This blog post was first published as a LinkedIn article.

Music is arguably the most accessible, affordable, scalable, and yet underutilized “active ingredient” for both the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders. Evidence-based research confirms that MUSIC can reduce depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress.1

How can musicians, music streaming platforms, big tech and consumer electronics companies transform mental health care?

Can the FDA approve MUSIC for depression? No, but the FDA can issue market authorization of a mobile medical app delivering MUSIC for depression! Welcome to the world of music-based digital therapeutics and digital health technologies to support mental health care. For those unfamiliar with mobile medical apps, explore the Digital Therapeutics Alliance website.

Here are 4 ways to scale up the impact of music on mental health care:

1. Increase the amount of music as an “active ingredient” in digital therapeutics (DTx). Companies like MedRhythms or Lucid Therapeutics already harness the medicinal properties of music. Other companies, like Pear Therapeutics or Feel Therapeutics, can also incorporate personalized music playlists when developing DTx for people living with depression and anxiety.
2. Expand music streaming applications for mental health care. Which company, Spotify, Tidal or Deezer, is open to collaborative development and validation of #musicstreaming algorithms for depression and anxiety, as presented in this Frontiers in Public Health article? There is also an opportunity for streaming services to partner with wearable companies (Fitbit, Oura Ring, Apple Watch) to offer biofeedback-based personalized playlists.
3. Multiply the number of homes that bring “precision” music indoors. Consumer electronics companies (Sony, Samsung) enable the design of health-focused home environments fostering a multisensory experience and restoring the nervous system. For example, Samsung’s The Frame TV can deliver therapeutic interventions for depression — to learn more, explore our peer-reviewed article Healthy Dwelling.
4. Promote the health benefits of music using marketing and advertising. Every company associated with music can boost public awareness about how music decreases depressive symptoms. To learn how to bridge marketing with health education, explore our peer-reviewed article and the recent press release.

This graph provides examples of companies that already have assets to scale up music for mental health care. Since the U.S. health care spending in 2021 was over $4 trillion (and is projected to reach over $6 trillion in 2028), expanding the value proposition for music [via health care applications] can become a lucrative opportunity.

Amazon and Apple. Amazon delivers music via its streaming platform Amazon Music and smart speakers, while Apple’s repertoire of assets includes iTunes, the iPhone and Apple Watch (enabling biofeedback-based precision delivery of music).

Sony and Samsung. Sony has a music label and a range of music-delivery tools ranging from audio speakers to smartphones. Samsung offers at-home wellness and health care via Samsung Health, The Frame TV and Galaxy Watch4. Did you know about a health care partnership between Samsung Electronics and HealthTap?

Spotify and YouTube. Over 400 million Spotify users can enjoy diverse playlists for relaxation and stress relief, while YouTube has over 2 billion users worldwide.

What can YOU do to scale-up music for mental health care?

1. If you are a music lover and well-being fan, please expand awareness about the music-health connections by engaging influencers like Beyonce, The Juilliard School, Angelique Kidjo, Bono, Taylor Swift, Max Richter, Justin Timberlake, Tiwa Savage, Vienna Philharmonic, Renée Fleming, Shakira, Brandie Carlile, Andrea Bocelli, Ariana Grande, and others.
2. If you are a compassionate leader, a visionary executive, an ESG investor, and an enthusiastic philanthropist, be a catalyst for scaling up music for mental health care.

To expand the prospects, did you know that listening to music can relieve pain (yes, it is analgesic!), improve neurorehabilitation after a stroke, or decrease cognitive deficits in people living with dementia.2 Remarkably, specific music compositions, such as Mozart’s sonata K.448 can significantly reduce seizures in children and adults with epilepsy.3

In summary, scaling up music for health can help a lot of people.