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Publication: The Equinox, Keene State College, Keene NH.
Music can be invigorating, tantalizing, relaxing or even therapeutic. Studies show that music can help reduce pain and overcome fatigue, according to Darlene Oakley’s article on EmpowHER. In addition, PsychCentral reports music can also help combat stress, depression, emotional difficulties and anxiety.
In an interview with the American Psychological Association, neuropsychologist Daniel Levitin said, “Lots of things that we do affect our physiology...And we’ve seen evidence now that music can alter brain chemistry and even the production of cytokines, immunoglobulin A and other components of a healthy immune system.”
Each of these “components” has a specific job in the body.
Cytokines assists in the communication between immune system cells. When there are many pro-inflammatory cytokines present in the body, the individual faces flu-like symptoms. PsychologyToday said those with depression also see a higher level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an antibody, according to MedicineNet. One study found in The European Journal of Psychiatry compared exam stress to the levels of salivary IgA in medical students. They found that “Salivary IgA is reduced in response to exam stress.”
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Theories relating to music’s effect on the body are new, but “the evidence for the beneficial effects of music on reward, motivation, pleasure, stress, arousal, immunity and social affiliation is mounting,” according to Mona Lisa Chanda and Levitin’s feature review titled “The neurochemistry of music,” found on daniellevitin.com.
“We consider the evidence to be promising, yet preliminary, due to numerous confounds and limitations of many studies performed to date,” they said.
KSC psychology professor Dr. Larry Welkowitz is also trying to understand the relationship between the...