Driving Trance Beat Keeps Brains Thriving

By Rick McVicar   

     I have never been sure about what genre of music describes my original compositions for a mix of violin and synthesizer. However, I do believe my music has helped with my brain health recovery.

  Personally, I have always considered my music to be baroque blues, a cross between the blues and classical genres. However, recently one of my tunes featured on this blog site, “Christmas Calm,” was shared on Twitter by Trancepulse Dublin Internet Radio. 

  Since then, I have been listening to a lot of trance music. I agree that my music is similar to trance, although my rhythm is not nearly as precise as what is digitally manufactured by electronic digital music (EDM).  However, I have used my music for meditative purposes, so I would say the label fits.

  In “Trance Music and Mental Health,” by Patrick, found on EDM World Magazine’s website, trance is credited with providing several mental health benefits. Patrick’s last name is not provided and the year of posting is not listed.

  “Think about the space within our brains used to remember song lyrics but not where we left our car keys,” Patrick writes. 

  With that observation in mind, Patrick tells how trance music helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression while increasing focus and relaxation. He notes that research studies have been conducted on how different genres provide different physical effects within our brains.  

  One of those studies can be found in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies, Volume 5, Issue 2, Oct. 15, 2021. In “Neurophysiological Effects of Various Music Genres on… EEG Cerebral Cortex Activity,” A.H. Rodriguez describes a study on different types of trance music. 

   Researchers found "improvements in mood, emotion and quality of life," the article states. 

  Subjects recruited by the University of Illinois listened to five different genres. Researchers found that subjects experienced brain activity similar to deep sleep while they listened to trance music. The subjects remained awake.   That explains how trance music can help to alleviate pain. 

  A historical review of literature provided by Rodriquez describes how the first recordings of music theory involved soldiers during World Wars I and II. Music therapy can also be found in writings from ancient cultures throughout the world.     

  Besides improving symptoms of mental health disorders, trance music can help improve cognition for people with either Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, Rodriguez writes.  

   Feel free to download and share my tune, “Trance Duce,” provided with this blog entry. I would love comments and this blog being shared on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Thanks.