About 18.1 million adults in the US alone suffer from anxiety according to the National Institute of Mental Health. This mental condition is characterized by an inexplicable feeling of dread, panic, and fear over an imminent event. This condition is often accompanied by panic attacks.
Anxiety disorders are treated with benzodiazepines, a highly addicting class of psychoactive drugs. Thankfully, a group of scientists discovered a much safer alternative to dangerous anti-anxiety drugs, a relaxing music that reduces anxiety symptoms by 65%.
The soothing song - composed by Marconi Union - was meant to put listeners in a highly relaxed state.
The Creation of the Ultimate Anti-Stress Music
Researchers at Mindlab International in the U.K. wanted to know what kind of music induces the greatest state of relaxation. The study involved having participants try to solve difficult puzzles — which inherently triggered a certain degree of stress — while connected to sensors. At the same time, participants listened to a range of songs as researchers measured their brain activity, heart rate, blood pressure and rate of breathing.
What they found is that one song — “Weightless” — resulted in a striking 65 percent reduction in participants’ overall anxiety, and a 35 percent reduction in their usual physiological resting rates.
Interestingly, the song was specifically designed to induce this highly relaxed state. Created by Marconi Union, the musicians teamed up with sound therapists to carefully arrange harmonies, rhythms and bass lines, which in turn slow a listener’s heart rate and blood pressure, while also lowering stress hormones like cortisol.
In fact, the music is so effective, that many of the female participants became drowsy — to the point where lead researcher Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson advises against listening to it while driving.
But don’t take their word for it. Experience it for yourself here:
Marconi Union — ‘Weightless’ (Official Video)
Image courtesy of: Kay Sunshine
