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Music has been integral to our lives. Not all types of music have favourable effects, for example, if it is too loud or noisy or it distracts us from our work. However, in general, surprising benefits for health of music exposure have been discovered.

Overall, music has beneficial effects in pain relief. Listening to music can reduce sensation caused by chronic pain by up to 21% and depression by 25%. Music therapy, therefore, has been applied together with medication to reduce pain during childbirth and surgeries.

Research also shows that music also modifies heartbeat and blood pressure within a positive range. The heart beats faster as we listen to lively music and when the music slows, so do our heart and breath rate. In another study, old people suffering from high blood pressure reported significantly lower blood pressure as a result of listening to calm music after 30 minutes.

Apart from all those benefits, other effects are related to better sleep, strengthened memory and better general health. Most researchers conclude that our preference of music doesn’t play the main role, but the tempo and the theme of the music we are exposed to are the most important factors that affect the remedy results.

What are the most important elements in music therapy?