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After a long day of school, you sit down on the bus and pop in your AirPods. The stress of the day rolls off your shoulders as your favorite song begins to play. But why does it calm you down? Why does music have the ability to evoke emotions?
The reason was unknown to scientists until recently. A study conducted by Valorie Salimpoor, a neuroscientist at McGill University, shows a positive correlation between the release of dopamine and listening to music. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that interacts with the pleasure and reward centers of the brain, which impacts how happy we feel. While music can influence our happiness, it can also affect other emotions. We tend to listen to music that corresponds with the emotion we’re currently feeling, for example, by gravitating towards a song with a particularly slow or mellow beat when we’re feeling down, or an upbeat pop song when we’re with friends. Next time you’re experiencing a strong emotion, pay attention to the type of music you’re playing.
Listening to high energy, happy music can also boost creativity, according to The Garage Group, who emphasizes the importance of creativity in the modern world. While music can positively affect creativity, it can also negatively impact concentration. Playing your favorite song while doing math homework is not the best idea. This is because music is distracting and can affect your performance and concentration on your task. Next time you’re studying for a big test, keep the loud music to a minimum.
Everyone has their favorite songs, and whether that’s good 4 u or Knife Talk, it’s important to listen to them as they’re genuinely good for you. A little music never hurt anyone, unless it’s too loud, and it also has benefits like lifting your mood and increasing your creativity. Next time you’re out with friends or enjoying the moment, put on your favorite tunes and soak up the memories.
