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Heavy Metal Can Have Therapeutic Benefits, Psychologist Says
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Heavy metal, a genre often associated with rage and high-intensity beats, has a surprising new moniker – stress buster. After examining the music genre’s benefits, New York-based clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Andreoli found that heavy metal can do wonders for our brains.
Dr. Andreoli’s study challenges the typical understanding of music therapy, underlining that even genres like heavy metal can be therapeutic by reducing stress. Beyond just a stress reliever, the music genre can also boost thinking and help with focus.
“Heavy metal has been found to lessen negative emotions by reducing cortisol levels,” Dr. Andreoli shared. “Research has found that people who listen to heavy metal tend to think more logically and in more complex terms.”
Contrary to the genre’s image, heavy metal lyrics, despite frequently revolving around rage, do not promote violent behavior.
Dr. Andreoli says listening to heavy metal can translate into a “positive way to process anger safely.”
In line with Andreoli’s findings, a 2019 article by Nick Perham, a lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University, revealed that metal fans exhibit better anger management and are generally happier than their non-fan counterparts.
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