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A surprising cure for anxiety

By Pamela Allardice
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Photos by Getty Images

Sure, listening to music is enjoyable — but it seems it has hidden healing potential as well.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques indicate that music activates the brain’s ‘pleasure centres’, which in turn lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, and reduce depression and anxiety.

In a study from Temple University, Pennsylvania, patients who listened to music while undergoing a colonoscopy procedure needed less anti-anxiety medication – a full dose less – than a group who did not listen to music.

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