When Adele released her 2011 hit “Someone Like You,” the emotional depth of the song resonated with millions worldwide. More than ten years later, it remains one of her most beloved tracks. Her ability, along with many other artists who master the art of connecting through slow, poignant melodies, helps listeners process heartbreak and loss.
Music has long been known to soothe the soul, but a recent study suggests it might also help with physical pain. According to the research, published in Frontiers in Pain Research, listening to familiar songs can reduce pain perception, with melancholic songs offering the greatest relief.
“It’s not a substitute for Tylenol when you have a headache, but music can ease the discomfort,” explained Patrick Stroman, a professor of biomedical and molecular sciences at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. While not part of this study, Stroman has previously researched the link between pain and music, noting that unlike medication, music comes with no side effects, as long as the volume is kept at a reasonable level.
The study involved 63 young adults who brought two of their favorite songs, each lasting at least 3 minutes and 20 seconds. One was their all-time favorite, and the other was the song they’d choose for a desert island. The participants also selected one of seven unfamiliar relaxing songs chosen by the researchers. These options included “Cotton Blues,” “Jamaicare,” and “Nuit Cubaine.”
The Impact of Melancholy Music
During the experiment, participants listened to their chosen songs, one of the relaxing instrumental tracks, or a scrambled version of the songs that lacked their original structure. The participants also sat silently during one block. A hot object, simulating the sensation of a boiling teacup on the skin, was applied to the forearm to induce mild pain.
Those who listened to their favorite songs reported feeling less pain compared to those who listened to unfamiliar relaxing tracks or remained in silence. Interestingly, the scrambled versions of the songs did not offer pain relief, indicating that the benefits of music go beyond just distraction.
When researchers examined the song choices more closely, they found that participants who listened to bittersweet or emotional songs experienced more pain relief than those who listened to calming or cheerful music.
“It’s a fascinating result,” said lead study author Darius Valevicius, a doctoral student at the University of Montreal. “I think many people instinctively understand why we listen to melancholic or spiritual music.”
Frisson-Inducing Music and Pain Relief
Participants who listened to sad or bittersweet songs also reported experiencing chills, the tingling sensation often associated with pleasurable music. Valevicius believes these chills could be responsible for the pain-relief effects. He hypothesizes that these sensations may indicate “sensory gating,” where the brain filters out redundant or irrelevant stimuli, allowing it to focus more on the music and less on the pain signals. This could explain why the conscious perception of pain was reduced, even though the physical sensation remained.
The brain’s response to music appears to tap into the body’s natural pain-regulation system, Stroman explained. Music activates brain regions involved in pain processing and emotions, which can reduce the intensity of perceived pain by up to 10%. However, Stroman emphasized that this is not enough to replace medical treatment or medication.
While some may prefer upbeat tunes, music offers a range of health benefits beyond pain management, such as stress reduction and improving sleep. Valevicius himself has embraced these benefits, saying, “I’ve definitely let myself indulge a little more in listening to music.”