How Music Can Affect Your Mood

What’s your favorite song?

Without knowing you, it would be tough for me to guess, due to the number and variety of music styles. But it would be safe to assume that your favorite song most likely elicits a strong emotional response.

When people talk about their favorite music, they frequently describe it as occasionally giving them “the chills.” You’ve most likely experienced this with your favorite music. But the interesting part is that experiencing this sensation is not dependent on any one type of music.

Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute had participants bring in their favorite music. Although each participant reported an intense emotional reaction, the music genres ranged from classical to jazz to punk rock. With so much diversity, what was responsible for this fundamental emotional reaction?

The answer, as it turns out, is dopamine. Scientists at McGill University discovered a direct connection between the elation produced by music and the discharge of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Dopamine is a chemical substance released in the brain that has an effect on emotional regulation, pleasure, and rewards. As reported by Richard Depue, professor at Cornell University: “When our dopamine system is activated, we are more positive, excited and eager to go after goals or rewards, such as food, sex, money, education or professional achievements.”

So music is associated with dopamine, and dopamine to motivation, but the music itself is less important than the psychological reaction it brings about. This leads to some potent implications.

Let’s return to your favorite song. Has it ever given you “the chills” or provided a strong emotional reaction? If yes, you’ve just identified one of the best ways to release more dopamine into your system, which is a brain hack for positivity and inspiration.

So what type of music should you listen to realize these positive emotional responses? The main insight from the aforementioned research is that it depends solely on your preferences. The music can be happy, gloomy, upbeat, slow, instrumental, classical, rock, or rap. The secret is taking inventory of the emotional responses you obtain from various songs and genres.

Once you understand how you respond viscerally to particular songs, you can use those songs to bring about the sought after emotional reaction, producing the most effective emotional state for each situation.

For instance, if heavy metal gets you pumped up and inspired for a workout, you may want to listen to your favorite Metallica CD while heading to the gym. Conversely, if you’re trying to relax after a chaotic day at the office, perhaps the best of Beethoven is the approach to take.

And last, if you have hearing loss, consider that the latest hearing aid technology that can stream music wirelessly from portable devices directly to your hearing aids. This puts you in an exceptional position to make the most of this research.

Simply dial in your favorite music on your phone or portable device, deliver it wirelessly to your hearing aids, and let the dopamine start flowing.

By the way, what is your favorite song? And which songs or genres elicit strong responses or particular moods for you?