This startup aims to harness the healing power of music

You know when your favorite song comes on, and you instantly feel a little better? LUCID, a Toronto-based startup, is working towards harnessing and recreating that phenomenon for whenever you may need a mental boost.

How it works: LUCID is aiming to take a page from the 60+% of people who use music to target stress and anxiety in their daily lives. That’s compared to 10% who turn to meditation, and 7% who use therapy.

• The company uses psychometric and biometric tools like brain-wave trackers and facial recognition to measure users' moods in response to certain music.
• Then, machine learning algorithms use that information to “prescribe” treatments – aka personalized music playlists optimized to boost mood levels and reduce anxiety. (Think: prescribing more cowbell to cure Christopher Walken’s fever.)

…but does it work?? A 2022 LUCID study found a single 24-minute listening session produced more significant reductions in somatic and cognitive anxiety as compared to pink noise or auditory beat stimulation.

LUCID’s music technology has also indicated a greater ability to reduce stress and boost positive mood vs. the most popular Spotify-curated relaxation playlist.

• Other outside studies have found listening to music can help calm people’s nervous system and lower cortisol levels, which helps reduce stress and anxiety.
• Some evidence even suggests music is more effective at limiting anxiety than certain anti-anxiety drugs.

Not just anxiety: LUCID is also studying how to use its technology to harness the unique effects music has on the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

💥 The potential impact: Around 1-in-5 American adults (~50 million) are affected by an anxiety disorder, while 6+ million are currently living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.