Does heavy metal music cause depression?

The heavy music fans showed significantly higher symptoms of depression and anxiety than the non-fans; however, there was no difference between the two groups on trait anger. Gowensmith and Bloom (1997) found that heavy metal fans did not show an increase in anger after listening to heavy metal music.

Is heavy metal bad for your mental health?

Rather than causing depression or making it worse, heavy metal can actually help reduce negative emotions. What’s more, it can also reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.

What are heavy metal fans called?

Heavy metal fans go by a number of different names, including metalhead, headbanger, hesher, mosher, and thrasher, being used only for fans of thrash metal, which began to differentiate itself from other varieties of metal in the late 80s.

Why do I listen to heavy metal?

Listening to metal is an act of solidarity and helps boost self-esteem in a form of catharsis. While this research may not be representative of the whole metal community, it is an important step towards understanding the psychological appeal of metal and avoid stereotyping its listeners as angry or violent people.

Do you dislike heavy metal music?

I don’t dislike heavy metal music, but I like a lot of metal bands, especially iron maiden, nightwish, and eventually I had collection of cassettes of morbid angel, cof, slayer and lots. At that time I was depressed and I liked the music. Now when darkness and depression left, I dislike metal now.

Why do metal fans like metal?

When metal bands get too popular (e.g. Metallica), the true metalheads renounce them. To me, the more interesting question is why metal fans like metal, given that it defies most of the conventions that make music palatable. I admire metal for its virtuosity, musical adventurousness, and commitment to pushing the envelope.

Are metal fans more prone to mental health issues?

A study on the link between mental health and metal fans from France shows that the baseline rates of mental health issues (depression, anxiety, suicide) are similar to those of the general population; sometimes, even lower.

Why do people listen to extreme music?

It helps them regulate their emotions, overcome suicidal thoughts, and occupy their sensory environment. Extreme forms of music give people a sense of relateability and shared communal support (death metal, doom metal) if they are predisposed to negative outcomes.