OFF THE TOP HEAD BANG YOUR WORRIES AWAY

Heavy metal is one of the most effective music genres for lowering blood pressure and anxiety levels, a new study suggests. Researchers asked 1,540 volunteers aged between 18 and 65 to wear heart rate and blood pressure monitors while they did reasoning tests and listened to various Spotify playlists. Heavy metal was the second-most successful in reducing stress, lowering blood pressure in 89 per cent of participants. The only genre more effective was ’80s pop, at 96 per cent. “Angry music can help listeners process their feelings and as a result lead to greater well-being,” said doctor Ömer Avlanmı, of the Turkey-based hair transplant hospital Vera Clinic, which ran the study. And “1980s pop hits could have positive nostalgia attached to them for many people, and their upbeat, party-like sounds can induce the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain, both increasing feelings of happiness and calm.”