Music as Medicine: How We Can Harness Its Therapeutic Power

by Daniel J. Levitin

Brought to you by Penguin.

From the bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Music and The Organized Mind, a surprising and inspiring exploration of the healing power of music.

We are only just beginning to appreciate the healing power of music. In recent years, a wave of scientific research has upended everything we once knew about its effects on our not only in reducing stress, but also in enhancing cognitive function, slowing the spread of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, even strengthening our immune systems.

Here, a neuroscientist and celebrated musician introduces a bold new paradigm for medical treatment, rooted in the unexpected influence of music on our minds and bodies. From explaining how ‘rhythmic auditory stimulation’ can fight multiple sclerosis, to examining why Tracy Chapman’s songs might just help cure PTSD, Professor Daniel Levitin offers surprising insights into the new science of music as medicine.

Along the way, he explores how each of us can use music to calm our thoughts, repair our memories and heal our deepest psychological wounds. The result is both a surprising tour through the science of music, and a joyful celebration of humanity’s oldest obsession.

‘As knowledgeable a guide to neuroscience as one might hope for.’ New York Times Book Review

‘Music as Medicine showcases Daniel J. Levitin’s expertise in all genres of music as well as experimental neuroscience. No one else in the universe could have written this book.’ Neil deGrasse Tyson

‘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. Although I know this happens to me and many people, I have often wondered how this can be. Dr Levitin, in this latest book, Music as Medicine, has some fascinating insights into this great phenomenon.’ Paul McCartney

‘Daniel J. Levitin is a visionary neuroscientist, an extraordinary musician, a brilliant writer - and this is his best book yet. Music as Medicine is inspiring and illuminating, as deep as it is delightful.’ Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness

Daniel Levitin 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Health, Psychology, Science, Self Help, Neuroscience

Audible Audio

Published January 23, 2025

About the author

Daniel J. Levitin runs the Laboratory for Musical Perception, Cognition and Expertise at McGill University, where he holds the Bell Chair in the Psychology of Electronic Communication. Before becoming a neuroscientist, he worked as a session musician, sound engineer and record producer. He has written extensively both in scientific journals and music trade magazines such as Grammy and Billboard.

http://daniellevitin.com/levitinlab/L...

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Reviews

[Stephanie C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy on music, which you will enjoy if you are a connoisseur or musician, especially in jazz; light on science which I was really hoping for. I do appreciate the tie-ins to music as healing for trauma, Alzheimer’s, pain, and overall mental health. However, much of the data is not exactly practical for therapy or even for the layperson who is not a musician. Still, you get a QR code with the book, so you can enjoy the actual music that he discusses at great length.

[Clare Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The science of music and the best form of medicine. Highly researched, technical and over my head in areas but thoroughly interesting.

“The ability music has to engage us wholly and completely is one of the reasons it can be such a powerful therapeutic agent. For it is out of a loss of the sense of self that we can achieve true healing and reintegration”.

[Aislinn Toner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really interesting, not something I would have picked up normally. Enjoyed it and lots of research noted here

[Alta Cloete]

A wonderful book about the latest research into the healing power of music, endorsed by none other than Sir Paul McCartney. The author is a psychologist, neurologist and musician, so he really knows what he is talking about.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5
It's fascinating how special music is - not just from an emotional perspective or personal enjoyment, but also from a neuroscientific one. This book definitely shares some interesting research. I also quite enjoyed the glimpse into the author's related experiences - he seems to lead a very interesting life!
Sometimes the book drift a bit into other, more general aspects of music that I as a musician am already familiar with and wouldn't have needed to focus on - a bit more depth when it comes to how some of the actual therapies work would have been more interesting to me. Still, a very interesting read overall!

[Fernando Fernandes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an OK book that offers a decent "humanistic argument" for music's role in enhancing well-being. I find the explanations about the chemical and biological effects of music particularly interesting. It certainly changed my perspective on music as a whole. However, the book can be quite boring and sometimes overly technical. The title is misleading, as the author is clearly pro-music and seems to draw conclusions based on generalizations from limited studies. The title "Music as Medicine" might not be the most accurate choice, as it raises questions about the specific capabilities of music.

