Neuroscientists at Germany’s Max Planck Institute have found that heavy metal music may boost pain tolerance. The study, published in Scientific Reports, tested 122 fans at the 2023 Wacken Open Air festival. Participants submerged a hand and forearm in cold water as long as possible. Those tested after three or four days of live metal endured the pain significantly longer than those tested before the festival. Researchers say music triggers oxytocin release, aiding relaxation and pain relief. Metal’s themes of expressing difficult emotions like anger also play a role. “Suppressed anger has the greatest effect on intensifying pain experiences in patients with chronic pain,” said lead author Lydia Schneider. Researchers suggest “angry music” could eventually become part of broader pain-management strategies