From soothing lullabies and wedding symphonies to workout playlists and birthday song, music has had a profound way of enriching our lives, adding meaning to little moments and treasured memories.

We all love music. And no matter your taste, music affects us all the same.

But have you ever paused and wondered why? What exactly happens inside our brains when we listen to music, and why does it make us feel what we feel?

Tune in, because I’m about to explain the science behind it.

I LOVE THIS SONG

Ever noticed how a song makes you feel good every time you listen to it? Well, that’s your brain’s way of thanking you for it!

Research shows that when listening to music, the amygdala and nucleus accumbens—areas in our brain responsible for pleasure and reward—get activated. These are the same regions that light up when we drink water after a long run or have a bar of chocolate after working out!

In simple words, anytime you hit play on your favourite songs, your brain sends a flush of dopamine—the “feel-good” chemical.

WE’RE ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH, DUDE.

Music doesn’t only spark areas in our brains, but also sparks connections between people.

Remember when Italians sang Bella Ciao from their balconies in solidarity with those quarantined? The videos brought everyone to tears. That’s the power of music for bringing people together.

In his research, Daniel Levitin, neuroscientist and musician, explains that music has the power to synchronize its listeners’ brainwaves, allowing them to be emotionally connected.

Whether you’re attending an intimate La Boheme opera or a packed Eminem concert, your brain activity, along with your emotions, aligns with those around you.

OUR GUILTY PLEASURE

Truth be told, I’ve listened to Coldplay’s “A Sky Full of Stars” more than I can count!

But don’t blame me! Blame science!

Studies show that people are inclined to stick to songs they loved during their youth, and often find new tracks with similar styles throughout their lives.

When listening to a song repeatedly, the hippocampus—the brain region responsible for emotional regulation and memory—gets activated, creating an emotional response whenever we listen to this song again

And because adolescence is a period of heightened emotions, music we loved during that time sticks with us throughout our lives.

In fact, studies have shown that even patients with dementia can recall songs from their youth. These emotionally charged songs are deeply rooted memories, making them some of the most resilient.

DUMBBELLS FOR THE BRAIN

As effortless as it seems, listening to music requires a lot of brainpower!

According to an article published in the Journal of Biology, our brains need to decode various aspects like pitch, rhyme, timbre and lyrics, then weave these elements together to form a coherent musical experience.

So the cognitive process that occurs when listening to a 3-minute song is similar to that of reading—the working memory identifies individual letters and words then ultimately forms meaning out of the sentences and paragraphs.

In fact, a study published in the journal Brain suggests that listening to music can aid in the recovery after brain injuries, particularly strokes. Patients who listened to music daily achieved better cognitive recovery, such as improvements in verbal memory, compared to patients who listened to audiobooks or nothing at all.

Experts also suggest listening to new or unfamiliar genres of music. While it might be uncomfortable to your ears in the beginning, it’s golden for your brain’s neuroplasticity—the ability to rewire itself and adapt to new experiences.

The more you expose yourself to new music, the more you stimulate cognitive growth and flexibility.

So headphones on!

I FEEL THE MUSIC IN MY BONES!

Ever wondered why you can’t help but snap your fingers or tap your foot when a song comes on? Or why babies as young as six months old start kicking their legs and flapping their arms to music?

Music activates our brain’s motor system, particularly the cerebellum. The tunes signal our cerebellum to sync the song’s rhythms and timings with our body’s movements. The result? Hannah Montana’s famous “Hoedown Throwdown”!

CONCLUSION: MUSIC SLAPS!

Whether you’re enjoying a good musical or hitting repeat over the same song the entire day, you are giving your brain a favour!

Music puts a smile on our faces, creates emotional connections, strengthens our memories, and most importantly, keeps us grooving!

Rana is a student of Professional Writing at Algonquin College, and an unapologetic science nerd who gets excited by the simplest facts. Music has been a constant companion in Rana’s life. She finds solace through the classic melodies of the piano, cello and violin; escapes the world’s chaos through a good Imagine Dragons song; and rages at life through an Eminem masterpiece.  

But above all, music is her tether to her heritage—Lebanon. Growing up, she was surrounded by her parents' music tastes. She holds these sounds proudly and revisits them whenever nostalgia hits. Through this blog, Rana hopes to weave together her passions for writing, science, and music. Tune in!