On Musical Identities, Social Pharmacology, and Intervention Timing in Music Therapy

Abstract

How do antidepressants or recreational drugs influence the music experience in the context of therapy or during music performance and listening? Using drugs to enhance performance we can describe a complementary interaction between lifestyle, personal identity and drugs, influencing musical identities in creative processes. Treating depressed clients with individual psychodynamic music therapy (MT) worked well with those also taking anti-depressants, but also initiated a process in which the need for medication started to decrease. While antidepressants may help to keep anxiety, energy loss and rumination within limits, MT induces a process in which emotional limitations are likely to become the target of change, mediated via work on the musical identity of the client, as exemplified in a case example Research on chronobiological mood bias suggests that chronobiological conditions, drug profiles and musical identity should be taken into account. This chronobiological conditions, drug profiles and musical identity into account may help to identify performance peaks and optimise treatment schedules.