Taliyah Murray

What is the neurochemical basis for music's role in social bonding and emotional well-being?

Started July 29, 2024

Abstract or project description

Music is a language understood by all cultures of the earth and is known to bring deep emotional and cognitive responses while fostering social flow within groups. Music may influence social bonding, feelings of reward/pleasure, and mood by affecting key neurotransmitters in the brain associated with these variables. This review addresses whether music can enhance feelings of social connectedness, reduce stress, and impact overall emotional well-being by increasing the levels of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Additionally, the review discusses the therapeutic potential of music in disorders characterized by dysfunction of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin systems. Specifically, it highlights the use of music in interventions for mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and autism. Further research is crucial to uncover the impact of music on neurotransmitter systems, brain function, and mental/social health.