Study Proves Heavy Metal Lovers Are Happier Than Most

If you haven’t noticed, the new thing to do apparently is scientifically prove that metal listeners are better-off than everyone else and now there’s more proof with a new study finding that metal fans are actually happier than non-metalheads.

The study, The Life Experiences And Mid-Life Functioning Of 1980s Heavy Metal Groupies, Musicians And Fans, put together by Humboldt State University in the US took a sample of 377 adults.

That sample included 154 who were heavy metal fans in the 1980s, 80 who were fans of other types of music and 153 current students at a California University. Each of the participants answered questions about their youth and their current successes and happiness.

The results showed that metal fans “reported higher levels of youthful happiness” and “were also less likely to have any regrets about things they had done in their youth.”

This was even “despite the challenges of adverse childhood events, and other stressful and risky events in their youth.”

As it turns out though, it’s not so much about the music as it is the community that heavy metal relies upon. “Social support is a crucial protective factor for troubled youth,” the report found.

“Fans and musicians alike felt a kinship in the metal community, and a way to experience heightened emotions with like-minded people.”

Unfortunately it’s not good news for all of you who prefer to listen to other types of music. Non-metalheads were more likely to seek “psychological counselling for emotional problems.”

This comes less than a month after The University Of Queensland found that heavy metal increases positive emotions and reduces stress.

The evidence is really starting to stack up.

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