In Montreal, a doctor can now prescribe music for what ails you.

We all know that music can have extremely positive effects on both the mind and body, but outside of music therapy, it’s not used in medicine here in the West. (It might be used that way elsewhere in the world, but I can’t say for sure. Anyone?)

In 2025, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal launched a project with Médecins francophones du Canada called Music on Prescription. This allows physicians to write you a prescription to see a live orchestra performance to complement whatever other treatments you may be receiving for mental health.

Music IS medicine. It triggers the production of dopamine (the feel-good hormone), oxytocin (the brain’s “love” chemical), serotin (a “feel-good” hormone that regulates mood, sleep, digestion, nausea, and blood clotting), and endorphins (which manage pain, stress, and mood).

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen something like this in Canada. The University of Ottawa’s Music and Health Research Institute are running trials. In BC, the Arts on Prescription Program is already three years old. It saw patients treated by going to live concerts.

Fascinating. Canada is onto something. I can’t wait for the first doctor to prescribe someone some Tool or Cannibal Corpse.