In news that will come as absolutely no surprise to millions of well adjusted head-bangers everywhere, a recent study conducted by California’s Humboldt State University has found that listening to Heavy metal and “extreme” music can in fact make listeners happier.

The study, entitled (wait for it): “The Life Experiences And Mid-Life Functioning Of 1980s Heavy Metal Groupies, Musicians And Fans” also concluded that metal fans were “less likely to have any regrets about things they had done in their youth” (human sacrifices aside).

The study goes on to say that “despite the challenges of adverse childhood events, and other stressful and risky events in their youth”, metal fans were much happier in part to the kinship they felt within their metal community/cult.

This is somewhat at odds with a recent The University of Queensland study which offered a much stronger support for punishing riffs and extended guitar solos, claiming participants in their metal study “reported they used music to enhance their happiness, immerse themselves in feelings of love and enhance their wellbeing”. It also concluded that listeners “showed levels of hostility, irritability and stress decreased after music was introduced” and noted their most significant change was the level of “inspiration” they felt.

Until the next heavy metal study, we’ll see you in the mosh.

[Via The Guardian]