Music is fast becoming a cornerstone of the global wellbeing movement. Backed by growing scientific research and public demand, it’s now being embraced not just for entertainment, but as a powerful tool for mental, emotional and physical health.

From clinical settings to personal wellness routines, and from youth communities to digital mindfulness spaces, music’s role in health and healing is expanding at breakneck speed. At the same time, a rising focus on musicians’ mental health is reshaping the industry from within. As culture shifts toward more intentional, creative forms of self-care, music is leading the way.

One of the earliest champions of this movement was Myndstream, the leading global provider of functional health and wellbeing music, which helped catalyze the conversation back in 2021. Founder Freddie Moross put the healing power of music on the map, spotlighting the important role audio can play in therapeutic and wellness contexts.

Now, to drive the movement forward, Moross has brought together a team of global specialists to launch the Global Wellness Institute’s (GWI) first-ever initiative dedicated to the healing power of music and sound.

A Mission-Driven Collective
The GWI Music for Health & Wellbeing Initiative aims to foster a ‘quad-win’ across four key groups: industry, academia, artists, and listeners. Its mission includes:

● Promoting a culture of duty of care and intentional creation when delivering music into care settings

● Addressing the lack of a shared vocabulary by establishing foundational definitions (e.g. music therapy vs. sound therapy vs. functional music)

● Supporting innovative research by funding small-scale studies that pave the way for larger grants

● Developing industry guidelines and best practices to inform future accreditation/certification for artists creating purpose-driven music (e.g. for anxiety relief, relaxation or energy)

● Collaborating with organizations, such as AMTA, to contribute to evolving best practices

A Cross-Disciplinary Team of Experts
The initiative is spearheaded by Moross, who serves as Chair, alongside Vice-Chair Rob Marshall, a respected veteran of the music industry.

A powerhouse founding team of specialists across music, science, business, and wellness joins them:

● Dr. Lori F. Gooding, PhD, MT-BC – Associate Professor of Music Therapy, Florida State University (US)

● Tom Middleton – Co-founder, White Mirror (UK)

● Cathy Applefeld Olson – Founder, Hollywood & Mind (US)

● Bryan Stone – Business Development & Global Digital Strategy, Universal Music Group (UK)

● Dr. Michelle Ulor – Music psychologist, DJ and startup/VC consultant (UK)

Moross commented: “I’m delighted to be joined by an incredible founding team who represent a cross-section of understanding and expertise across the music sector. They support in creating an independent, central resource to help navigate the ever-growing complexities and intricacies of the music for health and wellness space.

“Looking ahead, we’ll champion the responsible evolution of music as a tool for healing — supporting artists, researchers and innovators in creating music that is not only emotionally resonant but scientifically informed.

“Our goal is to help shape a future where music is embedded in hospitality, healthcare, education and everyday wellbeing, accessible to all and grounded in care, creativity and credibility.”

Music for Health & Wellbeing 2025
The initiative has already released its first report, Music for Health & Wellbeing 2025, outlining the key trends shaping this emerging field. Highlights include:

● Rising public and scientific recognition of music’s therapeutic potential

● Greater use of creativity as a tool for mental health and resilience

● Rapid expansion of digital platforms delivering personalized, music-led wellness experiences

● A notable rise in mindful listening events, particularly in urban centers like London

The report’s key takeaway: music is increasingly being recognized as a vital public health tool. To read the full paper, head to this link.