How Spiritune is Using Music to Support Mental Health

Bringing Science-Backed Music Interventions to Everyday Wellness

Music has the power to shift our emotions, sharpen our focus, and even reduce stress. But what if music could be used in a more intentional, science-backed way to support mental health? That’s exactly what Spiritune, an innovative music technology company founded by Jamie Pabst, is doing.


Jamie, a board member of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF), launched Spiritune with a clear mission: to modernize mental health using a scientific, music-based approach. With a background in finance and a personal connection to the therapeutic potential of music—her sister studied music therapy—Jamie saw an opportunity to bring evidence-based music interventions to a wider audience.


The Science Behind Spiritune

Spiritune isn’t just another music streaming service. It was designed with input from neuroscientists, music therapists, and composers to create playlists that are optimized for emotional regulation and cognitive focus. The app uses research-backed techniques from music therapy to curate music that helps listeners lower stress levels, improve mood, and increase productivity.


A recent peer-reviewed study led by Stanford and New York University researchers tested Spiritune’s impact. Their findings? Listening to Spiritune for just 10 minutes improved mood in 76% of participants. Not only that, but the study also showed that Spiritune was four times more effective than other music sources at reducing negative emotional states and was the only option tested that improved cognitive processing speed.


Expanding Access to Music-Based Mental Health Support

With a growing demand for mental health solutions, Spiritune is being embraced by companies looking to provide their employees with low-cost, engaging wellness tools. Organizations like Galileo Health, DexCare, and Crunch Fitness are already incorporating Spiritune into their mental health offerings, and the app is also being used in a VA-funded suicide prevention pilot for veterans.


While Spiritune is not a replacement for certified music therapy, it represents a powerful step forward in making music-based interventions more accessible. By harnessing the therapeutic power of music, Spiritune is helping people manage stress, regulate emotions, and build healthier daily habits.


IMNF and Spiritune: Advancing the Role of Music in Healthcare

At IMNF, we believe in the profound connection between music and brain health—something that our Executive Director, Dr. Concetta Tomaino, has spent decades researching and advocating for. As Spiritune’s lead music therapy advisor, Dr. Tomaino brings her deep expertise to the platform, ensuring that its approach is rooted in the principles of music therapy.


We’re thrilled to see Spiritune gaining recognition for its innovative work, including its recent feature in Fierce Healthcare. As we continue to explore new ways to integrate music into healthcare, aging, and wellness, partnerships like these help expand the reach and impact of music-based interventions.


To learn more about Spiritune and its groundbreaking approach to music for mental well-being, visit Spiritune’s website.

August 11, 2025
IMNF Executive Director Dr. Concetta Tomaino will present “Music and the Brain” at the Project Lifesaver 2025 Annual Conference, sharing how music impacts cognitive, physical, and emotional function for those living with neurological challenges.
July 31, 2025
IMNF’s Director of Programming, Justin Russo, joins Shaping the Future of Aging to discuss how personalized music can support cognitive and emotional well-being in dementia care and other neurologic conditions.
July 29, 2025
Maejor will be honored at the 2025 Music Has Power® Awards for his visionary work at the intersection of music, healing, and innovation. Join us in celebrating his global impact and commitment to advancing the therapeutic potential of sound.
July 28, 2025
Celebrating three decades of music-driven healing, research, and education, the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function marks 30 years of transforming lives through therapeutic music.
July 23, 2025
Receive 10% off an annual subscription to Spiritune—a music-based app designed to support emotional regulation, focus, and well-being. Use code imnf10 at checkout.
July 18, 2025
Join the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function in New York City for a powerful gathering of leaders in music therapy, neuroscience, and aging care. The Music Has Power® Symposium & Awards brings together experts, innovators, and artists to explore the healing power of music and honor those advancing its impact.
July 16, 2025
Discover how music can regulate the nervous system and support healing in a new Westchester Magazine feature on IMNF Executive Director Dr. Concetta Tomaino. Learn how IMNF continues to lead in clinical music therapy.
July 8, 2025
Join IMNF founder Dr. Concetta Tomaino as she explores the powerful intersection of music therapy and neuroscience at CUNY’s ASRC. Discover how music is transforming care for people with neurological conditions.
IMNF Launches Intergenerational Ukulele Club with Joyful Performance and Donation of Kana Ukuleles
July 8, 2025
Mount Vernon, NY – June 2025 – The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) is proud to announce the launch of its Intergenerational Ukulele Club, a new initiative designed to bring people of all ages together through the power of music.
July 3, 2025
The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) has launched a new pilot study in collaboration with the Songs of Love Foundation to explore how custom-written, personalized songs may benefit older adults living with dementia and other cognitive impairments. Building on the principles of the Music & Memory program, this study investigates whether individualized compositions—created using personal details such as the individual’s name, favorite activities, and family references—can help support memory recall, reduce anxiety, and increase emotional engagement. This initiative expands the scope of person-centered music interventions by introducing novel music tailored to the individual, rather than relying solely on familiar, pre-recorded songs. The study will collect qualitative and observational data from caregivers and care staff across a small cohort of participants to assess the therapeutic impact. By evaluating these outcomes, IMNF aims to contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting music-based interventions in dementia care and further refine strategies for effective, accessible applications in both home and institutional settings. If you or a loved one is interested in receiving a free personalized song, download this form and email to imnf@wartburg.org.