W Paul Pulsipher | Producer, Pianist, Songwriter, Composer

Jennifer Lynn is one of those highly experienced and special influences in both the music and medical industries you definitely want to get to know better. Her own experience speaks for itself in this academic reflection and her personal adecdotes thrown in just put the icing on the cake. If you want to understand the effects of music on the mind and heart from an academic and personal perspective, pay attention to this one!
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In recent years, the connection between music and mental health has gained increasing recognition. As musicians, we often experience firsthand the transformative effects of music, both on ourselves and our audiences. This blog explores how music serves as a powerful tool in trauma recovery and mental health, while also offering insights for fellow musicians looking to make a meaningful impact and a sustainable living through their art.

The Science Behind Music and Healing

Research has shown that music can significantly influence our emotions and physiological states. Listening to music triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can enhance feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. Moreover, music therapy has been employed in various clinical settings to help individuals cope with anxiety, depression, and trauma.

I have personally used music as a therapy during times when I felt lost, depressed, alone, or I wanted to invite the spirit with me. As a child, my father was an alcoholic and drug addict who was also a police officer. He wasn’t an active member of our church, and most people thought I didn’t have a father. When there was extreme abuse in our home, I became sensitive to the kind of spirit that was brought into our home based on the kind of music was playing.  

When there was music that brought the Holy Spirit into our home, it was a desperate solace that created a feeling of love, peace and security. I was no longer in a constant hyper state of emergency, and the music settled my mind, body and spirit. I also used song as a prayer to my Heavenly Father. I remember I was always singing, especially in prayer, as I felt that music had a better way of expressing my heart to the Lord.

When I was old enough to make my own decisions, I always listened to music that brought this spirit of healing and peace. During my teen years, the greatest spiritual memories that solidified my testimony over and over again where those that involved music that had messages of eternal significance; like eternal families, who we are as children of God, and our Savior and His redemptive sacrifice for me personally.

Music has always brought me the same peace and a remembrance of the things that are most sacred to my heart in times of hardship as an adult. For example, when my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer our first year of marriage, and the treatment saved his live, but left him sterile. After knowing we wouldn’t have children of our own, he also had M.S., and a psychological borderline personality disorder that he struggled with. Then after a car accident that damaged his frontal lobe, his wildly different actions effected our life as he went down-hill to the point of eventually dying from a random infection that damaged his intestines. While all of this was going on, I clung tight to our Father in Heaven, and music again had the power to get me energized, uplifted, inspired, or invite the spirit into my home or heart when I felt the onslaught of the adversary.

For those recovering from traumatic experiences, music can provide a safe outlet for expression. It allows individuals to process emotions that may be difficult to articulate. Engaging with music—whether through listening, performing, or creating—can foster a sense of connection and community, reducing feelings of isolation that often accompany mental health challenges.

Music as a Therapeutic Tool

• Expression and Processing: Music offers a unique way to express complex feelings. For many, writing songs or playing an instrument becomes a cathartic experience, enabling them to confront and process their trauma. For example, when I wrote my first song called “You are not Alone” I kept having the impression that I needed to write a song about this experience (see the music video below). Then when I made the music video for it, I found out later that the message of the song was not only healing for me who now doesn’t have an active relationship with my father, but it had a profound healing experience for one of my siblings who’s strayed far from the gospel, and for other members of my family I had no idea it would have helped. It’s also still having a positive and healing effect on a number of people who’ve contacted me to express their experiences of hope, peace and love from the spirit they felt when seeing and listening to the music video.

• Mindfulness and Presence: Engaging with music encourages mindfulness, helping individuals to stay present and grounded. This can be particularly beneficial during moments of anxiety or distress, providing a much-needed anchor.
• Community and Connection: Music brings people together, creating bonds and fostering support networks. Participating in group music activities, such as community choirs or jam sessions, can provide essential social support, helping individuals feel less alone in their struggles. When I’ve had the hardest times, I have been the most active in the Arts. Singing, playing the violin or dancing have always been in my life in one form or another, and the community, fun, structure, and healthy relationships I’ve formed have kept me grounded, moving forward with my own goals or have just kept me afloat when I needed to feel whole again. Music has a powerful superability that allows us to feel our range of emotions when very few things have the same ability to do so.

Research in Mental Health and Music

Music has a profound effect on our emotional and physiological states, and research in this area continues to reveal its powerful impact. Below, I’ll summarize key statistics and provide references to relevant studies that support the claims about music's influence on emotions and physiological states, especially in clinical settings.

• Music and Neurotransmitters:
  Music triggers the release of dopamine, the brain's "feel-good" chemical, which is associated with pleasure, motivation, and reward.
  • Dopamine Release and Music: Research indicates that listening to pleasurable music can activate the brain's reward system, resulting in the release of dopamine.
    Study: A 2011 study by Salimpoor et al. found that when participants listened to music they found pleasurable, it triggered a dopamine release comparable to the effect of food or monetary rewards.
    • Citation: Salimpoor, V. N., et al. (2011). "Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music." Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257-262.
  • Dopamine and Emotional Response to Music: A 2013 study demonstrated that people’s emotional responses to music, such as chills or goosebumps, were associated with increased dopamine activity.
    Study: Blood and Zatorre (2001) also observed that music-induced emotions activated areas in the brain related to pleasure and reward, like the ventral striatum
    • Citation: Blood, A. J., & Zatorre, R. J. (2001). "Intensely pleasurable responses to music correlate with activity in brain regions involved in reward and emotion." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 98(20), 11818-11823.
• Music Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma:
  Music therapy has been used effectively to treat emotional and psychological conditions, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Effectiveness of Music Therapy on Anxiety: A meta-analysis of 56 studies (2016) showed that music therapy significantly reduced anxiety levels in patients undergoing medical treatments or facing mental health challenges.
    Study: Bradt, J., & Dileo, C. (2016). "Music interventions for mechanically ventilated patients." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 12.
     
