A recent study in China exposed mice to unpredictable stress during the day and played music to them at night. The results indicated that listening to music completely prevented the development of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in these mice. Biochemical parameters examined further supported these findings. The paper was published in Translational Psychiatry.

Depression and anxiety are two distinct yet often interrelated mental health conditions. Depression typically manifests as persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It is frequently accompanied by physical symptoms such as changes in sleep and appetite. Anxiety, on the other hand, is characterized by excessive worry, nervousness, and fear, often leading to physical symptoms like an increased heart rate, sweating, and restlessness. While depression mainly affects one’s mood and outlook on life, anxiety is largely a response to stress and perceived threats.

Both of these conditions can significantly impair an individual’s daily functioning and quality of life. There has been a strong increase in their incidence worldwide in the past several decades. Researchers have been attributing this to increased social pressure and an accelerated pace of life, but the exact cause-and-effect mechanisms through which these conditions develop remain unknown.

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PsyPost
January 16, 2024