BENEE and her producer, Josh Fountain, collaborated with neuroscientists from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) to create the track using musical elements that have been scientifically shown to reduce anxiety, like the key of C major, 60-80bpm, 4/4 time with limited syncopation and AABA structure.
Before the song was released, AUT carried out neurological and physiological testing on 18–25-year-olds to measure how their minds and bodies responded to hearing the track. Results showed listening to Bagels shifts young people into a calmer state, helping to ease anxious feelings.
In partnership with one of Aotearoa's top animation companies, the music video for Bagels was also created with anxiety-relieving science in mind. The video uses visual elements (such as continuous eye movement from left to right, which is a feature of EMDR therapy) that are designed to create a relaxing experience for viewers.
Youthline research found mental health to be one of the main issues young people in New Zealand are faced with today and anxiety among rangatahi is increasing.
We know there's no single solution to responding to anxiety but see this track as adding to the range of wellness resources young people can use to help when they're feeling anxious, such as around exams, before a tough conversation, or on a crowded bus. By making this available for free, we hope to reach as many young Kiwi as possible, continuing the kōrero on mental health and letting them know how this track can help.
Music can be a powerful brain stimulus, as listening to it can activate different neural networks. When it comes to reducing anxiety, scientific research has shown that musical cues like the key of C major, 4/4 timing with limited syncopation, AABA structure, and 60-80 bpm can have a profound effect.
Scientists from AUT's Department of Psychology and Neuroscience tested the track on 30 people aged 18-25 reporting mild to moderate anxiety symptoms.
Participants had their brain activity measured through electroencephalogram (EEG) testing while listening to six songs, including Bagels. Participants also rated their emotional response to the music and how each song affected anxious feelings.
Brain activity recordings containing more than 10 billion readings of participants' brain and automatic nervous system changes were captured, making this a highly robust and unprecedented neurological assessment of a song's ability to manage anxiety.
Published in pre-print journal, bioRxiv, and submitted to the esteemed peer-reviewed journal Psychophysiology, key findings from the research include:
Along with enabling Youthline's collaboration with BENEE, which will spotlight youth mental health and help more young people take some time for their mental health, ASB is supporting Youthline through:
ASB appointed Youthline as the official charity partner of the 2023 ASB Classic, and ASB also supported Youthline with a significant TV and social campaign to boost awareness of Youthline's Helpline.
All proceeds from streaming Bagels will go to Youthline and supporting the work they do.
We recommend these mental health help and support services.
