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I've heard that listening to Gregorian chants can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety and depression. Is this a myth or is there actually some truth behind it?

I've read news reports about a study in England in which Gregorian chants were found to reduce stress, lower heart rate and blood pressure, but I haven't seen any scientific studies on the subject. In May 2008, the Daily Mail, a British newspaper, published an account of research in London on five monks who had their heart rate and blood pressure measured over the course of a 24-hour period. The investigators found that blood pressure and heart rate dropped to their lowest points when the monks were chanting and theorized that chanting can improve mental state, reduce tension and increase efficiency in the workplace.

I wasn't surprised to read about these results. Music can have a powerful effect on mind and body. In fact, hospitals use music therapy to ease pain, boost patients' moods and counteract depression, help them sleep and reduce muscle tension so that they can relax. Music therapy is also used to stimulate nursing home residents and improve the moods of psychiatric patients and help them to gain more control over their lives.

If you check out the Web site of the American Music Therapy Association (http://www.musictherapy.org), you'll find claims that music can ease pain, lessen anxiety and fatigue, and can even reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Some small studies have suggested that music therapy can slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.




Our bodies react instinctively to different rhythms. When you listen to slow, relaxing music, your heart naturally beats more slowly, breathing deepens and brainwaves slow down. These physiological reactions are all components of the relaxation response.

A few years ago, I helped create a CD called Sound Body, Sound Mind: Music for Healing with music designed to influence brain wave activity and encourage the body's natural potential for healing.

Listen to whatever kind of music relaxes you to help you wind down and neutralize stress and anxiety. It doesn't have to be Gregorian chants, but certainly give that a try if it appeals to you.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Hello Everyone,

Did You Know ..................?
Greek Physicians were prescribing Music Therapy for their patients over 2000 years ago! Music is recognized as being a key benefactor in the treatment of Depression. A famous Biblical Composer/Musician used Music to help soothe a Kings low mood. (David, who eventually became King himself). That it is not just the 'sound of Music' that is beneficial, but that the tempo, style and even the vibration can have great effect on us. Thousands of people have had their quality of life enhanced dramatically by the introduction of Music for Health Workshops. Music may well be a means of helping those with Dementia. That Music for Health is the only organisation currently supplying unique Music based Interactive Holistic Workshops to Rest Homes, Nursing Homes, E.M.I. Homes and Homes for Adults with Learning Difficulties, in the UK.That there are still opportunities for caring people to take part in this nationwide programme.

Not only Gregorian chants but any kind of music you want to listen. But do you know the others advantage listening music?