Jake Johnson, sales associate, recommends a guitar for Cole Heath to play at King of Trades in downtown Lethbridge on Feb. 25. Photo by Alyse Miller.

Music is woven into the elements of human life. Individuals use music in a lot of different ways whether it is to improve movement or motivation, feel relaxed or just feel any type of emotions. Music allows our body to express ourselves completely. From a steady beat of a drum to the soothing voice of a singer, music has a special ability to move us in ways that language alone cannot. Music gathers people through culture, age and interest, but beyond its role of art, music helps individuals express emotions and influences health on a deeper level. 

Science has confirmed what humanity has always sensed. Music touches the mind and body. It can enhance intense emotions like calming people’s anxiety, energizing the body when it’s tired or less motivated and bringing tears to the eyes with sadness or happiness. Overall music can ignite a fire of all sorts of emotions. 

In this article we break down how music affects individuals mental health positively. 

According to an article on How Music Affects Mental and Emotional Health: The Science of Sound published in My Well-Being.me by Purnima Raj on Feb. 25, 2026, “Music is more than just a background soundtrack to our lives; it is a powerful neurological tool that can shift our biochemistry in minutes.” 

“I definitely use music as a stress reliever and it’s a healthy outlet. I always feel different after I’m in a bad mood and then I go play some guitar and listen to music and it usually changes after that… My mood instantly improves,” says Jake Johnson, guitar tech and sales associate at King of Trades in downtown Lethbridge. 

Stress is a universal human experience, but music can alleviate the stress and offers a natural antidote. Listening to calming music can reduce levels of cortisol. Then allowing your body to slow heart rate, lower blood pressure and help relax tense muscles. 

“Music can act as a natural pharmacology for our brain. When listening to music the brain releases a cocktail of chemicals that directly impact our mood. Dopamine, oxytocin and cortisol reduction are some of the impacts that occur,” says Conrad Boehme, psychologist at Cardston Highschool. 

Dopamine – the reward chemical

When you listen to a “peak” moment in a song, your brain releases dopamine. Fast paced, favourite music can provide a sense of pleasure while eating, dancing and finishing a dull task. 

Oxytocin – the connection hormone 

Choral or choir singing increases oxytocin which can lower social anxiety and increases feelings of interpersonal trust and bonding. Oxytocin is also released when you attend a concert or sing in a group, which helps humans feel better connected. 

Cortisol Reduction – is the bodies primary stress hormone 

With slow tempo music humans heart rates are decreased and the nervous system is calmed. Especially when it comes to steady music around 60 to 80 BPM. 

According to the same Purnima Raj article about How Music Affects Mental and Emotional Health: The Science of Sound, “Science suggests that music is one of the few activities that involves using the whole brain. It isn’t just entertainment; it’s a biological necessity for emotional regulation.” 

Boehme says he agrees completely with the Purnima Raj article, “As a registered psychologist. I have utilized music to help me cope with loss and grief. I personally get frisson which is shivers or goosebumps or aesthetic chills. Apparently frisson occurs due to a sudden spike of dopamine in the brain’s reward system.” 

Furthermore, music has the capacity to create integration in the brain through the limbic (or emotional center of the brain) communicating with the prefrontal cortex (the higher part of the brain.) As well as left and right hemisphere integration (language and emotional integration. 

“You know I have always gotten goosebumps when playing or listening to music. I know that isn’t everybody. There’s scientific research and specific chords and structures that all connect muscle. That’s like the power chords on guitar is super common because they’re perfect fits,” said Colin Bieganek, Purchaser of music at King of Trades. 

Why do goosebumps happen when listening to music? 

It’s because of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The same neurotransmitter that gets released when people take drugs, when people kiss each other and when people eat surgery foods. Not all people experience goosebumps during music, but a lot can. 

In conclusion music helps shape health and emotions. It is a source that can help calm stress, sharpen memory, ease pain, connect people with communities and help people with a sense of belonging.