Live music reduces stress, study finds

concert audience — Concert audience (Image credit: Getty)

A scientific study has found the first evidence that suggests listening to live music can reduce stress levels.

Researchers from the Centre For Performance Science in London took saliva samples from 117 volunteers at two difference concerts.

They discovered lower levels of glucocorticoids, progesterone and cortisol – all related to human stress – in the samples taken after the shows.

Lead researcher Daisy Fancourt says: “This is the first preliminary evidence that attending a cultural event can have an impact on endocrine activity.”

The organisation notes that the experiment surrounded “relatively calm classical music” performances and that more research will be needed to “ascertain whether other genres of music elicit different effects.”

Official: Study music for better communication

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.