There Is Nothing: Or Is There?
You wake up, unfortunately. You forlornly awaken to the deafening hubbub of nothingness, grim clouds looming over your head and engulfing the empty room. You wake up to emptiness. The same dull day is about to kick off, and you find yourself in the same madding spiral of repetitions, like an old, crackling vinyl.
Fleeting thoughts wriggle and squirm, begging to be let out; they want to leave you alone. There is nothing. Actually, there is everything, but it just doesn’t feel like it. You might find yourself in such a dire state, or simply stressed, anxious, hounded by panic attacks. So what’s there to do? A quick trip to a therapist might be the optimal solution. And yet, you pick up your wireless earbuds and pump up some good old Mac Miller (may his soul rest in peace); "good news, good news, good news, is all I wanna hear" resounding in your ears. You feel a soothing sense of calm in those mellow beats. You feel—better. Not good, but better.
A frame from Mac Miller’s “Good News” music video via YouTube
It is no secret that melodic sound waves are positively interconnected with those grappling with mental health issues. However, only recently has thorough scientific research begun to uncover the true benefits of integrating music therapy with classic CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and psychotherapy. Being directly exposed to music affects the way synapses in the brain communicate, increasing the release of specific neurotransmitters associated with mood, anxiety, pleasure, and social bonding, such as serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. While standard therapy often includes drugs that specifically target those same neurotransmitters, such as SRNIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors—there’s a reason why acronyms are so popular), research-backed music has started to be an active and valuable contributor to standard treatments.
Moreover, certain music genres and specific songs can act on a psychosomatic level, possessing the ability to lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and decrease cortisol levels, subsequently leading to a reduction in anxiety. So, in a way, listening to vibey tunes is kinda like being administered a few tabs of Sertraline or Fluoxetine (again with the SRNIs gibberish here). However, this is in no way a medical recommendation to replace prescription drugs with good jams; consult your closest therapist regarding your treatment options. Speaking of therapy, have you ever felt like you’re bottling up emotion upon emotion, piling them up into an intimidating heap of pent-up chaos, unable to express yourself? Of course, you have. Well, the right music and relatable lyrics can tremendously help individuals process and articulate those emotions, lifting a significant weight off their minds, at least for a while. We witness the creation of a tangible safe space where individuals can rekindle the dim spark of their withering selves, feeling like they’re not alone in their struggles, knowing that others face similar issues, and that it might all be ok someday. Hope is the herald of healing.
A question that has probably been festering on many readers’ tongues is probably: “What music do I have to crank up on Spotify then? ‘Cause I ain’t been feeling that marvelously lately.” Well, it depends. Different genres possess distinct musical attributes that subsequently produce different effects on the body and mind. Upbeat songs tend to be uplifting and motivational, temporarily distracting from negative thoughts and bouts of anxiety. In contrast, slow, calm, and soft melodies have a soothing effect, promoting relaxation and easing anxiety. However, the most effective music has no genre; it can be any song or piece that holds individual significance. After all, there’s nothing more powerful than something that feels personal, relatable, and special.
The history of music, for the most part, has centered around themes of personal struggles, lost loves, tragedies, hope, and unity. Humans have an inherent need for self-expression, which can only be achieved through one medium: art. Whether it’s literature, poetry, painting, or songwriting, the struggles of humankind have always found their way into art. In fact, the constant struggles people face often drive them to create. People suffer. People are scared. People are anxious (as Fredrik Backman would corroborate). People need to express these feelings, and they need to hear them echoed back. Music serves as the conduit for this expression, allowing individuals to voice their experiences and find solace in knowing they are not alone. It offers hope amid the chaos.
Good news is all I wanna hear; I wish it to all of you going through a rough patch out there. Good news to all of you.
