Music as Medicine: How We Can Harness Its Therapeutic Power

Daniel Levitin, the bestselling author behind This Is Your Brain on Music and The Organized Mind, returns with Music as Medicine, an instantly successful Sunday Times bestseller that offers a surprising and genuinely inspiring exploration into the therapeutic potential of sound. As the Observer aptly notes, it's "fascinating," while the Financial Times deems it "fun and thoughtful," and Rolling Stone calls it "eye-opening."

Levitin reveals that we are only just beginning to truly understand the profound healing power of music. Recent scientific research has dramatically altered our previous understanding of its effects on the brain, demonstrating its capabilities not only in alleviating stress but also in bolstering cognitive function, potentially slowing the progression of neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, and even strengthening our body's defences.

Here, a distinguished neuroscientist and accomplished musician presents a bold new framework for medical treatment, grounded in the often-unexpected influence of music on our minds and bodies. From explaining how "rhythmic auditory stimulation" can aid in the fight against multiple sclerosis to considering why the songs of Tracy Chapman might hold a key to healing PTSD, Professor Levitin offers genuinely surprising insights into the burgeoning science of music as medicine.

Crucially, he also explores how each of us can harness the power of music to quieten our minds, mend our memories, and address our deepest psychological scars. The result is a captivating journey through the science of music, intertwined with a joyful celebration of humanity's oldest and most enduring obsession.

Paul McCartney eloquently captures the central mystery explored in the book: "For many years I have wondered why a bunch of frequencies organised into a piece of music has the ability, even without words, to make the listener cry and become emotional... Dr Levitin, in this latest book, Music as Medicine, has some fascinating insights into this great phenomenon." The Daily Mail rightly observes that "It's impossible to read this book without thinking of the music that has meant a lot to you in your own life," highlighting the book's personal resonance. Levitin, as the Guardian notes, is a "natural communicator - warm, friendly, and geekily enthused about his subject," making even complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging. Music as Medicine is a compelling and hopeful read for anyone interested in the profound and often untapped power of music to heal and enhance our lives.