Chapter 1: The Emotional Impact of Music

On a typical rainy July day, I found myself seated at a coffee shop, gazing out at the drenched landscape while contemplating what to write next. My daydreaming was interrupted by the sound of a mug crashing to the floor, prompting me to glance back momentarily before returning to my thoughts.

Before I slipped back into my reverie, I noticed my foot unconsciously tapping to the rhythm of the music playing in the background. It struck me as amusing that I was doing this without even realizing it—such is the power of music.

While I'm no musician—having only taken piano lessons at 16 and dabbled with a tin whistle—I do have a scientific background. Although I’m not actively practicing, I enjoy poring over academic studies (provided they aren't behind paywalls, of course).

This involuntary foot-tapping led me to explore how music influences our emotions, which brings me to this discussion. Whether you're listening or reading, grab a cup of coffee and let’s delve into the significance of music in our lives.

The emotional effects of music are well-known. It can evoke tears, inspire hope, motivate action, or even incite anger. But how does it do this? Research indicates that music engages our feelings of prediction, surprise, tension, and anticipation at a fundamental level.

Consider your favorite song. What draws you to it? Is there a specific moment, perhaps the bridge, that you eagerly await? That anticipation and tension are all at play. You recognize that your favorite part is approaching as the song builds, keeping you in a state of suspense. Many songs utilize catchy verses that play into our predictive feelings, while effective music also includes unexpected elements; overly predictable tracks can lead to boredom.

By engaging these emotions, music triggers the release of dopamine in our brains. To put it simply, dopamine is a hormone associated with pleasure, similar to what is released during intimate moments or drug use. So, in a nutshell:

Music is akin to a euphoric experience. You can share that at your next family dinner!

A less controversial analogy would be to think of music as "auditory cheesecake," a term coined by psychologist Steven Pinker. He suggested that music is a delightful byproduct of human evolution, much like dessert—there's always room for it, and it leaves us wanting more.

This dessert metaphor transitions well into why we often find ourselves unconsciously tapping our feet to music. When you order your favorite dessert, your body reacts, doesn’t it? You might salivate or even bounce in your seat when the waiter approaches. These physiological reactions occur with music too. Certain songs can elevate our heart rate, cause sweaty palms, send chills down our spines, or prompt us to hum or tap along without even realizing it.

Music moves us, both physically and emotionally.

While I could wrap this up by stating, "In conclusion, music is addictive, and we're all hooked because it’s simply incredible," I recall some advice from my therapist when I mentioned my love for music: "Be cautious with music."

This warning lingered in my mind, especially after encountering a quote from a review article that resonated: "Music can alter our emotional state and has become ritualistic, serving as a tool to manipulate hedonic experiences."

So, are we all music addicts using it to manipulate our feelings?

If we think of music as dessert once more, having too much can lead to negative consequences (like diabetes or obesity). However, music doesn't harm us in the same way, does it?

Returning to my therapist’s words, the caution lies in music's ability to influence our emotions—a double-edged sword. Reflect for a moment: when was the last time you felt really down? Did you turn to music during that time? If you’re anything like me, you might have gravitated toward somber tunes. If you listened to artists like Phoebe Bridgers or Kodaline, it’s likely you were having a tough moment (and I'm glad you made it through).

But why do we reach for sad music when we’re feeling low? Wouldn't happier music serve us better? The reason is that we find some comfort in feeling understood through melancholy melodies. We use music to amplify our emotions, and surprisingly, it often rewards us with dopamine.

Sadness plus sad music equals a desire to continue listening.

Now, this next part is merely my perspective. I believe my therapist's caution is valid; we can become almost addicted to feeling one specific way—sadness, in this case. I’ve found myself stuck in a loop, playing sad songs for weeks or even months after a painful experience. It’s easy to get trapped in this emotional state, and this can apply to other feelings as well, like anger.

With this in mind, we should be vigilant about when music transitions from a tool for emotional understanding to a means of maintaining negative feelings. Lingering in a negative headspace can impede healing and hinder our ability to move on from what troubles us.

So, what’s next?

I don’t know about you, but I certainly won’t stop listening to music. How else could I endure public transport each day?

From a scientific viewpoint, music offers numerous benefits, which could fill an entirely different article. Personally, music serves as both an escape and a focus aid, helping me process my emotions. Yet, with my newfound insights and my therapist's advice, I believe we can learn to engage with music more mindfully, especially during moments of grief, anger, or sadness.

Moving forward, I plan to consciously choose uplifting music when I’m feeling down. Goodbye, Noah Kahn and Phoebe Bridgers; hello, ABBA!

The academic studies referenced in this post can be found at: