Running, Dancing & Singing

In this series on brain health, we plan to dig into the research around the traditional contemplative practices recommended by Dr. Michael Yellowbird for healing, decolonizing our mind, and restoring well-being. Dr. Yellowbird, MSW, PhD, is Dean and Professor of the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. He is also an enrolled member of the MHA Nation (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) in the States (North Dakota). We recently watched his presentations through the Canadian Association of Social Work entitled The Power of Ceremony: Indigenous Contemplating Practices, Neurodecolonization, and Indigenous Mindfulness.  

11 Traditional Practices for Healing (Yellowbird, M): 

1. Running, Dancing, and Singing 
2. Sleep
3. Laughing & humor
4. Collectivism 
5. Intermittent Fasting
6. Meditation
7. Hormetic (Adaptive) Stress
8. Being Outside   

We’re looking at the research behind the first traditional practice listed from the Frontiers of Behavioral Neuroscience (Stone et al., 2018): An Analysis of Endocannabinoid Concentrations and Mood Following Singing and Exercise in Healthy Volunteers 

What do we already know?

-Singing and dancing, especially as a group activity, are associated with positive moods.  

-Singing and dancing have been a very important ceremonial practice across culture, time, and space.  

-Running results in an increase in mood due, in part, to circulating endocannabinoids (eCBs), which are molecules involved in reward, appetite, mood, memory, and neuroprotection.

What did they do?

Nine heathy post-menopausal women (mean age 61) were recruited from a local choir to participate in this study. They were brought to the test site for four days. Upon arriving, they filled out a questionnaire regarding mood and hunger. Blood pressure was measured and blood samples were taken. They participated in a different activity for 30 minutes across all four days (reading, singing, cycling, and dance.) Blood samples were taken after the activity too.  

What did they want to know?

The researchers wanted to understand whether other activities – beyond running – impact the endocannabinoid system, and thus mood.  

What did they find?

They showed, for the first time, that singing significantly increases circulating endocannabinoids (levels of AEA, OEA, and PEA) in healthy post-menopausal females, thus enhancing mood. They also showed that dance had a positive effect on mood, and cycling had a positive effect on plasma levels of eCBs.   

What does this mean?

This research suggests activities other than running can increase plasma eCB levels, and that individuals’ preference to a particular activity could be an important factor involved in this mechanism. The authors state, “This preliminary evidence suggests that activities like singing could be recommended to individuals suffering from mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as a potential therapy for neurological and inflammatory conditions.” 

Limitations & Considerations:  

-The participants were recruited from a local choir, which suggests that the enjoyment of an activity may influence the eCB response.  

-All participants were in good health. One had an inhaler and two were prescribed anti-depressive, anti-anxiety medications.  

-The prescribed activities, such as cycling, may not have been intense enough to induce significant changes in circulating eCBs.  

 In Conclusion:  

Dr. Yellowbird suggests to get our heart rates up and do a chosen, preferred, enjoyable activity. This can impact the circulating levels of endocannabinoid and may underlie rewarding and pleasurable effects – which is so important to our mental health, cognition, and memory.  

For people with mobility concerns, increasing your heart rate could also look like engaging in an activity such as swimming, stationary biking, sitting in a sauna, taking cold showers, and of course, SINGING! 

Source:

This part two series webinar with Dr. Yellowbird and the CASW is not available without a subscription. However, a snap shot of this webinar can be found here:  

Buddhism, Psychology & Mental Health Program, UofT. (2022, Nov. 16). Decolonizing the Mind: Traditional Healing Contemplative Practices – Dr. Michael Yellow Bird [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekLTQoSjWuQ 

Stone, et al., (2018). An analysis of endocannabinoid concentrations and mood following singing and exercise in Healthy Volunteers. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00269