You wake up to a song as your alarm clock, stream music while you crunch numbers at work, blast power workout playlists at the gym, and attend music festivals on the weekend. But did you know that what you’re listening to can actually affect how you act, feel, and think?
“The effect of music on the brain or body depends in part on its genre,” Frank A. Russo, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Ryerson University, tells Yahoo Health. But it also depends on whether or not you like the song. “Someone who is a ‘metalhead’ will be able to hear all sorts of emotions in music that others would generally hear as being aggressive,” he says.
Regardless of your taste in music, here are some things that happen in your brain and body every time you push play on Spotify.
Mood: Your mood is boosted due to the release of the “feel good” neurochemical dopamine.
Work Performance: You perform better on spatial tasks and standardised test.
Memory: Your form and recall memories due to the release of dopamine.
Skin: You actually experience physical sensations on your skin in response to particularly moving music.
Exercise ability: You’re able to push harder and longer in your workout due to music’s effect on your physical capacity.
Blood Pressure: Your blood pressure falls or rises depending on the speed and type of music you listen to.