SmokeLess Break Beats

SmokeLess Break

In the spring of 2022, the Berklee Music and Health Institute partnered with Nicorette and Spotify to answer the question of how music experiences can be used to encourage healthy behavior patterns for those embarking on smoking cessation journey. Together, they enlisted 30-plus students and faculty to design eight original tracks, referencing scientific research about overcoming smoking addiction.

Cigarette smoking is known for creating an immediate sense of relaxation for smokers and relieving stress. In deconstructing “smoke breaks,” they often serve as a short, but regular way to slow down. They are generally outside, away from work, activate deeper breathing, and often times have built-in socialization. The challenge during the smoking cessation journey is to find alternative options that encourage short, but regular ways to engage in experiences to decrease the individual stress response.

SmokeLess Break Data

Additionally, nicotine affects behavior, mood, and emotions. Throughout the smoking cessation journey, individuals face intermittent negative emotional states (irritation, mood swings, restlessness), cravings, challenges focusing, interrupted sleep patterns, diminished motivation, and decreased self-efficacy about quitting. All of these factors make smoking a hard habit to break (CDC, 2022). As days are often filled with routines involving smoking (i.e., breaks), it is imperative that individuals develop new substitutes that are intrinsically rewarding and effective in addressing the physiological and psychological challenges associated with smoking cessation.

When designed for therapeutic purposes, “smokeless music breaks” can facilitate the release of endorphins, allow opportunities to connect with others, provide opportunities for self-regulation, self-expression, and self-discovery—all without nicotine or the ritualistic smoking habit.

The result of this collaboration was SmokeLess Break Beats—a first-of-its-kind, customized music listening experience that uses the science of music therapy to address smokers' needs and motivate them towards healthier breaks.

These original student compositions are featured in four playlists that promote relaxation, focus, confidence, and physical release, which are key benefits smokers seek in smoke breaks. Available for free on Spotify, each playlist contains the original tracks and is personalized using the listener's music history, functioning as a break-time emotional and behavioral tool to aid in smoking cessation.

 

Ready. Set. Move.

Aimed at those who need to get sine energy out, Ready. Set. Move. is a specifically designed experience that helps channel a release of restlessness and motor agitation via physical movement.

Saeculum sine tempore

  • Composition, orchestration, vocal, melody, lyrics: Olga Popova 
  • Instrumentation, composition, vocals: Sueda Catakoglu          
  • Mixing, mastering, engineering, guitar performance: Brian Mynes 

Compose Yourself

  • Producer/composer/arranger/mixing/all instruments performed by: Hajrudin Muhic

Be Bold. Be You.

With built-in affirmations to provide encouragement and positive thinking, Be Bold. Be You. promotes confidence in the listener.

Raise Me Up

  • Electric guitar: Rob Moore
  • Vocals/songwriting: Saranya Das
  • Composers: Tomas Ortola, Kaelen Anderson, Tianjun Hua, Chris Yang
  • Lyrics: Tianjun Hua, Adriana Holanova
  • Voice actor: Carolyn Graber

Glad

  • Producer/composer/arranger/mixing/all instruments performed by: Nimrod Shoval Shrem

The Wind Down

Composed to encourage deep breathing, lower respiration rates, and sense of tranquility/calm, The Wind Down is for relaxing and releasing stress.

Flowing to a New Path

  • Producer/composer/arranger/mixing/all instruments performed by: Maria Aguilar

Starry Forest

  • Producer/composer/arranger/mixing/all instruments performed by: Tsubasa Nagai

Recharge and Reset

Specifically designed to encourage slight increases in the physiological states needed to maintain alertness and concentration, the Recharge and Reset playlist helps the listener to focus without the aid of nicotine.

Adventurer Within

  • Producer/composer/arranger/mixing/all instruments performed by: Yuval Gur

New Beginnings

  • Producer/composer/arranger/mixing/all instruments performed by: Felipe Alvarez