Is music a drug? How music listening may trigger neurochemical responses in the brain
Musicae Scientiae March 18, 2024 Mark Reybrouck, Edith van Dyck 6 citations
Listening to music can produce neurological and psychological effects resembling those of psychoactive substances. Drawing on recent work in psychedelic therapy and neuropsychopharmacology, the authors compare the mechanisms underlying peak experiences from music and drugs. They suggest that music acts as an alternative psychoactive trigger, prompting neurochemical responses in the brain that lead to feelings of coping, aesthetic pleasure, and reward.