Researchers at the Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, part of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, are investigating whether music could have a therapeutic role in cancer treatment.
Under the guidance of Dr. Márcia Alves Marques Capella, the team exposed both healthy and cancerous cell cultures to various music genres. Surprisingly, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 caused a 20% reduction in cancer cells within just a few days, while leaving healthy cells untouched. A similar result was observed with György Ligeti’s Atmosphères, but Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos showed no significant effect.
While the precise mechanism behind these outcomes is still unclear, researchers believe factors such as rhythm, frequency, or intensity might play a role. Additional studies, including music from Brazilian Samba and Funk, are planned to explore this intriguing discovery further. Though still in the early phases, this research offers an exciting look at the potential of music as a non-invasive cancer treatment.
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