How deeply music resonates with humans has been one of the great mysteries of human nature.
Feeling music deeply is a common and natural experience. This feeling arises from the way our brains and bodies respond to auditory stimuli.
You might be surprised to know that this sensation has a name. It is called the feeling of frisson according to some scientists.
This feeling of chills or goosebumps is in response to emotionally powerful music or any other aesthetic experience.
Why and how does this happen?
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Reasons Why People Feel Music Deeply
Frisson is a fascinating and relatively common phenomenon that has intrigued researchers and artists for centuries.
Here are several reasons why you might feel music on a deep emotional level.
Emotional Resonance
Music can evoke strong emotions. This is because it taps into the limbic system of the brain, which is responsible for processing emotions.
Certain musical elements can align with an individual’s emotional state, memories, or experiences.
Melodies, rhythm, or lyrics can trigger memories, associations, or past experiences, creating an emotional response.
A piece of music could reflect or amplify the emotions we are currently feeling or have felt in the past.
This creates a powerful and profound connection and is one reason people feel the music deeply.
Hearing a song that captures the emotions we are experiencing can make us feel understood.
Sometimes, even less alone in our feelings. This sense of empathy and identification enhances emotional resonance with the music.
Brain Connectivity
When we listen to music, multiple areas of the brain are engaged. Various regions of the brain become active and connect with each other.
This synchronized brain activity can enhance emotional response.
Therefore it makes the emotional experience of music more intense and profound. The auditory cortex processes the sound.
Other brain regions like the limbic system, which is responsible for emotions, and the prefrontal cortex, involved in decision-making and memory, become active.
This neural activation plays a vital role in our emotional experience of music.
Release of Neurotransmitters
Music can trigger the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that play a crucial role in transmitting signals between nerve cells (neurons).
These neurotransmitters include dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, hormones associated with pleasure, happiness, and bonding.
Oxytocin is often referred to as the “love hormone” or “bonding hormone.
Dopamine is the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, while Serotonin is associated with mood regulation and feelings of happiness.
These chemicals contribute to the emotional highs you may experience while listening to music.
When you listen to music that resonates with your emotions, certain brain areas are activated. In turn, releases these specific neurotransmitters.
Personal Experiences
Music that resonates deeply with you often reflects your personal experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
When a song’s lyrics or mood aligns with your situation, it creates a sense of connection and understanding.
This intensifies the emotional impact. In fact, people often use music deliberately to influence their mood.
When we seek out music that aligns with our desired emotional state, it can enhance or amplify that emotion.
For example, listening to soothing music while you feel stressed can have a calming effect.
Psychological and Personality Factors
Individual differences in personality traits and psychological characteristics can also affect how deeply you feel about music.
For instance, highly empathetic people are more inclined to have intense emotional reactions to music.
Also, individual differences in brain structure and function can influence how people process and respond to music emotionally.
Empathy and Mirror Neurons
The human brain is wired for empathy. When you listen to music with strong emotions, mirror neurons in your brain may activate.
These neurons allow you to empathize with the emotions expressed in the music. Hence, the profound emotional experience.
Catharsis
Music can serve as a cathartic outlet for emotions.
It allows you to process and release pent-up feelings, offering a sense of relief and emotional release.
Many people use music as a coping mechanism during challenging times.
By connecting with emotionally charged music, individuals may find solace or strength to navigate through difficult situations.
Listening to music that addresses themes of struggle, empowerment, or overcoming obstacles can create a sense of validation and empowerment.
This validation can be emotionally uplifting and lead to a more profound connection with the music.
Cultural Conditioning
Your cultural background and exposure to specific musical styles and genres can influence how you perceive and feel the music.
Music is deeply intertwined with culture. Individuals within a particular culture learn and internalize the values, beliefs, norms, and aesthetics of their society differently.
The way people perceive and connect with music is heavily influenced by their cultural background.
Cultural music often holds a sense of nostalgia and identity for people.
The familiar sounds and melodies of your cultural music can evoke a sense of belonging and connection to your heritage and community.
This leads to a deeper emotional response.
Rhythmic Entrainment
Entrainment refers to how the body rhythms, such as heart rate, breathing, or brainwave activity, sync to external rhythmic stimuli, like music.
When we listen to music with a distinct and steady beat, our bodies and minds have a natural tendency to synchronize with that rhythm.
This synchronization can lead to a calming effect or heightened emotional experiences.
Physical synchronization might lead to tapping your feet, nodding your head, or even causing you to start dancing.
Neural Synchronization can also influence brainwave activity.
This rhythmic entrainment contributes to a deep emotional connection with music.
Artistic Expression
Music is a form of artistic expression that communicates emotions and ideas uniquely although abstractly.
It has the ability to evoke emotions without relying on explicit language or imagery. Hence music is generally referred to as the universal language of emotion.
For artists and listeners, music can be a way to express emotions that are difficult to articulate through words alone.
The emotional authenticity and vulnerability in music can resonate deeply with listeners. It makes them feel connected to the artist’s emotional journey.
Musical Triggers
Certain musical features are particularly effective in eliciting frisson. This could be an unexpected chord progression, emotional crescendos, or powerful vocal performances.
Sometimes, the combination of tension and release in the music seems to play a crucial role.
Do Some People Feel the Music More Deeply Than Others?
Not everyone experiences frisson. Studies show that only about 55% of people experience this sensation.
Also, the intensity and frequency of frisson can vary among individuals. Some people are more prone to feeling music more deeply than others.
This could be due to differences in personality traits, emotional sensitivity, and openness to new experiences.
Individuals who are highly emotionally sensitive may be more attuned to the emotional nuances in music.
They might have a greater capacity to empathize with the emotions expressed in the music, leading to deeper emotional connections.
Also, people with a strong musical background or extensive exposure to music may develop a deeper appreciation for musical elements.
Some studies suggest that people with higher levels of cognitive processing might be more prone to experiencing frisson.
Conclusion
As discussed, feeling music deeply is a complex interplay of neurobiological, psychological, and cultural factors.
Music has a remarkable capacity to elicit strong emotional responses. It allows us to connect with our own emotions, memories, and the experiences of others.
Accordingly, music is an incredibly powerful and meaningful aspect of human life.
