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Chapter 16 - Addiction

Music over Chocolate

from Part Four - How Music Helps with Illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2025

Stefan Koelsch
Affiliation:
University of Bergen
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Summary

This chapter explores the widespread issue of addiction, focusing on sugar addiction as a prevalent yet often overlooked example. It compares the addictive potential of sugar to cocaine, highlighting the detrimental health consequences of excessive sugar consumption. The chapter also examines the neural mechanisms underlying addiction, explaining how the brain’s pleasure system adapts to frequent drug use, leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Music is presented as a potential antidote to addiction, offering distraction, mood regulation, and alternative sources of pleasure. Research suggests that music therapy can be a promising intervention for individuals struggling with addiction, as it activates the brain’s pleasure pathways and fosters social connection. The chapter also discusses the importance of personalized playlists in addiction management, emphasizing the need to avoid music associated with past addictive behaviours. It concludes by offering practical recommendations for utilizing music to overcome cravings, regulate emotions, and build resilience in the face of addiction. The potential of music therapy to address the underlying emotional and social factors contributing to addiction is also highlighted.

Type
Chapter
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Good Vibrations
Unlocking the Healing Power of Music
, pp. 272 - 280
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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  • Addiction
  • Stefan Koelsch, University of Bergen
  • Book: Good Vibrations
  • Online publication: 01 May 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009366755.022
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  • Addiction
  • Stefan Koelsch, University of Bergen
  • Book: Good Vibrations
  • Online publication: 01 May 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009366755.022
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Addiction
  • Stefan Koelsch, University of Bergen
  • Book: Good Vibrations
  • Online publication: 01 May 2025
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009366755.022
Available formats
×