I'd think it does rather depend on the circumstances: playing heavy metal for 13 hours straight while on drugs at a nightclub might have a different mental effect than singing psalms for 13 hours straight in a monastery chapel, just to give an exaggerated example.

I do personally find the careful study of religious music pleasant and intellectually invigorating, in most circumstances. That's not very scientific though. ;)

Vigourous exercise is good for both physical and mental health!

Some decades ago I read of a post Vatican II European monastery whose monks had fallen into depression, ill temper, and general unhappiness. After some analysis of the situation by mental health experts it was determined that the cause of this malaise was that the monks had discontinued their Gregorian chant in a misguided and misinformed response to what many thought was 'Vatican II'. The monastery restored the chant and the monks returned to their happy and content selves.

As most here likely will know, the awareness or observation that music affects well-being, can cause happiness or sadness, morality or immorality, joy or anger, is as old as the Greeks and other ancients. It is specifically and famously discussed by Plato in the Republic.

I can attest that trashy music has a negative effect on my nervous system and mind so extreme that I would have difficulty finding words to describe it - and, if I found them I fain would shrink from using them.

On the other hand, I am filled with joy, prayerfulness, thoughtfulness, amusement, and more at the sound of most anything from our patrimony of choral music, chamber music, concerted music, or solo instrumental music..... Such music is intellectually stimulating (and therefore entertaining!) and spiritually enriching - it is often even ennobling; and, in that it is a healthy, beautiful, and morally sound use of God's musical gifts to us, it definitely 'praises God'.

playing heavy metal for 13 hours straight while on drugs at a nightclub might have a different mental effect

I don't think this falls under the category of 'praising the Lord'

you know music is a powerful thing. Aside from its entertainment value, listening to music is known to have incredible positive effects to our brain. More specifically, music can change the way we act, feel and think.

There was a study some many years ago at one college where they measured blood pressure, heart rate and such among musicians and non-musicians who listed to various music. The non-musicians calmed down and relaxed. The tension level in the musicians went up along with blood pressure. The study concluded that trained musicians don't listen so much for pleasure but analyze and pick apart what they hear. We kind of learn to do that in college.

I love music but will admit that at times, I also truly hate it. Perhaps only musicians will understand that.

Some days a bit of silence is good. We live in a too noisy world.

BAd music will also cause you to hate (bad) music.

Some years ago (I cannot remember names) I read of a prominent rock star who had been invited to sit in on a rehearsal of a prominent symphony orchestra. After the rehearsal was over the said rock star was asked what he thought of what he had heard. His only response was 'Wow, I had no idea that you could make that much noise without amplification'. That's all he heard and all that music making was to him - noise - as is evidenced in the unholy music noise that these people make. Is it any wonder that their 'music' is deeply disturbing and damaging to body, mind, nervous system, and spirit? I'm sure that Plato wouldn't be surprised.

I've also read of studies in which rock music was played in a room that had a variety of plants sitting around. The plants invariably began to wilt, with many of them dying. When classical music was played in a similar room the plants flourished and grew.

In another incident several naval vessels were attempting to coax a stranded whale out of a particular small bay. When their attempts were unsuccessful they made inquiries and were told to play amplified music and that the whale would respond. So, they did so but the whale became agitated and did not respond. Upon further inquiries they were asked what kind of music they had played. When they answered that they had played rock music they were told to play Beethoven. After doing so the whale followed them out to sea.

Thanks for the interesting references, Richard -
But based on them I would say that the verdict is still out.