Research has found that when a subject listens to music that gives them the chills, it triggers a release of dopamine to the brain. And if you don't know, dopamine is a kind of naturally occurring happy chemical we receive as part of a reward system.
When we listen to music we enjoy, our bodies release dopamine – a neurotransmitter that's usually dispensed during pleasurable activities, like sex or when we're eating. Since both of these functions are essential to survival, the fact that music stimulates dopamine has long puzzled scientists.
Music can boost the brain's production of the hormone dopamine. This increased dopamine production helps relieve feelings of anxiety and depression.
Listening to music releases endorphins in the brain. Endorphins give us a heightened feeling of excitement. In addition to feeling euphoric, endorphins quell anxiety, ease pain and stabilize the immune system.
“Music triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine — the “feel-good” hormone — and serotonin, which contribute to the euphoric feeling we get when we hear our favorite song.”
The limbic system, which is involved in processing emotions and controlling memory, “lights” up when our ears perceive music. The chills you feel when you hear a particularly moving piece of music may be the result of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that triggers sensations of pleasure and well-being.
We get dealt a healthy dose of dopamine.
Research has found that when a subject listens to music that gives them the chills, it triggers a release of dopamine to the brain. And if you don't know, dopamine is a kind of naturally occurring happy chemical we receive as part of a reward system.
Our favorite melodies release dopamine, known as the feel-good hormone, which activates our brain's pleasure and reward system. Music can have a positive, immediate impact on our mental state; fast tempos can psychologically and physiologically arouse us, helping energize us for the day.
It fends off overwhelming feelings of grief by enhancing calmness and, in some cases, even pleasure. Sad music can also stimulate the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Strongly associated with both pleasure and rewards, dopamine is considered to be the “feel good” hormone.
Can Music Be Addictive? Like many vices, including drugs and sex, music can release a chemical that drives your body to act out its pleasures. "When you listen to tunes that move you, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical involved in both motivation and addiction," states music author Emily Sohn.
A handful of studies have examined endogenous oxytocin during music production and perception. Postoperative patients listening to relaxing music through headphones demonstrated an increase in serum oxytocin and reported higher levels of relaxation compared to a control group with no music (Nilsson, 2009).
Experimental Studies on Music and Oxytocin
In adults, salivary oxytocin levels were also found to be raised after a singing lesson, amateur singers, in particular, expressing a heightened sense of well-being (Grape et al., 2003), and raised levels were also reported after choral singing (Kreutz, 2014).
In one sensory study, it was found that listening to slow relaxing music was associated with raised salivary oxytocin levels and lower heart rate, whereas fast music had little impact on oxytocin but reduced cortisol levels and increased arousal (Ooishi et al., 2017).
You can increase your dopamine levels naturally by eating a healthy diet, including foods rich in L-Tyrosine (the protein needed to make dopamine). These include almonds, avocados, bananas, beef, chicken and eggs. Turmeric, vitamin D, magnesium and omega-3 supplements are also claimed to increase dopamine levels.
Project leader Valorie Salimpoor found that samples of a variety of instrumental music — everything from techno to classical to jazz — produced “feelings of euphoria and cravings,” as measured through reports of chills and fMRIs of subjects' cerebral activity.
Anticipating your favorite track stimulates your brain's reward pathways. New research has proven that the adage “you have to be high to listen to electronic music” is not necessarily true. According to researchers as McGill University, the act of listening to your favorite track can make you high in and of itself.
Serotonin and dopamine sometimes work together, but these brain chemicals can also have opposite effects. For example, dopamine can enhance that reward-driven behavior, like impulsively going for another slice of pie, whereas serotonin helps inhibit those more impulsive behaviors that seek the dopamine-mediated reward.
Serotonin is associated with happiness, focus and calmness. Dopamine is associated with rewards and motivation. Dopamine and serotonin also share involvement in some mental health conditions, including depression and mood disorders.
High dopamine symptoms include anxiety, excessive energy, insomnia, and hallucinations. Low dopamine levels are associated with brain fog, mood swings, and muscle spasms.