How Music Affects Mental Health: The Healing Power of Sound

Lisa Dewberry
May 1, 2025
5 min read

Updated: Sep 30, 2025

Woman in cream sweater with earbuds, touching her ear, in a cozy room with plants. Soft lighting, calm expression. — Music is more than entertainment—it’s a powerful mental health tool that can elevate mood, reduce stress, and provide emotional release when words fall short. PHOTO: Antoni Shkraba Studio

Music has an incredible ability to shape our emotions, thoughts, and overall well-being. From lifting our spirits on a difficult day to providing comfort during times of stress, the healing power of sound is something we’ve all experienced in one form or another. But beyond its emotional influence, music has been scientifically proven to play a significant role in mental health. It can calm the mind, reduce stress, and even improve cognitive function. Let’s explore how music can impact mental health and why it’s important to incorporate it into our daily lives.

The Connection Between Music and Mental Health

Music has long been celebrated for its ability to uplift spirits, evoke memories, and soothe the soul. But what exactly happens in the brain when we listen to music?

Listening to music activates several areas of the brain, including those involved in emotion, memory, and attention. It also triggers the release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This chemical reaction boosts mood and promotes feelings of happiness, making music a valuable tool for people coping with depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders.

According to studies, individuals with mood disorders often respond positively to music as it helps them process emotions they might struggle to express otherwise. This is why music therapy has become increasingly recognized as a beneficial supplement to traditional forms of mental health treatment.

Woman in a peach dress poses with a black violin and bow against a peach background. She wears wedge heels. The mood is elegant. — Music therapy has become increasingly recognized as a beneficial supplement to traditional forms of mental health treatment. PHOTO: Toni Cuenca

Stress Reduction and Relaxation

One of the most immediate benefits of listening to music is its ability to reduce stress. Slow, calming music has been shown to lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and decrease levels of cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone. This calming response is linked to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body enter a relaxed state.

Research published in the Journal of Music Therapy showed that patients undergoing music therapy reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and stress. In clinical settings, calming music is used to ease surgical anxiety, aid recovery, and even manage pain.

In everyday life, many people turn to music for relaxation—through guided meditation, instrumental playlists, or simply by listening to a favorite song. Even specific tracks, like “Weightless” by Marconi Union, have been shown to reduce anxiety by up to 65% due to their unique tempo and frequencies.

Music as a Mood Enhancer

Music doesn’t just reduce stress—it also enhances mood. Uplifting music can energize, motivate, and improve emotional resilience, while slower melodies may comfort and soothe during moments of sadness. In cases of depression, music can offer emotional release and promote a greater sense of connection.

By engaging with lyrics or melodies that mirror personal experiences, listeners can experience catharsis—an emotional release that helps them process difficult feelings. Music becomes a non-verbal language that speaks directly to the emotional centers of the brain, encouraging introspection, healing, and emotional regulation.

Curly-haired person in a purple sweater lounges on a chair, wearing orange headphones, holding a phone. Indoor, plants and books nearby. Relaxed mood. — Active listening—fully tuning into the lyrics, instruments, and rhythm—can help you process emotions, reflect, and find mental clarity. PHOTO: Karolina Grabowska

Cognitive Benefits of Music

Beyond emotional effects, music offers measurable cognitive benefits. Studies have found that listening to music can improve memory, attention, and creativity. In learning environments, background music with consistent rhythm has been shown to enhance concentration and recall, particularly in subjects like language and math.

Music can also serve as a valuable tool for people with conditions such as ADHD or PTSD. In these cases, structured musical patterns may provide a sense of order and grounding, helping individuals maintain focus and emotional stability.

Moreover, research from InsideTracker highlights that music can enhance performance by improving sleep quality, reducing pre-competition anxiety, and boosting motivation—factors crucial to both mental and physical well-being.

Active vs. Passive Listening

There’s a difference between simply having music on in the background and actively engaging with it. Passive listening can set a general mood, but active listening—where one consciously focuses on the melody, lyrics, and instruments—has deeper psychological effects.

Through active listening, individuals can use music as a tool for mindfulness, reflection, and meditation. This type of listening encourages emotional exploration and can be particularly beneficial during journaling, breathwork, or therapeutic sessions.

Classical guitar with a natural wood finish hangs on a peach-colored wall, creating a warm, serene atmosphere. — Sound therapy practices like binaural beats and healing frequencies are gaining popularity for their ability to reduce anxiety and support emotional balance. PHOTO: Philip Boakye

Sound Therapy: A Modern Take on Ancient Healing

Sound therapy, also known as sound healing, involves using specific frequencies, rhythms, and tones to promote physical and emotional health. Though rooted in ancient practices, it has gained traction in modern wellness communities.

Therapies like sound baths, tuning fork healing, and binaural beats are now used to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, and chronic pain. One study found that listening to music at a frequency of 528 Hz was associated with reduced cortisol levels and increased oxytocin—known as the “bonding hormone.”

As part of a broader approach to mental health, sound therapy offers a non-invasive, enjoyable method to achieve inner balance and peace.

Practical Ways to Incorporate Music into Daily Life

The beauty of music is its accessibility. Whether you’re at home, at work, or commuting, incorporating music into your daily routine can help manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve focus. Here are a few ideas:

🎶 Create curated playlists for different moods or activities—whether for relaxation, energy, focus, or reflection.
🧘 Pair music with meditation or mindfulness practice to deepen emotional awareness.
🎧 Practice active listening by setting aside time to fully engage with a favorite song or new genre.
📲 Use music to structure your day—for example, start your morning with upbeat music and wind down in the evening with calming instrumentals.
🤝 Share music with friends to create social connections and explore new emotional landscapes together.
💤 Try sound therapy techniques, such as binaural beats or sound baths, especially before bedtime to aid relaxation and improve sleep quality.

Embrace the Healing Power of Sound

Music is more than entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for mental, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Whether you’re using it to calm your nerves, motivate your morning, or process emotional challenges, music can offer both healing and connection.

You don’t need to be a musician or expert to benefit from it. All it takes is a willingness to listen—and perhaps, to feel.

Take Action Today 🎧

Start by creating a playlist that reflects how you want to feel. Practice active listening. Try a sound bath. Let music become a vital part of your self-care routine.

How has music helped you in your life?Have you tried using music intentionally to support your mental health? We’d love to hear your experience—drop a comment or share your favorite mood-boosting song!

📚 Sources