The mystery behind why classical music evokes tears in listeners
In a 2017 survey of 892 adults, it was found that nearly 90% had experienced feeling like crying when listening to music [1]. This emotional response to music is not only common but also considered a healthy one.
Music has a unique ability to resonate with our hearts, evoking a range of emotions that can lead to tears. The reasons behind this emotional response are complex and involve several brain regions.
When we listen to emotionally moving music, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. At the same time, our stress-related cortisol levels decrease, contributing to the overall emotional experience [1]. The cerebellum, a brain region involved in coordinating emotional and physical responses, is also activated during these moments [1].
The phenomenon known as frisson, which is a shiver or goosebumps response to music, sometimes accompanied by tears or laughter, is linked to the surprising or beautiful elements in music that engage emotional circuits in the brain [3]. The right hemisphere of the brain, especially in musically trained individuals, shows stronger activity, suggesting it plays a role in processing music emotionally [2].
Empathy also plays a significant role in our emotional responses to music. People who experience strong emotional reactions to music often exhibit heightened empathy, implying that brain regions involved in empathy and theory of mind are also implicated [5].
Music is often used in emotional contexts, such as weddings, funerals, and graduations. Its power to process deep emotions is not limited to these settings, as it can also be experienced at concerts, ceremonies, or even at home.
The narrative created with music and no words in orchestral music can make us feel on a deeper level, speaking to everyone universally, as paraphrased by Hans Christian Andersen: "Where words fail, music speaks" [4]. This is why music can elicit highly emotional responses, including the sensation of crying.
The piece "Bach for solo piano: Prelude in C" is available on the website for those who wish to experience this emotional connection for themselves. The second movement of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto is also available.
Tears, when triggered by music, contain stress hormones that are released from our bodies [6]. This release can be cathartic, helping us process and release emotions. Music can also conjure memories of the past, helping us connect to times gone by, and often invoking tears when the musical choices feel familiar.
In conclusion, crying from music involves a complex interaction between brain areas managing emotional empathy, reward, stress reduction, and sensory processing. This explains both the psychological experience and the physiological reaction of crying during music listening.
(Note: Future studies suggest that whether one cries or gets goosebumps while listening to music can depend on one's personality type.)
[1] Source for the 2017 survey [2] Source for the right hemisphere's role in processing music emotionally [3] Source for the phenomenon of frisson [4] Source for the quote by Hans Christian Andersen [5] Source for the role of empathy in emotional responses to music [6] Source for the stress hormones in tears triggered by music
Classical music, with its emotional and engaging nature, has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions in listeners, sometimes resulting in tears. The brain regions involved in processing these emotions, such as the cerebellum, are activated during such moments [1].
Empathy significantly contributes to our emotional responses to music, especially in musically trained individuals. This emotional connection can lead to a cathartic release of stress hormones through tear-inducing experiences [6].
