The Health Benefits of Drumming: Less Stress, Lower Blood Pressure, Pain Relief, and Altered States of Consciousness

Drumming—from tablas to tympani to djembes—is universal, so much so, says author Sayer Ji, that it seems “hard-wired into our biological, social and spiritual DNA.” Drumming may well be “an inborn capacity and archetypal social activity.” But many modern people have become alienated from the drum. We outsource drumming to professionals, and machines. Neuroscientists theorize that drummers may have different brains than “non-drummers”—findings that suggest the activity is confined to specially-designed people. Not so, say many scientists who believe that “drumming has some profound and holistic uses,” as Luke Sumpter writes at Reset.me, “to enhance physical, mental and emotional health.”

In addition to anthropological evidence noting the centrality of drumming to human culture, abundant research has demonstrated its potential for personal healing. While drum therapy may be nothing new for cultures who have retained the practice, those who haven’t can learn group drumming easily enough with teachers like Peter Marino in the short clip above. The benefits, as studies have shown, include reduced stress and increased immunity. Group drumming may reduce anxiety and blood pressure, it may work as pain relief and boost positive emotions, and may even lead to “improved executive function” and a growth in white matter in the brains of patients with Huntington’s disease and other neurological conditions.

The evidence-based approach to group drumming’s socio-physical benefits should sway skeptics, even those likely to see drum circle therapy as some kind of hippy-dippy woo. Science-minded people without such hangups may also take an interest in studies of drumming as a “shamanic” activity that “induces specific subjective experiences.” As Michael Drake reports, one recent study “demonstrates that even a brief drumming session can double alpha brain wave activity,” which is “associated with meditation, shamanic trance, and integrative modes of consciousness.” Drumming with others “produces greater self-awareness” as well as a sense of interconnectedness, and can strengthen social bonds among adults as well as children.

While much of the writing about group drumming as therapy stresses more intangible, mystical benefits, no small amount of data suggests that the physical effects are measurable and significant. This is not to minimize the musical prowess of your favorite drummers, or to belittle the musical value of machine-made beats. But the research strongly suggests that not only is most everyone able to pick up a drum and get into a groove, but also that most everyone who does so will be happier, healthier, and more peaceful and tuned-in.

via Reset

Related Content:

The Neuroscience of Drumming: Researchers Discover the Secrets of Drumming & The Human Brain

Playing an Instrument Is a Great Workout For Your Brain: New Animation Explains Why

Isolated Drum Tracks From Six of Rock’s Greatest: Bonham, Moon, Peart, Copeland, Grohl & Starr

Brian Eno Lists the Benefits of Singing: A Long Life, Increased Intelligence, and a Sound Civilization

Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness.


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Comments (6)
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  • Sarah Harriman says:

    As a drummer, I totally agree. When we’re all drumming together, it’s like magic. I’m part of it but separate all at the same time. I am SO glad I started drumming a couple of years ago.
    Thanks for the article and links. All very interesting.
    Sarah.

  • Judy says:

    Is there a group druming in Toronto you recommend? Please provide contact. I am a novice, interested to learn drumming.

    Thank you,
    Judy

  • Woody Wazzo says:

    Man, I’m guessing that if Buddy Rich had never picked up a drum stick, he would have turned into an axe-murderer. He was one intense, short-fused SOB even with all that rhythm therapy!

  • Gale says:

    What about group drumming near Wasilla, AK.?

  • Hemmy says:

    I love drumming
    Am really happy whenever am on it
    It really good to be a drummer

  • Vivian Black says:

    I thought it was very interesting when I read your information about how drumming sessions can increase alpha brain wave activity which is like meditation and it can even make more self-awareness. My son wants to learn how to play the drums so he can join a neighborhood band. He is not sure when he wants to start. I will let him know of these additional benefits so we can move on to finding him some drum lessons and get him started.

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