Music has always fascinated me with its ability to change the way we feel.  Why do we turn to upbeat songs when preparing for a big game, working out, or getting ready for an important event? Why does a fast, energetic song make us feel ready and motivated, while a slow, emotional song can help us process sadness? What is it about the melodies, rhythms, and lyrics that connect so deeply with our emotions? As it turns out, the connection between music and feelings isn’t just a mystery — it’s backed by real science.

According to scientists and psychologists, music activates several areas of the brain involved in emotion, memory, and even movement. Scientists have discovered that when we listen to music, especially songs we love, our brain releases dopamine – the “feel-good” chemical that activates when we eat our favorite food or accomplish something exciting [1]! This happens mainly in the nucleus accumbens, part of the brain’s reward system, which is closely linked to emotions [5]. According to research from the British Psychological Society, music activates another area of the brain linked to emotion and reward–the limbic system, which includes the amygdala and hippocampus [5]. This system also plays a key role in processing music and triggering emotional responses. So, when your favorite chorus drops or when a song flows just right, it’s not just your heart reacting – it’s your brain quite literally lighting up with joy, nostalgia, or even tears. In short, music doesn’t just affect our ears–it affects our entire nervous system.

Because of this strong connection between music and the brain, it makes sense that people use music intentionally to control how they feel. Whether it’s blasting fast-paced songs to stay focused while running, or playing slower instrumentals to unwind after a long day, music is a powerful emotional tool. According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, one of the top reasons people listen to music is to regulate their mood, including top athletes [4]! One example I heard on the radio was about a New York Yankees baseball player, Anthony Rizzo who was in a slump. In an effort to reset his mindset, he began listening to Taylor Swift’s “. . . Ready For It?” before games. Believe it or not, he soon broke out of this slump, immediately improving his performance, going 4-for-4 with a home run! While it isn’t certain that the song caused it, the shift in mindset created by the music clearly played a role. Stories like these aren’t uncommon – the right song can be the mental switch someone needs to feel strong, focused, and prepared [3].

Beyond science and performance, music touches something deeper – our emotions and memories. Sometimes, a single lyric can feel as if it  was written just for us, or a melody brings us back to a specific moment in time. Just today, I was listening to a song by Shawn Mendes and was instantly transported to a memory from eight years ago. My sister and I were talking about how we could always recognize his voice and his songs because of his slight Canadian accent. That song didn’t just play, but lit up something in my brain, making me feel, remember, and reconnect. Scientists say this happens because familiar music can trigger dopamine, especially when it’s tied to personal memories. This emotional connection isn’t just in our heads – research shows that familiar music can activate memory circuits and even cause physical reactions like chills. According to Verywell Mind, those chills come from the brain’s reward system reacting to emotional triggers tied to personal memories [2]. Lyrics, rhythm, and melody can bring us closer to emotions we didn’t even know we were holding onto.

So, music is more than background noise or entertainment – it’s a tool for emotional expression, healing, and connection. Science has started to explain what many of us have always instinctively felt: that music speaks to our brains and hearts in ways that words can’t. Music is a beautiful form of poetry and sounds. Whether we’re pumping ourselves up for a big moment, trying to understand our own emotions, or connecting to memories from the past, music helps us feel more human. The next time a song gives you goosebumps or helps you through a tough day, just remember – your brain, your heart, and your memories are all listening.

[1]https://www.tmh.org/healthy-living/blogs/healthy-living/how-music-affects-your-mind-mood-and-body

[2] https://www.verywellmind.com/why-you-get-chills-listening-to-music-5087287

[3] https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-023-01110-9

[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3741536/

[5] https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/how-does-music-make-you-feel