A man was given a disability for his addiction to heavy metal: what does science say?

In 2015, a 42-year-old Swede named Roger Tallgren He managed to get the state to assign him a disability pension. Cause? His passion for heavy metal.

This may seem like a joke, but it’s the honest truth. The man claimed that his addiction to this music prevented him from working at almost any job. Not only because he focused all his concentration on music and could not give it up to perform other tasks. And also because he visited some 300 concerts per year.

Apparently this was taken as a joke at first. However, after reading reports from three different psychologists, the Swedish justice system granted him pension 400 euros per month. Of course, he did not declare his complete disability. So they helped him find a part-time job that was compatible with his heavy metal passion. So he began working as a dishwasher in a restaurant. His boss allows him to wear metal clothes and listen to any music he wants while working. This way you can top up these 400 euros and have enough money to live on. And pay for additional concerts, because, as he himself stated in an interview in 2016, heavy metal is his life.

Can you be addicted to heavy metal?

Before we talk about heavy metal addiction, we should take a step back and check whether a person might be music junkie

If we stick psychology manualsquick answer: no. However, it is true that there are points in which one can talk about something similar to addiction.

Let’s start with the fact that we know that addictions are caused by overstimulation brain reward systems. It is a physiological response that produces pleasure when confronted with stimuli that evolutionarily advantageous. For example, sex is pleasurable because it contributes to the preservation of the species. This feeling of pleasure comes from the dopamine that is released as a result of this stimulus, and we want to do it again. The same thing happens with eating high-calorie foods. They may be unhealthy, but they give us energy and that’s what our brain interprets, controlling release of dopamine.

Unfortunately, some harmful substances or habits They can also stimulate reward systems. There are people who are especially sensitive, so they repeat the stimulus over and over again, so that each time they want more and more. This is how addictions begin. It has been observed that people who experience chills when listening to music experience it precisely because of the release of dopamine. But is it possible heavy metal addiction?

Depends on how it affects you

Music is not recognized as an addictive stimulus. However, like any addiction, it can be considered as such if it interferes with people’s daily lives.

In an article published in Health line This topic describes several warning signs that may indicate something similar to addiction. For example, you should pay attention to the situation when someone listen to music secretly in situations where it is inappropriate, such as at work or school. Moreover, if they are reprimanded, they continue to do so because they feel unable to stopit is clear that there is a problem.

There are also people who They cannot function without music. They need it at all costs to perform all daily tasks. If they don’t hear it, they become very stressed.

And of course, this could be a warning sign if music delays other necessary tasks. Sometimes we can get lost listening to music and lose track of time. However, if we are constantly late to places because we keep listening to music, or if we cancel plans we need for the same reason, perhaps we should consult a psychologist.

Moreover, if the music includes huge waste of moneyas it happens with the Swedish patient with his 300 concerts a year, perhaps there is also a certain dependence. In his case, to heavy metal.

Roger Tallgren case

Roger Tallgren collided long legal battle to show that his love for music was much greater. He just wanted to listen and play heavy metal. He couldn’t concentrate on anything else. He consulted several psychologists, some of whom confirmed that he was suffering from something similar to heavy metal addiction.

Therefore, although his request was not heard at first, he eventually reached an agreement with the state. Almost 10 years have passed since then, and this case continues to appear in the media from time to time. However, despite the passage of time and media coverage, he is still the only person who has been unable to work due to heavy metal addiction or some other hobby. Although he may not like to hear references to his music as hobby. Roger sees it as a way of life. Now he has managed to find a way to combine it with work.