Tag: metal

  • The surprising connection between Metal and Mental Health

    The surprising connection between Metal and Mental Health

    What’s so special about metal?

    For those who consider themselves a part of the metal community, we aren’t surprised at all by recent publications supporting the benefits of metal for metal listeners. Hearing that first song that felt like a change in your brain chemistry, channeling of all challenging feelings through singing, screaming, or air-instrumenting (if you will) to your favorite fast song, the joy of watching those songs played live amongst a sea of like-minded people, and making that quick friendship when you realize you have a favorite band in common because their t-shirt said so… It’s a euphoric experience.

    For those who haven’t had that similar experience within metal and alternative music, that’s ok! I’d love to share more…

    Metal music is an outlet for perceived “negative” feelings like anger, frustration, depression, chaos, and even violence. Listening to songs with such themes is a chance to express them in a safe and accepting environment. In most other spaces, shame is associated with those feelings because they are considered “bad”, yet, they are so common. Allowing for people to experience these normal feelings can be a relief. It is a myth that talking about these feelings promotes them. Rather, it is an opportunity to channel them and relinquish them. This can be done through just listening or the other ways metalheads enjoy their music like engaging in a mosh pit or headbanging. Through all of these emotional explorations, there is research to suggest that listening to metal music can actually release cortisol (a stress chemical) and support with focus and logic. 

    Contrary to the first point, metal music isn’t just about anger or aggressive themes, despite the suggestion with fast riffs and drum beats. Metal also largely focuses on history, sci-fi, religion, fantasy, politics, and mental health, even (just to name a few). So many themes can be explored within the context of a heavy and/or fast sound and tone. 

    Another common theme in metal is that of empowerment. Strength, victory, identity, and overcoming battles are just some of the ways in which one’s values are celebrated in metal. Many fans have expressed feeling better while chanting along to songs that celebrate someone’s positive self-regard or ability to rise above.

    As mentioned earlier, the quick connections based on shared bands is an attractive quality of being a metal fan. In just a moment, you can see a familiar band tee or be singing along to a song with the person next to you at a show and bonding instantly begins. Prioritizing that common interest over any differences between the two people standing there exemplifies the open-mindedness of metalheads. 

    You can be or feel different than what is expected of you, but in the metal community, that’s wonderfully not unique to you. 

    Resources 

    Blott J (2021) High spirits: heavy metal and mental health. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8, 105-107

    https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(20)30558-7/fulltext

    Scarlett, L. (2023, June 7). Psychologist says people that listen to heavy metal think more logically and are less stressed than those who don’t. Louder. https://bit.ly/45fI1N3

    Sharman L and Dingle GA (2015) Extreme Metal Music and Anger Processing. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 9:272. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00272 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4439552/

  • Why “Metal” for Your Mental Health?

    Why “Metal” for Your Mental Health?

    A Therapist’s Self-Disclosure

    Whether in my personal or professional life, genuineness in relationships has been most important to me. In my professional life, I have found that therapy work is near impossible when a connection is not made. In my personal life, quality connection means everything to my social, emotional, and mental wellness.

    One way I have connected to people has been largely through music; more specifically metal music. As a former teenager, I know what it’s like to experience social anxiety and low self-esteem which impacts ability to reach out to others. As an adult, I reflect on how beneficial it was to be able to connect with my peers about our shared interest in music. 

    The metal community was where I found my passion, my self-expression, and my chosen family. It was such a welcoming group with a focus on our mutual passion and values. As much as individuality is celebrated, there was also a certain open-mindedness; the only pressing differences between us often being: which was our favorite album of [insert band name].

    What better way to utilize this self-disclosure as a “metalhead” and passionate music fan as a way to connect with clients who may take interest? When the MFYMH idea popped into my head, I realized that pursuing this idea would be most authentic to my personal and professional interests. 

    My mission is to reach clients interested in metal, rock, and alternative music as a way for us to connect. Furthermore to utilize all of this music’s positive qualities to benefit our own lives. Whether through individual counseling or the projected groups, I’d love for us to use music as a way to open the door and find our therapeutic relationship.

    Beyond metal, if you are a music fan interested in utilizing your music interest in your therapy journey, I would love to connect for a consultation. On the same days, I listen to Metallica, you can also catch me listening to Backstreet Boys or Enya. I believe in the power of the music that moves you!

    Thank you for reading.

    – Zoë Sharkey, Founder & Executive Director of MFYMH

    The above photo on this post features the author of this post and Founder of MFYMH, Zoë with Randy Blythe of Lamb of God.