Transcripts

Dr. Mitchell Gaynor:
We know, for instance, even babies that are born premature that are in neonatal ICUs, that they gain weight faster and they leave the intensive care unit earlier when they're sung to every day.

Dr. Mitch Gaynor, author of the book, The Healing Power Of Sound, has used music and sound in his own medical practice, and says that studies have shown that music has an effect even on people with very serious illness.

For instance, people with Parkinson's Disease, they've improved dramatically with music and tone. People that are recovering from cardiac bypass surgery have been found to have fewer complications, lower blood pressure, and less abnormal heart rhythms after having heart surgery when music is incorporated into the post-operative period. When somebody has just general surgery, it's been found that they need about 43% less anesthesia and less pain medication if they're allowed to listen to music during surgery and immediately post-operatively.

And as you might imagine, music can have a first aid effect on us when we're stressed out.

It's been found listening to any music that you find pleasant--and it can be from jazz to new age to chants to classical music--lowers their response to stressful situations.

At somethingyoushouldknow.net I'm Mike Carruthers and that's Something You Should Know.