How Does Music Affect OUR Emotions?

By Emily Junaedi, 2027

Published 11/17/2023

Music is universal. It can be found in headphones, parties, videos, waiting rooms, and various other places. The results from a conducted research stated that only 28% of Americans said that they could live without music, and it is clear why that number is so low. Music can form new ways of looking at society and in other parts of life. Music is a big part of our lives; it is a certain form of art that makes us feel a variety of emotions. But how exactly does music affect us? Why does it make us feel these emotions?

The sound of music increases the amount of blood flowing to the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls the emotions you feel. Music also activates neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which results in a pleasant feeling. Music-making, like singing, can help reduce the stress hormone cortisol because it keeps breathing steady in a relaxing pattern. Singing in a group can make people feel more connected because of the hormone oxytocin, which makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

Obviously, music doesn’t always make us feel happy. Music connects us to many types of memories, and the tone of the song can bring out certain emotions. It can also intensify our current mood because it connects us to personal moments and events. Not everyone will feel the same emotion from one song, however. For instance, a piece of music may intensify anger in some while deepening sadness in others. Sometimes, it doesn’t connect us to a certain memory, but we can feel like crying because we experience a sensation of admiration. The song provokes us to think deeper of ourselves and society.

Have you ever wondered why you and someone else might have different music preferences? Your personality and context have proven to be important factors in causing this. Context could be, for example, the current time of the day. Research shows that people like to listen to energetic music during the day, while relaxing music is usually played during the evening.

From the upbeat songs over the speakers in Stop & Shop to the suspenseful music in a James Bond movie, music is used in so many different ways in our lives. Music will always affect our mood, helping us bond with other people and cope with emotions.