The Invisible Connection: Music and Emotions

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"What really happens in your brain when a song completely changes your mood?"

Heyyy everyone! It’s Alma again, and as you may know, or maybe not, in my blogs I usually talk about artists and their struggles with mental health, and how music helps them express what words cannot. This time, however, I want to do something different. Instead of focusing on different artists, I want to look at music from the perspective of the mind and psychology, to understand why music has such power over our emotions.

As I always say, music is magical. It has the ability to calm us, inspire us, or make us feel good when we need it most. With my minor in psychology, I’ve always been fascinated by how the brain reacts to different sounds and why a single song can completely change our mood.

We often think that when we listen to music we’re only using our ears. But what actually happens is that our entire brain lights up. The auditory cortex processes the sounds, the limbic system manages emotions, and the nucleus accumbens releases dopamine, a chemical related to pleasure and motivation. That’s why when you listen to your favorite song, your brain literally fills with happiness.

According to the Journal of Neuroscience (2022), listening to music stimulates areas of the brain that are also activated when we eat something we love or receive physical affection from someone we care about. Additionally, Harvard Health Publishing found that music can improve memory, concentration, and mood, especially when students listen to instrumental or lo-fi music while studying.

So it’s not just a coincidence if a song helps you focus or release stress. It’s your brain responding to a pretty powerful stimulus, so to speak.

Every rhythm, tone, or lyric we hear has the potential to move us emotionally. This is due to the direct connection between music and the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for handling all kinds of emotions. The effect music has on us depends on what type we listen to.

For example:

• A slow song can reduce anxiety and help you relax.

• A fast, cheerful melody can boost your energy and improve your mood.

• A sad ballad can help you release repressed emotions or process memories.

As with everything, each person reacts differently. Many factors including our history, personality, and experiences influence how we interpret the songs we hear. In psychology, this is called an individualized emotional response, and it shows that music is not just something we listen to, but something we feel in unique ways.

In psychology, there’s also a practice called music therapy, which uses music to enhance emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Simply listening, singing, or composing music helps people express difficult emotions, reduce stress, and strengthen self-esteem.

Studies have shown that music can:

• Lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone.

• Regulate heart rate and breathing.

• Improve communication and empathy.

Since my focus is usually on artists, I can’t forget to mention that many of them also see music as an emotional refuge. By writing or singing, they transform their feelings into art, and in doing so, they help us heal as we listen to different melodies.

Music is present in many moments of our lives like when we study, exercise, relax, or just want to disconnect from the world. Psychology has shown that listening to music activates brain regions related to self-esteem, creativity, and empathy, which can help us improve our daily emotional well-being.

That’s why it’s recommended to include music in our daily routines, not just to boost our mood, but also as a form of self-care. Sometimes, a song can be as therapeutic as a conversation.

Music is not just art; it’s a profound form of communication between the brain and the heart. It connects us with our emotions, reminds us who we are, and sometimes gives us the push we need to keep moving forward. No matter the language or genre, we all share something in common: music makes us feel alive. So next time you feel a song move you while listening, remember, it’s no coincidence. It’s your mind, your body, and your emotions vibrating to the same rhythm.

Sources:

Harvard Health Publishing (2023)
Journal of Neuroscience (2022)

American Psychological Association (2021)