In today's stressful society, attention is being paid to soothing music, including healing music.
I think everyone feels relaxed when listening to music.
But does science really say that music has healing powers? Let's explore this from various angles.

Music has historically been used for healing

The healing power of music has been in the spotlight recently, but the relationship between music and healing actually has a long history. In ancient Egypt, music was considered "medicine for the soul." The Bible also records that David soothed King Saul's heart by playing the lyre. In Greece, Aristotle believed that listening to music that echoed the feelings of the moment could bring healing. In Schubert's song "Ode to Music," he sings that music brings light to the heart. In this way, human beings have always used music for healing.

The scientific healing power of music

When we are tired, listening to music can help us feel relaxed.
But does music really help us relax? Or is it just a feeling of relaxation?
For example, data from Colorado State University in the United States shows that depression in Parkinson's disease patients has improved.
Additionally, research conducted at Nagaoka University of Technology has shown that high-frequency sounds have a healing effect.
Many university papers have also shown that listening to relaxation music reduces cortisol, a hormone that is secreted during stress.
It is also well known that electrocardiogram measurements taken after listening to music show a decrease in heart rate and a state of relaxation in which the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant.
The mechanism by which listening to music soothes us is a complex intertwining of multiple factors, making it difficult to explain in a single sentence.
However, there are many research results from credible organizations such as universities, so it can be said that the healing power of music has already been scientifically proven.

The relationship between 1/f fluctuations and healing

1/f fluctuations are a relaxing element found in music. Sounds in nature and our own heart rates also contain this. When we experience 1/f fluctuations, we enter a state of relaxation. The mechanism behind why we feel relaxed is still not fully understood. It is thought that 1/f fluctuations, which are neither regular nor completely irregular, may be a factor, as they are just right for our senses. However, numerous studies have shown that measuring brain waves while experiencing 1/f fluctuations indicates a state of relaxation. The instrument with the most 1/f fluctuations in its sound is the pipe organ. Other examples include the harpsichord, violin, and harp. String instruments generally have a lot of 1/f fluctuations.

Soothing music for times like these

When you hear the term soothing music, you probably imagine listening to it when you're tired.
Healing is a state of psychological security.
For example, soothing music is effective when you want to concentrate before an important exam or playing sports.
It is recommended for driving, jogging, walking, yoga, Pilates and other exercises.
Listening to it when doing housework you don't feel like doing can also help motivate you.
When you're feeling blue after a small argument with family or friends, or after making a mistake at work, try refreshing yourself with some soothing music.
Whenever you feel a bit unsettled, you can always count on the soothing effects of music.

What kind of music has a soothing effect?

The healing effect is scientifically defined as the decrease in heart rate, as mentioned above.
It refers to a state of relaxation in which the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol is suppressed.

There are three specific elements of music that have a healing effect:
- The tempo is slow (about the same as a human heart rate or slower)
- The pitch and dynamics of the music are small, and the melody line is simple.
・The rhythm is regular and gentle
"Waitress," composed by Marconi Union, which some research has found to be the most soothing song in the world, is a song that truly possesses these three elements.

Make the most of the healing power of music!

When listening to soothing music, you want to maximize its effect.
To do this, it's important to listen in a quiet, calm environment and not turn up the volume too high.