Studies find that intense tempo and heavy bass doesn’t cause aggression in listeners; listening to heavy metal can lead to increased positive emotions and stress relief. 

Can listening to heavy metal songs be an effective tool for coping with stress and anxiety? For me, metal music has been a saviour since I discovered my first metal band during a difficult period marked by the loss of a family member. Metal music became my refuge, helping me navigate the chaos in my mind. The intense tempo and heavy bass had a calming effect, significantly reducing my stress levels.

Contrary to popular belief, heavy metal doesn’t promote aggression; there’s no scientific evidence to support that claim. In an interesting study, researchers found that extreme music did not make angry participants angrier; rather, it appeared to match their physiological arousal and result in an increase in positive emotions.

Another study suggests that individual differences in musical preferences may be linked to brain activity and structure. Participants who listened to their preferred extreme music after a stressful event experienced increased positive emotions and decreased hostility, irritability, and stress. 

For long, heavy metal music has been (wrongly) associated with psychological and behavioural problems that include aggression, delinquency, anxiety, depression, and disrespect toward societal norms and women. However, there is little empirical reason to conclude that heavy metal music actually causes any of these problems.

While heavy metal may not be music to every ear, the popular genre can offer considerable benefits for its fans. Archisha Wadhwa, a counselling psychologist and PhD student at Ashoka University, India, underscores the importance of acknowledging and expressing one’s emotions for sustained well-being. “Suppressing feelings can cause various complications,” she warns.

A highly effective method for emotional expression is through art. Expressive arts therapy, a growing branch of therapy, focuses on this approach. “Artistic forms like music can help us access and express complex emotions that may be difficult to articulate, or may lack other outlets. It can allow individuals to confront and work through their emotions safely and constructively,” explains the psychologist. Apart from listening to music, playing a musical instrument or singing can further enhance emotional expression. 

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