Malcolm Chavez

Staff Writer

         Music has a place for everybody. For a lot of different people, it can be a job, an escape, a way to express themselves, or a lifestyle.

         NorthShore, an academic health system affiliated with the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, depicted various benefits of listening and creating music. NorthShore states that music increases workout efficiency. In addition, top workout tracks can boost physical performance and increase endurance during a tough exercise session. “Every time I listen to music in the gym I feel focused and driven to keep pushing through the workout. I feel as though I am more efficient when I listen to music because it hypes me up,” stated by senior, Will Phelan. In contrast, senior, Sean Park listens to music when he does homework or when he studies. “I feel more focused when I listen to music while I do my homework and it puts me in the zone to complete it before jumping in to do other activities.”

         Although many sources lead to the conclusion that music is extremely beneficial, other sources including the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) oppose the idea. AACAP explained, “destructive ideas contribute to the glamorization of drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, and violent or inappropriate sexual messages.” Several songs in today’s music industry mention sexual activities, drugs, alcohol, and other bad influences, however, references to these topics are made everywhere, including bulletin boards, television, and the people around them. For some people, music is the only way to escape from people’s daily routines and is a way to enjoy something new. 

         People tend to also match the music they listen to with the emotions they’re currently feeling. According to a psychologist, Adrian North, from Curtin University in Australia, humans tend to receive a certain pleasure when the music matches their mood. This is caused by the hormonal release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with food, sex, and drugs, which happens when people listen to music. Junior, Jack Dawid says, “I listen to both rap and country. When I do listen to country I’m usually happy and free but when I choose to listen to rap I’m more chill  because of the melodies and beats.” Mike Young adds on by stating, “I agree with Jack, I also listen to rap and I only listen to it when I’m chilling with friends and when I’m just driving around. However, I do also listen to old R&B music which I only listen to when I’m going about my day because it matches the way I feel which is happy and mellow.”

        For others, music is something that is crucial to their lifestyles. Some people have trouble sleeping and music is a way for them to get a good night’s sleep. Senior, Tyler Griffin states, “I’m not sure why listening to music helps me sleep at night but every time I listen to music before I sleep I feel more alive in the morning and I fall asleep way faster than I would when I don’t listen to music.” According to Sleep by the National Sleep Foundation, listening to music helps a person of any age sleep faster, wake up less during the night, and feel more rested in the morning because of the “feel-good” hormones released.