
No one is exactly sure why music strongly affects our emotions, but recent studies have shed more light on this intriguing matter. Records show that certain types of music have the power to evoke personal memories, eliciting positive emotions that go beyond basic stimuli. Among this diverse spectrum is the ‘feel good’ music genre that stands out for its capabilities to uplift spirits and elicit positive emotions – but what exactly is going on inside our brain when we listen to these tunes? That’s what we’re here to find out today.
The fact that music is omnipresent also affects our day-to-day activities. Be it a work-related task, a university assignment or even playing a casino game with the latest no deposit bonus codes attached – without music, life in general is mundane.
The Neuroscience of Music
Our brains are complex chemical labs, coordinating a bunch of neurotransmitters that are directly able to influence our behaviour, cognition and mood. Whenever we listen to music, particularly the feel-good tunes we’ve just mentioned, these trigger the release of various neurotransmitters.
- Serotonin – this neurotransmitter is closely associated with mood regulation and studies have shown how serotonin levels are also affected by music. Feel-good music in particular has been proven to boost its production while promoting feelings of relaxation, happiness, and well-being.
- Dopamine – often called the ‘feel good hormone’ dopamine plays a vital role in your brain’s reward system. Whenever we listen to music we deeply enjoy, a higher release of dopamine is recorded, leading to a surge in feelings of pleasure and happiness, as well as reinforcing your brain’s association with music. This makes you more likely to actively seek out similar experiences in the future.
- Endorphins – mostly known for their pain-relieving characteristics, endorphins are also heavily involved in the euphoric sensation one experiences when listening to their favorite tunes. Apart from stimulating the release of endorphins, feel good music is also able to create a sense of euphoria allowing you to access a temporary escape from discomfort or stress.
Rhythm and Harmony in Practice
Apart from the activity caused by neurotransmitters, there are also several other elements that music plays into, often shaping our emotional response and happiness levels. Feel-good music often features catchy melodies, upbeat rhythms and highly harmonious compositions. These elements synch up with our physiological rhythms such breathing and heart rate, automatically creating a sense of relaxation and coherence. Some examples include:
- Harmony – Harmony, or the combination of several musical notes played simultaneously, can release a powerful emotional response in humans. Feel-good music is often known to make use of different harmonies that resonate directly with our auditory system, creating a sense of beauty, balance and overall emotional uplift.
- Rhythm – Our brains have been naturally wired to synch up with external rhythms, something that’s known as rhythmic entertainment in the world of science. Whenever we listen to music that has a steady beat this is known to synchronize with our brain, leading to a heightened sense of energy, positivity and focus.
- Emotions & Memory – Another amazing aspect of music is its ability to draw out vivid emotions and memories, creating positive emotional associations by triggering past experiences or reinforcing current feelings of contentment and joy. As a result, menial tasks could appear more enjoyable, while there’s also the chance of improving cognitive performance and overall mood.
Culture and Personal Preferences
While several universal elements tend to resonate across all types of cultures, individual preferences will always play an important role when it comes to the effect music has on each and every one of us. In fact, the interpretation of what defines feel-good music is influenced by a number of personal factors including social context and cultural background amongst others.
- Personal Association – our individual memories and experiences play a core role when shaping our emotional response to music, meaning that a song that accompanies certain memories or holds some special meaning is likely to evoke a positive response regardless of its style or genre.
- Cultural Meaning – different cultures display distinct musical preferences and traditions, unconsciously shaping our perception of music. What might be considered joyful and uplifting in one culture could evoke completely different feelings and emotions in another.
Conclusion
The psychological effects of music and sounds are diverse and vast. From boosting our emotional well-being and mood to reducing stress while improving cognitive function, it’s no surprise that for centuries us humans have allowed music to shape our experiences and permeate our lives. While serving as a very powerful form of artistic expression, it also allows us to understand and convey emotions that words alone might fail to capture.
The science behind emotions and music reveals the deep impact that music has had on our emotional wellbeing as well as our brains. From the release of neurochemicals that are known to affect our mood to the neural pathways that evolved in emotional processes, the way music is able to elicit such a vast range of nuances and emotions is undeniable.
It’s also no secret that the therapeutic application of music encompasses a vast range of emotional, social, cognitive and physical domains, consistently promoting our transformation, healing and overall well-being for centuries.