| What specific types of health benefits are associated | | | | and took about a month to complete. |
| with listening to the types of music that you like, by | | | | Trial Results: |
| prompting your mind and body to feel better? Well, | | | | When compared to their previously recorded baseline |
| that is exactly what a team of researchers were | | | | blood flow data, listening to favorite music produced |
| determined to find out. In 2005, this same group of | | | | even more impressive results than the original |
| researchers, at the University of Maryland School of | | | | laughter study trial. Increased blood flow differences |
| Medicine, in Baltimore, studied the physical health | | | | were noticed in every phase of the trial, which were |
| effects of laughter on the cardiovascular system for | | | | each measured and recorded separately. Here are |
| the first, ever, study of its kind. Now, they were | | | | the results listed in the order of their important |
| going to compare those results with listening to | | | | significances to increased blood flow, pleasant music |
| pleasurable music, relaxing sounds, and stressful | | | | 26 percent, laughter 19 percent, and relaxing sounds |
| music. | | | | 11 percent. |
| When the results were finalized, they were | | | | What was not at all that surprising, in opposition to |
| presented at the Scientific Sessions of the American | | | | blood flow increases, was that blood flow actually |
| Heart Association gathering, on November 11, 2008, | | | | decreased (by 6 percent) when stressful music was |
| in New Orleans. Oh, by the way and just so you | | | | played for the test subjects. What impressed the |
| know, this study was sponsored by the American | | | | researchers the most about this study was the |
| Heart Association, the Veterans Administration, and | | | | consistency each individual had to each of the |
| the National Institutes of Health. | | | | different types of stimuli. |
| Study Criteria: | | | | The physiological impact of this study, obviously, |
| This experiment used ten healthy, non-smoking | | | | goes way beyond what can actually be measured in |
| volunteers (70 percent of which were male) and | | | | physical effects. Dr. Michael Miller, M.D., the lead |
| were an average age of 36 years. Prior the the | | | | researcher in this study, says it best for most of us, |
| starting day of the eventful study, the participants | | | | "when we actively listen to our favorite music, it |
| were also instructed to abstain from listening to their | | | | evokes such raw positive emotions in us most likely |
| favorite music for a minimum of two weeks. The | | | | in part due the chemical endorphin release within the |
| researchers were hoping for an extra advantage in | | | | brain. It's that part of the mind, body, spirit |
| intensifying the positive physical health benefits. | | | | connection that we are all yearning to learn so much |
| Upon fasting the night before the study, each | | | | more about". |
| participant began the research by being subjected to | | | | I don't know how you feel about music, but I can |
| a baseline brachial artery (located in the upper arm) | | | | really get into listening to some zippy tunes that can, |
| mediation-flow dilation test. Using a blood pressure | | | | often, lift my mood. I simply love all kinds of different |
| cuff to restrict and release blood flow, ultrasound | | | | types of music. The lyrics are not as important to |
| equipment was used as a measuring tool. Each | | | | me, most of the time, as the rhythm, tune, or sound |
| individual's personal responses were recorded by the | | | | of it. And on the other hand, you really can take |
| increases and decreases of their blood flow effects, | | | | yourself to a place of not feeling so great with music |
| which was measured in percentage points according | | | | too. You can use this sensitive medium to engage in |
| to the differences in blood vessel diameter. | | | | feeling sad, lonely, or miserable to help back up your |
| All test subjects were required to participate in all | | | | unhappy stories if that is how your wanting to feel. |
| four phases of the experiment, which was | | | | The type of music you choose to listen to is a |
| administrated to each participant in no particular order. | | | | deciding factor in how you would like to feel. By |
| The physiological differences were noted and | | | | purposely choosing and acclimating yourself to music |
| recorded after each test subject had completed a | | | | that you like and makes you feel happy, it is simply |
| phase. One phase of the study involved instructing | | | | just another arrow in your quiver you can use as a |
| the individual to select music they considered pleasant | | | | weapon to help fight heart disease. There are, of |
| and enjoyable to listen to. A second phase had them | | | | course, several other lifestyle changes such as diet, |
| choosing and listening to music that they did not like | | | | exercise, and adequate sunshine exposure that would |
| and would make them feel anxious or nervous, a | | | | work nicely in conjunction with pleasant music to help |
| third phase had them listening to relaxing sounds, and | | | | keep every part of you physically and emotionally fit. |
| the fourth phase contained watching a funny video | | | | So, turn on your favorite music, with the most |
| clip. | | | | convenient sources available, and start getting |
| A minimum time span of one week between | | | | yourself in the groove of a better feeling state of |
| exposures to the four different phases was allowed, | | | | mind. |