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Abstract

This study explored the effect of music and imagery on plasma beta-endorphin in 78 undergraduates. Subjects screened for relevant psychological and health criteria were assigned to music imaging, silent imaging, music listening, and control conditions. Subjects donated 15 ml of blood prior to and following the 2-hr intervention period. There were no group differences in potential confounding variables. Split-plot factorial analysis controlling for individual differences in pretest level of beta-endorphin revealed that those in the music imaging group experienced a significant pre-post decline in beta-endorphin, while no other group demonstrated any significant pre-post difference. These data suggest that music imaging may lower peripheral beta-endorphin levels in healthy subjects. Further exploration of the effects of music and imagery interventions on physiology and health may be warranted.

Effectiveness of Music Therapy on Social Skill Growth in Educable Intellectual Disability Boys

“…So it is compatible with the results achieved in previous studies on the effect of music therapy in improving psychological function and resolve of some psychiatric disorders including anxiety and improve stress management [7] [10] [11] [16]- [20]. The effect music therapy on social growth may be due to mood regulation [6]- [8] or by improving function of brain in coping with stress, self-satisfaction and self-confidence increases [13]- [15]. As music induces safe environment for good social relationship, it may cause positive self-esteem and increases social approach and interests [16]- [19].…”

“…Music therapy can regulate the mood and decrease pain by releasing endorphins [13] [14]. Music can also improve function of brain in coping with stress and increases self-satisfaction and self-confidence [15].…”

Effects of Music Listening on Cortisol Levels and Propofol Consumption during Spinal Anesthesia

“…However, three mechanisms appear to be likely: First, up-regulation of activity within the mesolimbic dopaminergic system by the music (particularly by virtue of increased activity within the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens; Blood and Zatorre, 2001; Menon and Levitin, 2005; Koelsch et al, 2006a) with corresponding effects on the reactivity to stress and pain (Pani et al, 2000; Jääskeläinen et al, 2001). Second, down-regulation of activity of the central nucleus of the amygdala by the music (Blood and Zatorre, 2001; Koelsch et al, 2006a, 2008) with down-regulatory effects on (a) levels of fear and worries (LeDoux, 2000; Vollert et al, 2003), and (b) on activity of hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei involved in the generation of the endocrine (HPA-axis) and vegetative stress responses (Nieuwenhuys et al, 2007; such stress-related effects might also include modulations of beta-endorphin levels, McKinney et al, 1997b; Gerra et al, 1998; Vollert et al, 2003). Third, because musical information consumes cognitive (including attentional) resources (e.g., Koelsch and Siebel, 2005), participants of the music group might also have been more distracted from fearful and worrying thoughts, and from the perception of the surgical procedures (compared to participants of the control group).…”

Music and social bonding: “self-other” merging and neurohormonal mechanisms

“…In addition, the sense of elation that arises when engaging in musical activities has been attributed to endorphin release (Chiu and Kumar, 2003; Huron, 2006; Dunbar, 2009). Calming music is thought to act via the EOS by buffering the effect of stressful events (see McKinney et al, 1997b for a review), and relaxation following music listening is also linked to the EOS (Stefano et al, 2004). Gerra et al (1998) report that listening to techno-music significantly changes emotional states (and increases beta-endorphin levels), due to its strong rhythmic beat and engagement of motor regions of the brain.…”