Dancing for Dopamine

Sherri Woodbridge avatar

by Sherri Woodbridge |

Share this article:

Share article via email
music, dancing, visual hallucinations, antipsychotics

Sherri Journeying Through

I have been starving for music lately. I am not great at technology stuff, and my husband has much of our media set up so that if I get ahold of the remote control for the music-player thingy, it’s safe to say my husband will soon be working on bringing our technology stuff back to life.

But the other day, I decided to brave it while he wasn’t home because, as I said, I was starving for music. And not just any old music, but some good ol’ Steven Curtis Chapman-style music. Some Chris Tomlin-style music. After finally getting Alexa (the other woman in our home who is technologically very friendly) to finally stop taking a survey from me, and me screaming “ALEXA, STOP!” at the top of my lungs for 10 minutes, I somehow finally got a song to start playing.

During my starvation period, I had begun to feel down. I know that Parkinson’s can assist in making your blue days even bluer, and mine were becoming a dark blue. I wasn’t about to give up hope and decided to put on some music while my husband visited the dentist as I watched my 3-year-old grandson.

For the most part, I cannot play music softly. I have to crank it up and feel it. I’m not talking about the music that my brother used to listen to on the way to school. You know, the kind of music that leaves you shaking out of your skin because the volume is so loud, the drums reverberate inside the speakers, and the electric guitars screech as screech-ily as they can. This was not the kind of music that researchers say relieves the symptoms of depression or eases pain. This was not the kind of music that others say benefits our physical and mental health in many ways. No. This was the kind of music that you don’t want to listen to when your blue skies have turned to gray.

I was reading an article today that said it was recently discovered that dopamine is released when you are listening to music (specifically NOT heavy metal/techno or the like). It also showed that dopamine levels are up to 9 percent higher for those who listen to music. It was also noted that music can increase your focus levels.

After I read that, I cranked up my little techno helper Alexa, and after about six tries, she started playing a Steven Curtis Chapman song. Chapman has never let me down when he sings. He always plays the right song at the right time. Finn (my 3-year-old grandson) came into the kitchen where I was and started dancing. I picked him up and we danced together and he giggled and giggled. And I didn’t know it while we danced across the kitchen floor, but my dopamine levels were very happy. And that made all of me very, very happy.

***

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.

Comments

Neva Madon avatar

Neva Madon

I work as a 24 live in care. My client has a Parkinson disease. I am interested to know as much as possible about this disease.

Reply
Sherri Woodbridge avatar

Sherri Woodbridge

Hi Neva - One of my dearest friends was named Neva... makes me miss her all over again. Your client is lucky to have you in that you want to know and learn more about their disease to better help them . Many blessings to you!!! My suggestion would be to check out these sites:

http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons - This is a link to the Parkinson’s Foundation

https://www.michaeljfox.org/understanding-parkinsons/ - this is a link to the Michael J Fox Foundation

You have already found Parkinson’s News Today (here) which has tons of valuable info.

There are tons of books on PD now - I would take a look on Amazon as it depends on what specifically you’re looking for.

I have a blog called Parkinson’s Journey you might want to look at - www.parkinsonsjourney.com. - It is basically my thoughts and experiences as they pertain to PD. There is also a list there of other blogs you might be interested in looking at.

I would also recommend a support group of some sort - there are several on Facebook if you wanted to start that way. If you are interested, let me know and I can recommend a few.

Hope that helps! It you have any questions along the way, let me know and I’d be glad to help.
-sherri

Reply
Sandra Jeffs avatar

Sandra Jeffs

Hi Sheri,It is a pleasure reading your input to this dang disease I am 69 years old and I was diagnosed back in 2010 ..I am going in to have DPS and I was wondering if you know anything about this? I am scared to have this done but I have got so bad and I fall everyday if not once then twice. I have broken my back and had surgery for that and when i finally got home I fell three days later and broke my hip,I don't have any shaking mine is all balance issues..

Reply
Hanne Koplev avatar

Hanne Koplev

This is my case-story about Parkinsons Disease.
http://www.mercurymadness.org/Case-Study-of-Hanne-Koplev---Veterinarian--Denmark--Diagnosed-with-Parkinson-s-Disease--nw244.html

Reply
Roger Bentley avatar

Roger Bentley

Ran across your blog while researching cortisol and Parkinson's. We're both in a clinical trial relating to it and I wanted to do some homework.
Your post made my morning. My wife was diagnosed with PD 27 years ago. She is tough and I admire her for it, but that can sometimes make life difficult. I'm essentially a full-time care-giver. She had a couple of bad falls yesterday and is having a difficult time today.
Keep up these uplifting posts-- I'm going to follow you.

Reply
Sherri Woodbridge avatar

Sherri Woodbridge

Thanks for your comments and the follow. I hope you were encouraged. -sherri

Reply

Leave a comment

Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.