Metalheads, throw those horns up and celebrate! Science has confirmed that listening to heavy metal is indeed good for your mental health.
According to psychology professor Nick Perham, “Recently published research has shown that fans do not become sensitized to violence . . . Indeed, studies have shown long-term fans were happier in their youth and better adjusted in middle age compared to their non-fan counterparts.”
He also notes that when you listen to metal while angry, it does not make you angrier. It actually has the opposite effect, it makes you more positive, which makes it a, “healthy and functional way of processing anger.”
Listening to heavy metal apparently also makes you more generous. One study found that participants filled others’ cups of water more than those who weren’t listening to anything.
Perhaps the most interesting thing is that heavy metal can do for you is promote scientific thinking. And it’s not because of crazy riffs or intense vocals…no. It’s because metalheads have to argue harder for their music. Metal has the reputation of being satanic or evil, so coming up with counterpoints actually sharpens your critical thinking skills to form a logical argument.
Basically – HEAVY METAL RULZ!