Health benefits from playing harmonica

This is not my field of expertise or experience but there seem to be a number of those on the forum and elsewhere who appear to have had medical/mental health benefits from playing harmonica. Is it is within the forum’s remit to gather sanitized observations regarding medical/mental health experiences from playing harmonica, good or bad and, if there is sufficient evidence, promote harmonica playing for medical/mental health benefits? @Luke Could a short, simple course be developed for those who only want/need health benefits? If it is felt to be within the forum’s remit, how could it be done? I’m not suggesting that it should be done, just tossing a random thought into the air to see if it flies or is shot down. Jay1

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Playing it is good for mental health also good for lung capacity I can definitely testify to that. However my missus keeps saying “will you shut that bloody thing up it’s driving me mental” ---- so perhaps not so much for long suffering spouses

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I have a student that gives “Harmonica for Heath” workshops at senior centers and Chicagoland community centers. He has seen (as have I) HUGE benefits in the folks he works with over time. Less COPD symptoms, less wheezing, less coughing, less snoring, better uninterrupted sleep as well as increased lung capacity.

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@Andy2 @davidkachalon Thanks for your input and for starting the ball rolling. I feel a bit guilty opening a new subject post just before going away on a heavy case load but hope to have some thoughts from others on this for when I’m back. I try to keep up with the forum when away, same as I try to find time to play my traveling 10/40 chrom. Jay1

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