Music, a universally understood and appreciated artistic form of expression. We use it to amplify or suppress emotions, share in creativity, empathize with others, and even to wreak havoc. Music is so important we find our own identity in many of the countless forms and genres. Music has the power to ignite rebellions, spark innovation, establish peace, and inspire love. So, let’s take a look at current research in an attempt to understand the neurochemistry of music and how music is so influential.
Reward, Motivation, Pleasure
Music is associated with countless emotions but is most commonly associated with sensations of joy, accomplishment, and determination. Because of this, initially, we will focus on music’s implications on the reward pathway. Music can trigger short-term behavioral changes and temporarily inhibit feelings such as stress and/or anxiety. While listening, music serves as a reward stimulus which ultimately amplifies the reward pathway triggering dopaminergic transmissions and the release of endogenous opioids (naturally produced within the organism). Dopamine in this case serves as a regulator of motivation and goal-directed behaviors in the reward system. The feelings that are associated with musical reward are mediated by a region of the brain called the mesocorticolimbic system. The actions of motivation, learning, and goal-directed behavior are mediated by the dopaminergic neurons in the specific brain region called the ventral tegmentum (VTA), which projects to another region called the Nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The endogenous opioids released during musical reward in the NAc are what provide the reward feeling of pleasure. The involved neurochemicals interact with receptors at different sites of action, so dopamine and opioid release can each affect various actions/behaviors.
Stress and Immune function
Many environmental triggers can stimulate stress responses in the body and when these responses are activated, they prompt short-term adaptive behaviors, physiological changes, and inhibit non-essential functions (sympathetic nervous system). It has been found that slow tempo, low pitch, non-lyrical music can reduce stress and anxiety in healthy subjects ultimately protecting against the neurotoxic effects of long-term stress. Listening to music or participating in music-making has been shown to decrease inflammation and have positive effects on the immune system. However, it remains uncertain if these effects are due to the mood-regulating function of music, the camaraderie of making music in a group atmosphere, or some other factor. What data has shown is that group music increased Natural killer cell (NK) activity, increased 5-DHA-to-cortisol ratio (reduces level of stress), enhanced immune functioning, decreased stress-induced cytokines (important factors in inflammation), counteracted age-related decline in immune function, and significantly increased the total number of lymphocytes (defensive cells of the immune system). Passively listening to music and group singing had similar effects.
Social Affiliations
Music has also been found to influence the neurochemicals oxytocin and vasopressin. Oxytocin is a vital neuropeptide involved in the establishment and maintenance of social health but can have contradicting effects. Oxytocin can facilitate increased social health and development of connections, but its levels also increase during periods of separation and social isolation. This facet demonstrates oxytocin’s additional role as a distress signal in social or nonsocial situations indicating that context matters. Vasopressin is a molecule that closely regulates social behavior (affiliative, social, & romantic behaviors) and whose gene regulates oxytocin activity. Endogenous opioids (b-endorphin) may also play a role in pain signaling in response to social isolation. Low levels of endogenous opioids or opioid antagonists promote separation distress behaviors and lead animals to seek out contact, while increased opioid levels reduce these behaviors. Music could potentially increase opioid production, leading to a sense of comfort. Through the increased actions of neurochemicals like oxytocin, vasopressin, and endogenous opioids stimulated by music, there is a potential link between music and the establishment and maintenance of social bonds in a variety of social and nonsocial contexts.
Conclusion
We understand music to have a significant impact on our lives, visible through our emotions, behaviors, and interactions. However, there remains much to learn about the exact mechanisms by which music influences our neurochemistry as many of the current studies exhibit significant limitations, therefore, continued future study is necessary to fully elucidate the profound influences of the phenomenon we call music.
