The Brain and Music

I don’t know whether anyone has ever done a scientific study that looks in the brain of someone who is “falling in love” and listening to love songs, but I think many of us can imagine what it might look like!  Many studies have been done that look at the brain of people who are experiencing extreme pleasure, whether it’s eating chocolate, having a sexual experience, or listening to/making favorite music!

When we’re in a state of infatuation, the world is rosy!  Life is good and music definitely serves to enhance that feeling!  What happens in the brain?  Probably something like this:

The music in this video is from the current generation of young people, but in my day, listening to Elvis sing “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” or the music from “South Pacific” or “Camelot” I’m sure my brain was probably doing the same thing!  What is your brain doing this Valentine’s Day?