Study Shows Listening to Metal Reduces Anxiety, Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

A new study suggests that listening to metal decreases anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate.

The study tasked 1,540 volunteers (aged 18-65) with completing non-verbal reasoning tests which were specifically designed to produce low levels of stress. Participants were given a soundtrack to listen to at the same time, made up of varying Spotify playlists. They were fitted with heart rate and blood pressure monitors and asked to record their stats throughout the experiment.

Heavy metal was found to be the second most effective at reducing anxiety, with 89% of respondents reporting a decrease in their blood pressure and respondents’ heart rates dropping by an average of 18%. An ’80s pop playlist elicited the strongest reduction in anxiety, with a 36% decrease in heart rate and 96% of respondents reporting a drop in blood pressure.

The study was conducted by Veraclinic.net, a hair transplant company. Studies have shown a direct correlation between stress and hair loss in men, so the company wanted to find out how effective music was at reducing anxiety, and which genre helped the most.

Some other highlights of the study:

• Techno is the genre least effective at reducing anxiety, with 78% of respondents reporting an increase in blood pressure when listening to it.
• Classical music is often thought to be relaxing, however the Bridgerton classical music soundtrack was neither the least nor the most anxiety reducing, with respondents’ heart rates decreasing by 15% on average – earning it its place halfway down the table.

Doctor Avlanmış, who led the study, commented:

“The results may seem surprising on first inspection – but medically they make a lot of sense.

“’80s Pop Hits could have positive nostalgia attached to them for many people, and their upbeat, party-like sounds can induce the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain, both increasing feelings of happiness and calm.

“In terms of heavy metal, I’d observe that angry music can help listeners process their feelings and as a result lead to greater well-being’.

Amen! We metalheads know that all too well. As for the study’s goals of reinforcing that lowered anxiety can lead to reduced hair loss, we metalheads also know that there’s nothing wrong with a shiny, bald dome.

The full results of the study are below: