The Thoughts of We

Why Do Humans Love Music? The answer to this question may surprise you. While some people are not musical, the vast majority of people do enjoy some type of music. This could be a result of a variety of factors. Studies show that people who listen to music are generally happier and more positive. Those who are depressed also tend to listen to less music, whereas those who are “amusic” have no problem with music.

One study looked at how human brains respond to different types of music. Researchers at McGill University examined the brains of 217 participants. They found that the participants responded the same way, regardless of the type of music being played. The researchers studied the subjects’ brains using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques. The subjects were also asked to rate their enjoyment of each type of music. The results showed that a person’s happiness was enhanced by the presence of music.

In a study published in 2012, Dr. Gasser analyzed brain activity in 8 healthy subjects. While their brains were being scanned, they listened to music excerpts in four conditions. After the scans, the participants rated how enjoyable the music was to them. The researchers also used fMRI to analyze the subjects’ responses to the music. They found that people who listen to music regularly are happier and more satisfied.