Our favorite songs have a way of evoking emotions in us, whether it’s an undeniable urge to get up and dance or an overwhelming need to cry. Music has always been a point of connection for humans, with the oldest musical instrument dating back over 40,000 years. But what is the reason for all these emotions? Why does music have such a profound influence on our bodies and minds?

Scientists have been interested in these questions about music for many years. Hundreds of studies have been done to decipher the connection between music and our emotions, and all the answers lead to one organ: our brain. When we listen to music, the limbic system — the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions — is activated. Different structures make up the limbic system, such as our amygdala, which is responsible for emotional processing, and the hippocampus, which helps with memory consolidation (that’s why music helps improve memory too!). These neural activities are what lead to such vivid emotional experiences when listening to your favorite tunes, or why you sometimes feel yourself transported to a distinct memory after hearing a song you haven’t heard in a while. 

What makes a song our favorite?

While all this is fascinating, why do some people gravitate toward certain types of music more than others? Neuroscientists have discovered the answer to this might pertain to the reward system in our brains, a network of structures, primarily involving the dopamine-driven pathway, that reinforces behaviors by creating feelings of pleasure and motivation. Our brains are wired to seek a balance between predictability and novelty, finding pleasure in the anticipation that precedes the activation of the reward system. Songs that hit that perfect balance between predictability and anticipation tend to become our favorites, with that sweet spot differing between every person. When we anticipate a certain beat drop or note change, our brain gears up to release dopamine when it happens, thus leading us to associate a more positive connotation with our favorite pieces of music and why we label some songs as “satisfying.”

What benefits does music bring to our lives?

Apart from the benefits already mentioned in this article, music helps tremendously with multiple aspects of our physical and social lives. Not only can our favorite songs evoke feelings in us, but they can also work as mood stabilizers, helping to regulate our emotions when we’re feeling angry, sad, or anxious. Singing or making music with a group of people has also been shown to increase oxytocin levels, while simultaneously decreasing cortisol levels in our body. 

Music can also impact our body physiologically, leading to a surge of healthcare practices involving music therapy. Research has shown that listening to music can alleviate physical pain by triggering the release of endorphins in the brain while also serving as a cognitive distraction from discomfort. Other, more general benefits of music include lowering your blood pressure, improved sleep quality, and decreased stress levels. 

Music City’s role in advancing music research 

At Vanderbilt University, Dr. Reyna L. Gordon leads the Music Cognition Lab, which investigates the relationship between music, rhythm, and language development, particularly in how these connections influence behavioral, cognitive, and neural disorders across different age groups. The lab’s research explores how rhythmic abilities correlate with language processing skills, such as phonological awareness, literacy, and grammatical proficiency. Recent studies have examined how musical training can enhance language development in children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, as well as how rhythm perception relates to social communication in neurodivergent populations. By identifying these connections, the lab aims to develop evidence-based interventions that leverage music as a tool for improving cognitive and linguistic outcomes in both children and adults.

Music is more than just background noise while you do your homework; it’s a powerful tool that shapes our emotions, memory, and even our health. From boosting mood and reducing stress to enhancing cognitive development, its impact often runs deeper than we realize. As research at Vanderbilt and other institutions continues to uncover the science behind our favorite songs, one thing remains clear: music isn’t just something we enjoy, it’s something we need. So, the next time you hit play on your favorite tune, remember, you’re not just listening, you’re giving your brain a little gift. 

References

Da Costa Music Therapy Intern, M. H. M. M. J. a. M. M. K. B. M. T. I. J. (2024, March 27). How music affects your mind, mood and body. Tallahassee Memorial Health. https://www.tmh.org/healthy-living/blogs/healthy-living/how-music-affects-your-mind-mood-and-body#

Holden, R., & Holden, J. (2013). Music: a better alternative than pain? British Journal of General Practice, 63(615), 536. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp13x673748

Our research studies | Vanderbilt Music Cognition Lab. (n.d.). https://www.vumc.org/music-cognition-lab/our-research-studies 

Professional, C. C. M. (2024, December 19). Limbic system. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/limbic-system

Toader, C., Tataru, C. P., Florian, I., Covache-Busuioc, R., Bratu, B., Glavan, L. A., Bordeianu, A., Dumitrascu, D., & Ciurea, A. V. (2023). Cognitive Crescendo: How music shapes the brain’s structure and function. Brain Sciences, 13(10), 1390. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13101390