Health Hazard?

A recent University of Maryland study (published on Gigwise.com) finds some Heavy Metal is actually hazardous to your health.

If you didn't click the link, I'll paraphrase. Basically the article finds that Heavy Metal causes stress, which is bad for your heart. Apparently the best music for your heart is "John Denver country-style."

Scientists asked 10 non-smokers to avoid listening to their favorite music. Then, these volunteers rocked out to the controlled samples. The study found..."that volunteer's arteries opened 26% wider on average during music they liked but narrowed by 6% when 'anxious' music was played."

The problem here, of course, is that there is no regard for human emotion. Fast music just might make your heart rate speed up a little. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. Also, I don't like John Denver. I could guess that listening to him for a long time would stress me out - thus causing my arteries narrow.

I get crazy over silly medical studies that demonize Metal. I think the article forgets most of the facts, so I don't want to unfairly judge the study. Still, I find it hard not to scream "give me a break" at the top of my lungs to anyone that will listen.

Comments

[r0ck0n]

meh. I'm actually doing a project now for my personality psych class, and its on how music affects people/why people choose the music they do.

Anyway, there really seems to be no consensus at all as to whether or not music really does have these effects, and its certainly not uniform for every person. one study shows that rats who listened to metal all killed one another, a subsequent study negates the findings. I think it really depends on your personal preference. One of my articles said that people who chose heavy metal as their favorite genre actually got calmer, less depressed, and were in an improved mood after listening to it. So if you like it, I wouldn't worry!

[red6ixx]

i never read anything into these daft 'studies' - i realised they were all rubbish when i read an article on why Cornflakes get soggy when you add milk to your cerial.

[Jay]

Ahhh. but what about the cardiovascular advantages to headbanging to metal? You aren't gonna get up offa that couch for John Denver..no sir..when you hear Appetite for Destruction you just gotta get up and move!

[vitalisvh]

You should consider this report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7598549.stm

Quote of note: "One of the most surprising things is the similarities between fans of classical music and heavy metal. They're both creative and at ease but not outgoing."

[Todd]

Listening to John Denver on a consistent basis would not have an effect on my heart.

But, it would send me to an insane asylum.