Music is a form of art that plays a great role in human emotions. If you observe closely, then you will get to understand that humans get connected with a song much rapidly. A heartbreaking song can make us cry rapidly, while on the other hand, a romantic song can make us all lovey-dovey instantly. Music has the potential to evoke the intense feelings quite effortlessly. That is why it came to see that there is science behind the connection between music and emotion. In addition to that, it is also seen that music has a great potential in influencing our minds, the thought process, physical health, and definitely our souls. So, it can be said that music is deeply connected with our emotions. Let’s find out the science behind music and human emotions-
• How does music influence physiological and neurological responses?
Music has great potential in impacting human emotions. It can even be said so in a way that among all the various forms of art, it is the most impactful one. Here are some key factors that music influences the neurology and physiology of humans-
1. Dopamine release:
According to research, it is known that music plays an immense role in releasing dopamine. It is an important hormone and neurotransmitter that is considered one of the most important things at the time of sensing pleasure. A lot of the time, it is seen that when we listen to a soundtrack and like it, we get music chills. In simpler words, it can be said to get goosebumps. If we listen to a pleasing song, that helps to release dopamine. And this whole process helps to lift our mood effortlessly. It is a scientific connection between music and our emotions. It is completely intertwined and cannot be separated. It is one of the key factors of how songs influence emotions.
2. Increase brain activation:
Music has the caliber to increase blood flow in our brain and boost its activation. When we listen to any music, it is directly engages our limbic system. Along with this particular system, it is also engaged with many other regions in our brain that are connected with our various memories and emotions. By listening to music, each of these systems in our body gets engaged, which eventually boosts the blood flow. When the brain is getting activated in a systematic way, then taking care of brain health would be much easier. Thus, it can be said that such responses can be helpful for all individuals.
3. Impact on physiology:
Music can make a deep impact on our physiology as well. It has been observed that the rhythm of a song has the caliber to influence the internal rhythm of the body. A soundtrack and music can influence blood pressure, heart rate, and even adrenaline levels. All these can control relaxation and excitement in our body. The direct impact of music on our physiological health is quite astonishing. A particular activity can lead to many transformations in our body in a hassle-free way.
4. Enhances rhythmic movement:
One of the common things it comes to see that music enhances rhythmic movement in a hassle-free way. Often, it is seen that while listening to a song, one taps their feet or claps according to the rhythm of it. Most people do that because it is directly associated with the motor system of our brain. Music makes a massive impact on our motor system, which keeps us more hooked to the song. It engages our body and mind in a greater manner and leads to a much deeper impact on the emotions. Thus, it is a big response to the human body and emotions of music.
Music influences our human mind in many ways. Here are a few ways in which it impacts the neurological and physiological responses. It can definitely be said that music can shape a human mind in various ways.
• What is the reason behind music triggering emotion?
It has been proven that music can trigger emotions on a large scale. Music can make us feel a lot of things that no other form of entertainment can do. Here are a few major elements that work behind this-
1. Cultural condition:
If you look closely at this matter, then you will get to understand that the music of different cultures is made in a different way. That is why differently made music impacts our brain quite differently. It has been proven that in Western music, most time the minor scale is connected with sadness. Thus, listening to such music, we feel more sad and get into deeper thoughts about our lives. On the other hand, the major keys are mostly associated with fun-loving songs. Thus, listening to them automatically makes us happy and energetic. It is the different ways of making songs that affect our minds in different ways. It is one of the major factors in how our emotions get triggered by music.
2. Associated with memories:
You probably have seen that many songs are associated with some particular memories of ours. Mostly, they are connected with the big events in our lives. For example, if you listen to a particular song at a wedding and if that made you happy, then the song will always make you feel happy. It happens like this because in our memory, our mind has associated the song with the event and how it made our body and mind feel. It stays in our memory in that particular way, which is known as episodic memory. In this particular manner, specific songs trigger a certain emotion in our brains.
3. Pattern recognition:
Music can lead the human brain to detect patterns in a hassle-free way. A soundtrack is all about melodies, beats, tunes, and chords. While listening to any song, our mind starts recognizing the pattern of it, and if the pattern breaks, then it evokes emotional responses in our mind. A lot of the time, it is seen that it provokes responses like sadness, happiness, wonder, or even curiosity. Pattern recognition is another element that triggers our emotions through music.
• How is music helping human emotions?
Many people are out there who do put that much thought into how music is helpful for human emotions. It has been proven that songs can make a great impact on our mind and body, that is undeniable-
1. Reduce stress:
Listening to a certain kind of music can be helpful in lowering the cortisol level in our bodies. In addition to that, it can also activate the parasympathetic nervous system in our body. When our body gets to experiences such things, then the stress level reduces on a large scale. Due to stress, a lot of complications can be seen in our bodies. That is why listening to music is immensely helpful for every individual.
2. Lifts mood instantly:
It is seen that songs have the potential to regulate mood in a hassle-free way. Listening to a song according to your mood can be helpful in making a shift in your emotions. Right now, it is becoming clear that music therapy has become a huge thing when it comes to taking care of your health. In this particular therapy, if calm and happy songs are listened to, then it will be easier to take care of one’s mental health.
3. Maintains the brain chemistry:
For a healthier body, it is very important to maintain the brain chemistry. As an individual, if you cannot take good care of this, then you will not be able to achieve a good mental and physical health state. Music is one of the most important things that can stimulate the limbic system, that the emotional center of our brain. In addition to that, it can also make an impact on the release of our happy hormone, dopamine. Listening to music, controlling the release in our brain, would be much easier in many ways.
Music is internally connected with our emotions. We do not even understand how our brains are constantly getting influenced by the music. Listening to them can be quite helpful in keeping our bodies healthy.
