Physical Responses to Auditory Stimuli: Uncovering the Science Behind Certain Sounds' Impact on the Body
Brain shivers, or frisson, are a fascinating phenomenon that many of us have experienced at some point in our lives. These physical sensations, characterised by chills, goosebumps, or slight euphoria, are triggered by intense emotional or sensory experiences, often caused by sudden unexpected changes in music or other stimuli.
Two common types of brain shivers are frisson and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR). Not everyone experiences these sensations, and this may be related to individual differences in emotional responsiveness, neural wiring, or personality traits.
Frisson is often triggered by music, especially sudden changes in harmony, volume, or emotional intensity. Certain sounds can trigger frisson when they involve unexpected musical changes or emotional peaks—such as a dramatic crescendo, a sudden harmonic shift, or evocative vocal expression—which catch the listener off guard and stimulate the brain's pleasure and arousal circuits. This phenomenon is enhanced by emotional contagion, where the emotion expressed in the music transfers to the listener, and by active engagement with the sound rather than passive listening. Context, such as listening in an immersive environment, can also intensify frisson.
ASMR, while less emotional and more calming, activates some of the same areas and also appears to lower heart rate and reduce stress. Common triggers for ASMR include whispering, tapping, crinkling sounds, page turning, keyboard typing, scribbling, and close-up voice recordings.
Studies using fMRI scans have found that people who experience frisson show increased activity in several brain regions, including the auditory cortex, amygala, and nucleus accumbens and ventral striatum. People who score high on a trait called "openness to experience" are more likely to report intense reactions to art and music, and may have more robust connections between their auditory and emotional brain centers.
Creating the right environment, being mentally open, and reducing distraction can help cultivate conditions that make brain shivers more likely. Sound is the most reliable catalyst for brain shivers. Using headphones can enhance sound immersion, and finding playlists or following ASMR creators that consistently affect you can help identify triggers. Listening in the dark removes visual distractions and heightens auditory sensitivity.
Some scientists believe frisson may be a byproduct of our early warning systems, while others think brain shivers are a kind of neural jackpot - a reward for deep listening and emotional attunement. Whether it's a survival mechanism or a delightful side effect of our complex brains, one thing is certain: brain shivers add a unique and exhilarating dimension to our sensory experiences.
References: 1. freeyourmusic.com/blog/frisson-playlist 2. 5
- Nootropics, designed to improve cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and focus, may serve as supplements to enhance the brain's responsiveness during intense sensory experiences like brain shivers.
- Meditation, a practice that cultivates mental health and wellness, can prepare the mind for heightened emotional responses and potentially amplify the occurrence of brain shivers.
- Fitness-and-exercise routines, by keeping the body active and reducing anxiety levels, might indirectly contribute to a more receptive mind, thus increasing the likelihood of experiencing brain shivers.
- The thrilling dimension of brain shivers, often caused by sudden changes in music or other emotional triggers, intertwines with the entertainment industry, capturing audience attention and providing unique experiences.
- Science continues to explore the intricacies of brain shivers, with studies suggesting they might be connected to ancient survival mechanisms or a sign of a neural jackpot associated with deep listening and emotional attunement.
- Music, a powerful catalyst for brain shivers, can resonate with our brains in profound ways, stimulating the amygala, auditory cortex, and pleasure circuits in our brains, as evidenced by fMRI scans.
- People who are open to a broad range of experiences, As attributed by the science of personality, are more prone to experience intense emotional reactions to art, music, and other sensory stimuli, such as brain shivers.
- To cultivate an environment conducive to brain shivers, consider techniques like reducing distractions, listening in the dark, using headphones for sound immersion, and following specific playlists or ASMR creators that consistently affect you, enhancing your overall mind-brain connection and sensory experiences.