  • Music Therapy for Depression: A 2013 study showed that music therapy could be an effective complementary treatment for depression, with positive effects on reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing emotional well-being.
    Study: Maratos, A. S., et al. (2011). "Music therapy for depression: It seems to work, but how?" Journal of Affective Disorders, 138(1-2), 91-97. 
     
  • Music Therapy for PTSD: A study in 2015 showed that music therapy helped reduce PTSD symptoms in military veterans, with benefits in both emotional regulation and social integration.
    Study: Magee, W. L., Davidson, J. W., & Gold, C. (2015). "Music therapy in the management of post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review." The Arts in Psychotherapy, 42(1), 38-48. Link
• Physiological Effects of Music:
  • Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Listening to relaxing music has been shown to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, making it a useful intervention in settings like hospitals and clinics.
    Study: A 2008 study on the effects of music on anxiety and physiological responses during surgery found that patients who listened to calming music had lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and less anxiety.
    • Citation: Bradt, J., & Dileo, C. (2008). "Music interventions for mechanically ventilated patients." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4.
  • Endorphin and Stress Reduction: Another study found that music can reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body, leading to a reduction in perceived stress levels.
    Study: Thoma, M. V., et al. (2013). "The effect of music on the human stress response." PLOS ONE, 8(8), e70156.
• Music's Role in Trauma Recovery: Music is particularly effective in helping people process trauma, as it can facilitate emotional expression and help regulate mood states.
  • Music in Trauma Recovery: A 2012 study found that music therapy was effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress and improving emotional regulation in trauma survivors.
    Study: Barber, B. L., & Stoner, J. A. (2012). "Music therapy with trauma survivors: A systematic review." The Arts in Psychotherapy, 39(4), 223-227. Link

Summary of Key Statistics:

• Dopamine Release: Music can trigger a dopamine release, improving mood and feelings of reward.
• Anxiety Reduction: Music therapy is associated with a 30-40% reduction in anxiety in clinical populations.
• Depression: Music therapy significantly reduces symptoms of depression, with many studies showing a 20-30% improvement in patients.
• Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: Relaxing music can reduce blood pressure by 5-10 mmHg and heart rate by 5-10 bpm in patients.

Practical Applications for Musicians

As musicians, we have the ability to harness the healing power of music not only for our own well-being but also for others. Here are some ways to incorporate this understanding into your work:

• Write Healing Songs: Use your experiences and insights to craft songs that speak to themes of healing, resilience, and hope. These can resonate deeply with listeners who may be experiencing similar challenges. I didn’t feel like I initially wanted my first professional song to be about my own abuse as a child, but the message of the atonement for everyone became a bigger message than one of my own experiences, and the Lord has used my humble bread and fishes to do his work; and that’s what I pray for.
• Host Workshops: Consider organizing workshops focused on the therapeutic aspects of music. This could involve songwriting sessions, improvisation, or guided listening experiences that emphasize emotional expression and healing.
• Collaborate with Mental Health Professionals: Partnering with therapists or counselors can provide a valuable perspective on the therapeutic potential of music. This collaboration can lead to innovative programs or events that benefit the community.
• Share Your Journey: Be open about your own experiences with mental health and the role music has played in your recovery. This authenticity can inspire others and create a deeper connection with your audience. When our audience feels like the musician has been through the same or similar experiences, or even worse, our brother’s and sister's watching or listening to us have the opportunity to connect in a sacred way that music and the spirit can express.
• Create a Safe Space: Whether in person or online, foster an environment where people feel safe to share their experiences and emotions. This could be through social media, live performances, or dedicated community events.

Making a Living Through Healing Music

As you explore the healing power of music, consider how these practices can also be woven into your professional life. The growing interest in mental health and wellness offers a unique opportunity for musicians to carve out a niche. Here are some tips for building a sustainable career:

• Diversify Your Offerings: In addition to performances, explore different avenues such as workshops, music therapy sessions, or online courses focused on the healing aspects of music.
• Build an Online Presence: Share content that highlights the therapeutic benefits of music, whether through blog posts, videos, or social media. Engaging your audience in discussions about mental health can strengthen your community and attract like-minded individuals.
• Seek Out Grants and Funding: Look for grants that support art and mental health initiatives. Many organizations are dedicated to promoting wellness through the arts, providing funding for projects that align with these values. I used to work as an Administrator for the Grants departments of a University in Arizona, and I learned that there are a lot of opportunities for grant writers, and there are people that can help you through the process of grant writing if you look for it.

Conclusion

The healing power of music is profound and multifaceted, offering hope and recovery for many navigating mental health challenges. As musicians, we have the unique ability to connect, inspire, and facilitate healing through our art. By embracing this responsibility and sharing our gifts with the world, we can not only enhance our own lives but also make a lasting impact on the lives of others. Together, we can harness the power of music to create a healthier, more connected community, allowing the Lord to work through us; being a conduit for His work.

Jennifer Lynn (DHA)

Doctorate In Health Administration

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You can find more about Jennifer on her professional profile here.