Indian classical Mohana raga (instrumental music) overcomes anxiety, depression and memory impairment in chronic unpredictable mild stress rat model – A behavioural study
- PP319-328
Stress is a reaction to possibly threatening stimuli. Chronic stress leads to oxidative stress and damage to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, leading to anxiety disorders, depression, changes in synaptic plasticity, decreased neurogenesis, increased neurodegeneration, and impaired learning and memory. Music triggers emotional and cognitive aspects that help improve cognitive functions. Music therapy reduces anxiety, improves mood, and generates calming effects. The effect of Mohana Raga on human mental health is an interesting area of study, as Indian classical music, particularly ragas, is believed to have therapeutic potential. While there is limited specific research on Mohana Raga alone, there are studies and scholarly works that explore the general effects of Indian ragas, including Mohana, on mental health, emotional well-being, and psychological states. Also, listening to the raga Bhupali (Mohana) improved learning and memory. Animals were exposed to a chronic, unpredictable mild stress protocol for 28 days, followed by exposure to Indian classical music for 1 hour for 21 days, starting from the last week of the stress protocol. Post-treatment, the animals were subjected to an elevated plus maze, sucrose preference test, forced swim test, novel object recognition test, and T-maze alteration task for behavioural analysis. Animals exposed to chronic, unpredictable mild stress showed increased anxiety-like behaviour, anhedonia, behavioural despair, and impaired recognition and working memory. Remarkably, in stressed animals exposed to Indian classical music for one hour per day for 3 weeks, there was a complete recovery in anxiety, depression, and memory. In conclusion, our study posits that a short duration of music exposure is beneficial for chronic stress conditions.