Music is the blueprint and fabric of global culture. Throughout generations of music listening, discussion over negative use of musical genres have yet again seen the light of day. But is this worry an outrageous fear? These ideas may trouble a few music lovers like myself. However, research of various music effects has been examined. The results may shock you.
Throughout my previous articles, I always suggest the best aspects of music and how it’s a focal ingredient to make the world a better place. Through the songs of life, music has managed to change perspectives, reimagine mindsets and possibilities, and bring people together on a deeper level. For some, music is a beacon of hope.
For others, it can be the thing they desperately need for proper relaxation. It is music that narrates our lives and fuels our survival. The power of music has always had a positive intentions, but could music actually be bad for our health?
There has always been a heavy discussion surrounding parents, youth and musical content.
“The youth is easily influenced” they would suggest in full rage and push for parental control. Artists such as “Madonna” to the essence and sexually energetic position of Rap and Hip-Hop music have been prone to controversial feedback.
The favorite songs of the current mainstream pop demeanor has been known to reference drug use, violence, and anti-religious views. This sparks a call to action.
Research has suggested that music can negatively affect human beings and their performance on planet earth.
Never Listen to Music Again
Throughout the world of music, mainstream pop singers may have the tendency to promote toxic and unhealthy products.
It’s safe to say, like any other business, the motive is to make revenue and to sell as much as possible. This mentality does not stop at the music industry door.
In 2000 through 2014, a survey was created by New York School of Medicine. The researchers examined product placement by mainstream pop stars.
Their findings discovered that $2 billion per year are spent on ads from Food and Beverage Companies marketing or targeting youth. Fueled by celebrity endorsements, the ripple effect for example, can be placed or surrounded by the increase of obesity in places such as the United States.
Through these trends that are backed up by celebrity influence, bad habits form drastically.
With the advancement of technology, the creation of Air Pods, portable music devices, and general music listening has grown to fit your daily life routines like a puzzle piece.
In Canada, a study was made by McMaster’s department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behavior suggesting the risky listening habits of youth which is blasting eardrums.
Blasting eardrums occur due to loud noise close or planted closely in the ear passageway resulting in hearing loss. The study discovered that the 170 young participants were experiencing chronic and unceasing ringing of the ears, which does not begin to happen until or after the age of 50.
According to Listverse.com, music and its effect on the brain is a fascinating relationship. A study in Finland researched the correlation with music and mental health.
The 2015 study found that listening to sad music at a high amount, has a negative effect on your thinking or thought process. The obvious notion that “happy music makes you happy and sad music makes you sad” can contribute to the fast decrease and increase of emotional stability.
In addition to emotional side effects, music can negatively affect your relationships. Through sexual imagery in particular musical creations, the perception of human connection is altered heavily based on the profanity presented through music.
Ideas of relationships may be negatively impacted, thus resulting in possible toxic relationships.
If you are like me and music is practically an infectious disease that takes over the mind, body and soul, music can in fact disrupt your focus in studying and working life.
A study created out of the University of Wales examined the focus of subjects through testing them on recalled information while being exposed to various music.
In conclusion, the subjects performed more poorly when listening to music, than not. This overall notion or reaction to music listening can additionally play a heavy influence in driving safety.
Blasting loud music can increase the likelihood of a collision and car accidents.
Related to my previous article Attack of the Musical Earworms: Why do songs get stuck in our Head! modern pop music is created to become addicting and made for listeners to become hooked. Through repetition efforts and trendy lyrical structure and content, mainstream music has the nature of reaching the pleasure center of the brain, which results in an addictive response.
I Don’t Want to Grow Older!
The most chilling impact on the effects of music comes at a complete shock. Songs about growing old, might make one die sooner. Cambridge, England researchers from Angola Rustin University, conduct a study surrounding 76 songs.
The songs were related through the theme or topic of aging. The overall examination showed that the songs expressed negative outlooks for growing older.
Stereotypes about aging through modern music, can lend to a negative attitude for growing older which can prolong illness and contribute to social anxiety.
Listen to “Die Young” by Kesha Now!
I can’t help but disassociate with these so-called “problematic” issues. Are these various factors circling the topic of music listening truly concerning and halting the lifespan/longevity of human health around the world? To my humble opinion, no. Music is to be cherished and embraced and it is important to find a personal understanding surrounding the messages and standards of listening to music. I am a hardcore music lover.
Music is all I have known as a passion. The factors listed above do not do great damage to my mental health, nor was it a serious issue regarding the other factors.
In regards to proper headphone usage and the preservation of healthy ear health, turning down the volume a few notches is all it takes.
So, if you are worried about and feel like hiding under the bed cover in order to hide from the fears of the world, music is the last of your worries.
Photos: Shutterstock / Photomontage: Martina Advaney
More articles from the author:
Attack of the Musical Earworms: Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Our Heads!
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