Musicians are more likely to develop mental illness
Overview
A recent study revealed that musically active people have on average a slightly higher genetic risk of developing depression and bipolar disorders.
This conclusion was reached by an international research team with the participation of the "Max Planck Institute", in the German city of Frankfurt.
In 2019, scientists found a link between the practice of musical activity and psychological problems. At that time, more than 10 thousand Swedes provided information about their musical activities and psychological well-being.
According to what was published by the magazine "Scientific Reports" at the time, the activists musically talked more about their suffering from symptoms of depression, psychological burnout, or psychosis.
Since the study participants were twins, the scientists were also able to take into account family influences such as genes and upbringing. The research team found at the time that musical activities and mental health problems were unlikely to be a product of each other.
Lead researcher laura wesseldijk said: "This means that individuals do not practice music as a reaction to their psychological problems or vice versa.. Rather, this link can be attributed to either common genetic factors or influences of the family environment, " he said.
Later, scientists expanded the scope of their research to include methods from molecular genetics and found that there is some overlap between genetic variants that have an impact on mental health and those that affect interest in musical practice. The results of this study were published in the journal "Translational Psychology".
Higher risk of depression and disorders
In this study, carried out by the Max Planck Institute the genetic relationship between mental health and music practice was examined, based on the DNA of more than 5,640 people.
The analysis showed that men and women with a higher genetic risk of depression and bipolar disorders, on average, were more involved in and practiced musical activity, and they also achieve a higher artistic level performance in it, regardless of whether they suffered from mental health problems.
At the same time, participants with a higher genetic predisposition to music were more likely to develop depression, regardless of whether they practiced music or not.
The lead researcher of this study, Miriam Mosing, summarizes the conclusion as follows:” The relationship between music practice and mental health is therefore very complex in general".
At the same time, musing stressed that these results do not exclude the positive effects of music on mental health, adding that it is certain that the practice of music has a positive or sometimes therapeutic effect on mental health.
A recent study has unveiled that individuals who engage in musical activities have a slightly elevated genetic predisposition to developing depression and bipolar disorders.
Conducted by an international research team in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute in Frankfurt, Germany, this study sheds light on the connection between musical activity and psychological well-being. In 2019, more than 10,000 Swedish participants provided insights into their musical practices and mental health conditions.
According to the findings published in the journal "Scientific Reports," musically active individuals were more prone to experiencing symptoms of depression, psychological burnout, and psychosis.
Given that the study included twins as participants, the researchers were able to account for familial influences, such as genetic factors and upbringing. The team concluded that musical activities and mental health problems were not necessarily causal, but rather linked due to common genetic factors or the influence of the family environment, as noted by lead researcher Laura Wesseldijk.
Subsequently, the researchers expanded their investigation by incorporating molecular genetics methodologies. They discovered an overlap between genetic variants impacting mental health and those influencing an inclination toward musical practice. The results of this extended study were published in the journal "Translational Psychology."
Examining the genetic relationship between mental health and musical practice, the Max Planck Institute study involved the DNA analysis of over 5,640 individuals. The analysis revealed that both men and women with a higher genetic risk of depression and bipolar disorders were more actively involved in musical activities, irrespective of their mental health status. Additionally, they exhibited a higher level of artistic performance. Furthermore, participants with a greater genetic predisposition towards music were more likely to experience depression, regardless of their engagement in musical practice.
Miriam Mosing, the lead researcher of this study, summarized the findings by emphasizing the complex nature of the relationship between music practice and mental health. However, she stressed that these results do not negate the positive effects of music on mental well-being. Music practice certainly has a beneficial, and at times, therapeutic impact on mental health.
