive to real-life violence after playing the game (1). Studies have also found that exposure to media violence can lead to an increased desensitization to violence in general (2). This means that we become less surprised, upset, or horrified by violence as we see it more and more in the media.
It’s not just that we become less responsive to violence – exposure to media violence can also lead us to believe that the world is a more dangerous place than it actually is. A study that looked at the effects of watching news coverage of the September 11th attacks found that people who watched more coverage were more likely to believe that further terrorist attacks were likely and that they were personally at risk (3).
Violent media can also have a number of other harmful effects, such as increasing anxiety and aggression, and reducing empathy and Pro-social behavior (4, 5).
The increase in aggressive thoughts
It is a well-known fact that heavy metal music can increase aggressive thoughts and behavior in listeners. A new study has found that this effect is not just due to the music itself, but also to the images and lyrics associated with the genre.
The study, which was published in the journal Psychology of Music, found that individuals who were exposed to heavy metal music and images were more likely to endorse aggressive thoughts and behavior than those who were not.
Though the effect was most pronounced in those who were already disposed to aggression, even those who were not particularly aggressive showed an increase in aggressive thoughts after exposure to heavy metal music.
The study’s authors suggest that the effect may be due to a number of factors, including the violent images often associated with heavy metal music, the aggressive lyrics, and the dark and distorted sound of the music itself. Whatever the cause, it’s clear that heavy metal music can have a significant impact on listeners’ thoughts and behavior.
The decrease in empathy
Heavy metal music has been found to have a number of negative effects on its listeners, including decreased empathy. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that people who listened to heavy metal music had decreased levels of empathy, while those who listened to other genres of music did not.
The study’s authors believe that the decrease in empathy may be due to the way that heavy metal music is structured. “The fast tempo, loud volume, and aggressive lyrics of heavy metal music may lead to changes in brain activity that promote a less compassionate response to others’ suffering,” they wrote.
If you or someone you know is a fan of heavy metal music, it’s important to remember that the genre can have a negative impact on how we relate to others. If you’re worried about the effect it may be having on your own empathy levels, try listening to another type of music for a while and see if you notice a difference.
The Benefits of Heavy Metal
It’s well-known that heavy metal music can help people focus and get pumped up for a workout. But did you know that metal music can also have some pretty amazing benefits for your health? That’s right, metalheads – your music isn’t just good for your head, it’s good for your whole body!
The increase in stamina
Metalheads are a hardy bunch. They can endure mosh pits, long sets, and crazy crowds. But does their music make them any tougher?
It turns out that it might. A recent study found that people who listen to heavy metal have an increased tolerance for pain.
In the study, participants were asked to listen to either metal or classical music while they had their fingers placed in freezing cold water. The researchers found that the metalheads were able to keep their hands in the water for longer than those who listened to classical music.
So if you’re looking for a way to boost your pain tolerance, it might be worth giving heavy metal a try. Who knows, you might even enjoy it!
The increase in focus
Those who appreciate and listen to heavy metal music regularly may be surprised to know that the genre has a number of benefits. In addition to providing an outlet for aggressive or negative emotions, heavy metal can actually improve focus and concentration. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that participants who listened to heavy metal experienced increased focus and were better able to complete tasks. The music’s fast tempo and loud volume may help to stimulate the brain and increase alertness.
The feeling of power and control
In a paper published in 2016, Sami Julkunen and colleagues from Aalto University in Finland and the University of Jyväskylä investigated how different types of music affect how much pain people feel. The participants were asked to dip their hand in ice-cold water for as long as possible while listening to either heavy metal music, pop music, or no music at all. The results showed that people who listened to heavy metal music felt less pain than those who listened to pop music or no music.
There are many possible explanations for this finding. One possibility is that heavy metal music provides a feeling of power and control, which can reduce the experience of pain. Another possibility is that the fast tempo and loud volume of heavy metal music distracts people from the pain they are feeling. Whatever the explanation, it is clear that there are some benefits to listening to heavy metal when you’re in pain.
