Metal softens manners. Metal, emo, hardcore punk and other “extreme” musical styles that some call edgy and violent would actually make its fans … soft as lambs. The paradox is noted in the scientific journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience by researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia.
The Australians asked 39 metal lovers to imagine a frustrating situation involving their romantic relationship, finances or work. The goal was to get them into a process of anger. The emotions of the participants were measured by recording their heartbeat. Some then sat in silence for ten minutes. The others heard metal music in their ears for the same amount of time.
Metal, well-being and pleasure
Surprisingly, the band that had listened to metal were just as calm at the end of the ten minutes as the band sat in silence. “We found that this music regulates sadness and enhances positive emotions,” Leah Sarman told The Huffington Post, co-author of the study and a student at the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland. “Music helped [les volontaires] to explore the full range of emotions they were feeling. But they also felt more active and more inspired ”.
Far from stirring up violence or anger, the heavy metal notes send waves of relaxation, good humor and help people who listen to it “immerse themselves in happiness and improve their well-being”.
The impact of music on health and on emotions of great interest to researchers. The results of their work sometimes run counter to popular ideas. For example, a study published in Plos One showed that sad music would make you happier. So, the next time you’re feeling low, listen to your melancholy playlist without moderation.
>> To read also:Listening to music to age better
