I’ve always felt like music connects to something deeper in me. Not just in a “this song is good” way but in a “this song just opened a memory I didn’t know I still had” kind of way. For example, hearing “Scream and Shout” by WILL.I.AM  immediately brings me back to my elementary school days where I would compete in what was known as fitness challenges with classmates where we would run around with all different kinds of loud music. Or how “Watch me Whip” by Silento reminds me of dancing with my friends and trying our best to do the Whip/Nae Nae dance.

I used to think I was just being nostalgic. But it turns out, there’s a scientific reason for why music affects me and many others so strongly.

A recent study by Toader et al. (2023), titled “Cognitive Crescendo: How Music Shapes the Brain’s Structure and Function”, helped me understand what’s happening in my head when I listen to music. According to their research, music is one of the most cognitively complex experiences we can have. It lights up multiple areas of the brain at once, including those responsible for pitch, rhythm, memory, emotion, and even movement.

The fMRI scans above are from the study and were taken during musical listening tasks.What stood out most to me was how music activates the limbic system—the part of the brain that helps process emotions and store memories. That includes the amygdala, which handles emotional response, and the hippocampus, which helps consolidate memories. This explains why music can bring out such strong feelings and why a certain song can trigger a vivid memory.

The study also mentions that even unfamiliar music, if we perceive it positively, can activate these emotional areas of the brain.. I always assumed nostalgia played the biggest role, but apparently, the brain responds deeply to musical structure, tone, and emotion even on a first listen. This might explain why some melodies give me chills for no obvious reason.

According to the brain imaging results, regions like the anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, temporal poles, and nucleus accumbens are all involved during music listening especially when we find the music enjoyable. These areas are part of our emotional reward system, which means the pleasure we get from music isn’t just subjective but it’s chemical.

This research helped me understand my own habits better. I tend to use music like a tool. I’ll throw on calming tracks while I study or journal, and something more upbeat when I’m getting ready to go out. I’ve even noticed that certain playlists help me feel more motivated or centered. What I used to think of as a certain vibe is actually a neurological response with my brain releasing dopamine as part of a reward loop triggered by rhythm, harmony, and tone.

The study also explored how music can be used therapeutically, including for patients recovering from strokes or dealing with depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. It shows that music isn’t just for fun but it can be part of serious recovery and healing. I think that explains why so many people naturally turn to music when they’re going through something. It’s not just comforting. It actually works on our brains.

Above is a picture of my different playlists that I turn to depending on the type of “vibe” that I want. I have one for when I’m feeling anxious and need to calm downI have another for when I need to focus while studying. Then there’s my high energy playlist, which I turn to when I need to listen to something to get me motivated. Each one serves a different purpose and they’ve all become part of my life.

Reading this study made me realize that music isn’t just a background soundtrack to our lives but it’s a fundamental part of how our brains operate. The fact that it can improve memory, lower stress, and even help rewire damaged parts of the brain is wild to think about. 

CSE Name-Year Citation:

Toader C, Tataru CP, Florian I-A, Covache-Busuioc R-A, Bratu B-G, Glavan LA, Bordeianu A, Dumitrascu D-I, Ciurea AV. 2023. Cognitive crescendo: how music shapes the brain’s structure and function. Brain Sci. 13(10):1390. doi:10.3390/brainsci13101390.