For years we have seen the research that music, singing, playing an instrument, and even listening to specific music can increase the capabilities of the brain. These activities result in the brain being stimulated on both sides an occurrence called hemispheric synchronization. It is astounding to see brain imaging of a person in the presence of music compared with when they are not. Look at the image below. The brain’s reaction to music shows the dramatic increase in areas that are stimulated, accessed, and can be altered by the musical sound & rhythm.
From the release of dopamine, a feel-good chemical, our attention is focused away from a negative stimulus to something pleasant and engaging. Music has a huge impact on the brain and our emotions. Music can alter our breathing and heart rate as well as improve our state of mind. This helps keep things like depression and anxiety at bay. Music can reduce the perception of pain and even alter patterns of pain, depression, and disability. Music occupies the mind with something familiar and soothing. This creates an environment of comfort and a sense of safety.
As we explore the specific health benefits of drumming, you might be surprised at the vast areas within the brain that drumming can impact. It has been determined that drumming synchronizes the right and left hemispheres. We have learned that when the logical left hemisphere and the intuitive right hemisphere of your brain begin to pulsate together, your inner guidance system, or intuition, becomes stronger.
Drumming also appears to synchronize the lower areas of the brain (non-verbal) with the frontal cortex (language and reasoning). This integration produces feelings of insight and certainty. For these reasons, therapeutic drumming may be a powerful tool in helping retrain the brains of people who have some level of damage or impairment. Those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), have suffered a stroke, or have a neurological disease such as Parkinson’s are appropriate candidates for therapeutic drumming.
Finally, music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves. Slow beats create the slow brain waves that are associated with hypnotic or meditative states. Faster beats may increase more alert and concentrated thinking. When Beta waves used for concentration change to Alpha waves your body and mind will begin to calm and feel more relaxed. This may be helpful to individuals suffering from depression and anxiety.
Professional drummer Alex Rüdinger has faced and battled depression. Drumming has been an integral part of his recovery. His story is quite powerful and worth the read. https://audient.com/2019/04/02/rudi_drums/
What about those who are not professional drummers? Can drumming be helpful to untrained musicians? There have been some comprehensive studies done with individuals suffering from anxiety and depression who have no musical training that has shown very nice results.
The study, Effects of Group Drumming Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, Social Resilience and Inflammatory Immune Response (2016), explored whether a music-making intervention, specifically group drumming, could improve mental health over several weeks. Additionally, in order to ascertain the physiological effects of drumming, the study explored whether psychological responses were found in parallel with a reduction in pro-inflammatory response.
Their hypothesis was that across ten-weeks of group drumming there would be a decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and improvements in social resilience and mental wellbeing. It was determined that ten weeks or more of group drumming for 90 minutes each session did decrease anxiety and depression as opposed to the control group who did not receive group drumming. In addition, they were thrilled to document that these participants also maintained decreased levels of anxiety and depression at the 3-month follow-up.
Considering the many health benefits of drumming it is an excellent option for those experiencing mental health challenges. Are you interested in getting involved in a group this Fall? Send us a message by using our Contact Us link. We would love to speak with you more.
Works Cited
Fancourt, D., Perkins, R., Ascenso, S., Carvalho, L. A., Steptoe, A., & Williamon, A. (2016). Effects of group drumming interventions on anxiety, depression, social resilience and inflammatory immune response among mental health service users. PloS one, 11(3), e0151136.