The most soothing music ever recorded: A surprising health benefit
Twelve years ago, ambient music group Marconi Union composed what has since been called the most relaxing song ever recorded. Their track, “Weightless”, didn’t just top music therapy playlists—it became a subject of scientific scrutiny for its power to reduce stress.
But the implications go far beyond mood. Emerging evidence suggests that managing stress with tools like music can have broader health benefits—even for kidney health.
The Science of Sound
Mindlab International (University of Sussex) study participants were asked to solve a complex puzzle engineered to induce stress. Various tracks played during the task and the subjects were physiologically monitored. The standout? “Weightless”, which reduced anxiety by 65%, slowed resting heart rate by 35%, and decreased cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. It also resulted in greater relaxation than a massage and was noted to be 11% more effective than the other tracks. Incidentally, music was more effective drinking a cup of tea, going for a walk or playing video games.
According to Liz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, the song’s structure was scientifically engineered. It begins at 60 beats per minute (BPM) and gradually slows to 50 BPM, syncing the listener’s heart rate to this gentle rhythm. Its eight-minute length allows for entrainment—where biological rhythms match external stimuli like music.
Stress and the Kidneys: An Overlooked Link
Chronic stress silently contributes to kidney disease by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to persistent elevations in cortisol and sympathetic nervous system activity. Over time, this can cause:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Increased glomerular pressure
- Proteinuria
- Faster progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Stress also impacts self-care in patients with kidney disease—affecting medication adherence, diet, and lifestyle habits.
Music therapy has shown promise in nephrology, particularly in dialysis settings, where it can:
- Lower pre-dialysis anxiety
- Reduce systolic blood pressure
- Improve quality-of-life scores
Just 30 minutes of relaxing music during dialysis can significantly reduce cortisol, offering both psychological and physiological relief.
Top 10 Scientifically Backed Songs for Stress Relief
- Marconi Union – “Weightless” – Developed with sound therapists, reduces anxiety by 65% and lowers resting heart rate by 35%.
- Claude Debussy – “Clair de Lune” – Dreamlike piano piece activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Arvo Pärt – “Spiegel im Spiegel” – Minimalist duet fostering meditative stillness and reduced amygdala activation.
- Enya – “Watermark” – Ethereal piano and ambient textures recommended for lowering cortisol.
- Erik Satie – “Gymnopédie No. 1” – Lullaby-like pace used in music therapy for lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
- Coldplay – “Strawberry Swing” – Uplifting track with relaxed brainwave patterns.
- All Saints – “Pure Shores” – Ambient pop with textures linked to deep relaxation.
- Ludovico Einaudi – “Nuvole Bianche” – Minimalist piano increasing alpha brainwave activity.
- Mozart – “Canzonetta Sull’aria” – Classical harmonies associated with reduced anxiety.
- Sigur Rós – “Hoppípolla” – Expansive soundscapes shown to lower cortisol.
You can listen to the whole playlist here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLteTXJxTq7uUVr8HVBX4vtUxrMMxj85or&si=Q_77DzRn9DgUbA9q
References
- Mindlab International. Neuroscience Study on Music and Relaxation. Brighton, UK, 2011.
- Chanda, M.L., & Levitin, D.J. (2013). The Neurochemistry of Music. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(4), 179–193.
- Thoma, M.V., et al. (2013). The Effect of Music on the Human Stress Response. PLoS ONE, 8(8), e70156.
- Koelsch, S. (2010). Towards a Neural Basis of Music-Evoked Emotions. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 14(3), 131–137.
About the Author
Dr Gavril Hercz
Dr. Gavril Hercz is a nephrologist at Humber River Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto. He completed his psychoanalytic training at the Toronto Psychoanalytic Institute and is a member of the Canadian Psychoanalytic Society. His major area of interest is the impact of physical illness on patients, families, and caregivers.
Twelve years ago, ambient music group Marconi Union composed what has since been called the most relaxing song ever recorded. Their track, "Weightless", didn’t just top music therapy playlists—it became a subject of scientific scrutiny.