[Ginebra Lavao Lizcano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an entrancing book, written by what it seems to be a man full of energy and curiosity for life. I was surprised at the amount of psychology and physiology that corroborated the message of the author, and to learn about how different people perceive and can be affected by music. You can tell the author is an absolute nerd about music in the way he references songs and tunes all through the book, which I appreciated. The end was quite heavy and my least favorite part, but I can appreciate how someone with a lot of knowledge in music theory would drool over it. Overall: very good.

[Colin Stump · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authoritative and comprehensive, but quite technical in many places.
The first third of the book is very good, almost a revelation. The middle part of the book covers research into the impact of music on numerous medical and mental conditions, so of interest but you’re likely to skim through this unless you have specific interests in certain conditions. The final third is interesting but becomes quite technical in places. A prior knowledge of music theory will help comprehension!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a FANTASTIC book and I totally geeked out while reading it. I learned so many new things, remembered so many wonderful things about music from my childhood (both listened and played) and generally enjoyed learning more about the brain and music. If you are interested in music and/or the brain, I highly recommend this book. I'm also already planning to read the author's other book (mentioned on the cover).

[Darius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neapsimesiu, kad viską supratau. Kai kada autorius panardindavo į medicininius ar muzikinius terminus, kur mano kuklios žinios nebepaveždavau ir pradėdavau skęsti. Bet tuoj pat paslaugi ranka už pakarpos ištraukdavo ir gailestingai leisdavo įkvėpti. Buvo įdomių vietų, buvo kiek kiek mažiau įdomių, bet bendrai balansas neblogas.

[Isabel Street · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book! Super in depth about an array of musical topics through medicine, therapies and general thoughts on music. Chapters vary in some feeling very academic and focused, and some a slightly easier read.
Worth a read if you’re a music fan/nerd, and interested in the meaning and details behind music and music therapy

[Catriona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music as Medicine is the title of the book, but music as a literally life-changing, universal, and yet deeply individual experience is the overall theme. I suspect this book will not be quite sciency enough for the scientists, and at times confusingly sciency for people like me, but nonetheless I enjoyed every page and I learned a lot about the incredible power of music.
Highly recommended.

[Miglė · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a diligently researched book, equally scientific and artistic.

I would have loved to hear more about the mechanisms behind the research results, but I appreciated the wide range of studies covered - and the sense of humour they were covered with.

[Nick Calligeros · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a book about music therapy it bizarrely avoids discussing music therapy as a profession, with only a brief mention of different music therapy methods in the glossary. I was confused for much of the book if it was indeed discussing music therapy or music a therapeutic tool.

[Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the language and formatting can make the book hard to properly interpret at times it is so far a really insightful and comprehensive view into the landscape of the human brain and how music interacts with it.

[Keith Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and stretched my understanding of how music and the brain can work in harmony

[Hannah Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book on understanding music and the need for music. I had read 'This is your Brain on Music' and this takes the ideas onward. I will definitely read this again.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk how to explain it but I didn’t like the way it was organized and designed, the writing was half way there for me, but the content amazing!

[Oscar Clink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was good and very interesting but a very tricky read, lots of jargon. Had to take breaks from it so my brain didn’t cook.

[Melissa]

5 books self help

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! Deep! Written by a neuroscientist/musician. Very informative and helpful. Music therapy will be big in the future. Definitely one of the best books I read this year.

[Umma]

It goes without saying, this is a phenomenal book. It’s well researched and packed with many insightful parts. The areas that cover music therapy are interesting. Something that’s usually glossed over, can have such a profound impact; whether it’s Parkinson’s disease or people dealing with a traumatic event in their life.

I really enjoyed some of the technical aspects and it took me back a bit when describing music patterns such as ABA, AAB etc.

Music is interesting in the way it shapes us at humans. It brings people together, it enables a sense of belonging and conveys emotions within people. This book addresses how we can use music to shape our own lives for the good.