Are you a fan of metal music? If so, then you’ll be pleased to learn that it is actually good for you. Then again, metal music is a bit like Marmite in that you either love it, or hate it. There is rarely a middle ground.
If you aren’t particularly taken with metal and could never see what all the fuss is about, then it may be worth reading this article and then going back for another listen, just in case. In this article, we’re going to talk about the surprising mental health benefits of listening to metal music.
- Becoming part of a community
Metal heads have a rather close-knit community of their own and when you commit to listening to metal you have an honorary introduction into their community. Certainly, it’s not a direct mental health benefit, though feeling as though you belong to and forming bonds with a wider community has its benefits – particularly when it comes to self-esteem.
- Listening to music is good for the brain
OK, so this applies to music in the broader sense, however, that doesn’t change the fact that the act of listening to music can benefit your cognitive functions wonderfully – including bolstering the memory.
- You may be more open to experiencing new things
A recent study found that those who listen to heavy metal music – and subsequently have an interest in more complex and intense melodies – tend to be much more open to experiencing new things. That said, the same study found that many metal fans have a craving for uniqueness which can potentially limit their willingness to branch out and accept other forms of music.
- It might make you less violent
Metal is given a bad rap and is often associated with violent devil-worshipers who’d love nothing more than to trash your house. Turns out, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Apparently, listening to metal music can actually reduce your sensitivity to violence. Another study exposed metal fans to a potentially triggering event and angering them, then had them listen to metal music which calmed them down substantially after the fact. This is likely because, whilst metal music can sound aggressive, the act of listening to it can be cathartic and help to release tension.
- Become a critical thinker
Metal music has long been synonymous with anti-establishment tendencies encouraging fans to develop their own investigative skills and think more critically. Again, there is also the risk of it having an averse ‘bubble’ effect where fans may become heavily influenced by their tight-knit community and thus develop biased opinions.
- Build self-confidence
As metal fans have typically lived on the outskirts of what is considered to be “mainstream”, they tend to be rather confident in their own likes, dislikes, and are subsequently more independent. In other words, listening to metal music and engaging with the lifestyle will make you far less likely to care about what other people might think. So, if you’ve always been partial to buying male sex toys then go right ahead. The average metal fan couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks about their business.