Does Music Make the Brain Happy? Science Says… Oh Yeah

What Happens in Your Brain When You Hear Music?

Let’s start with the basics: when you hear music—whether it’s Mozart, Metallica or Megan Thee Stallion—your brain lights up like a Christmas tree. Seriously.

Neuroscientists have found that music stimulates multiple regions of the brain all at once. That includes areas linked to emotion (amygdala), movement (motor cortex), and memory (hippocampus). But the real MVP here? The reward center — the nucleus accumbens.

This area is responsible for releasing dopamine, aka the "feel-good" neurotransmitter. That same chemical spike you get from chocolate, hugs, or a text from your crush? Yep. Music can do that too.

Dopamine: The Brain's Musical High

Researchers at McGill University actually measured this. In a now-famous 2011 study, people listening to their favorite music experienced a 9% increase in dopamine release. That’s roughly the same as having a slice of cake. Pretty sweet, right?

Oh, and by the way, even anticipating a musical drop or crescendo can trigger this response. The brain loves suspense. It’s like it gets high on its own predictions.

Does All Music Make Everyone Happy?

Now, not so fast. Just because music triggers dopamine doesn’t mean every tune hits the same for everyone.

Taste Matters More Than You’d Think

Some people cry listening to Chopin. Others blast EDM at 6 a.m. before work (don’t ask). It's all subjective. What matters is your emotional connection to the music.

And yeah, there's even a term for people who don't feel much from music: musical anhedonia. Roughly 3-5% of people are wired that way. Nothing wrong with it, but don’t expect them to start vibing at karaoke night.

Music as a Brain Booster (Sort Of)

Okay, so music makes you feel good — but can it also make you smarter? That’s where things get a bit murky.

The “Mozart Effect”... Is It Real?

You’ve probably heard that listening to Mozart makes babies smarter. But here's the thing: that whole “Mozart effect” theory got kinda blown out of proportion. The original study only showed a temporary boost in spatial reasoning — and only in college students.

Still, music training, especially learning an instrument, does change the brain in long-term ways. It strengthens memory, enhances motor coordination, and even increases grey matter in key regions. So yeah, there’s something to it. Just not instant IQ points from a playlist.

Mood Regulation: Music as Emotional Medicine

Let’s be real — we don’t just listen to music for the vibes. Sometimes we use it like therapy.

Music Helps You Cry (and That’s Good)

Ever put on a sad song just to let the tears flow? Turns out, that’s emotionally healthy. Psychologists call it affective regulation — using music to process your feelings.

And music therapy is a legit clinical tool. It's used to treat depression, PTSD, even Parkinson’s. Sometimes words aren’t enough. A melody can say more than a sentence ever could.

Can Music Make a Bad Day Better?

Honestly? Yep. Even a single upbeat track can shift your whole mood. There's a reason Spotify makes "Feel-Good Playlists" — because they work.

Of course, not every song is magic. Some days, nothing lands. (Been there.) But overall, music’s like a reset button for your brain.

Fun fact: A study in Finland found that people who listened to music daily had lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of life satisfaction. Coincidence? Maybe. But probably not.

Final Thoughts: So, Is the Brain Happy With Music?

Look, music isn't some miracle cure. But damn if it doesn't come close. From dopamine spikes to emotional comfort to brain training, it’s one of the most powerful — and totally free — tools we’ve got for mental wellbeing.

And yeah, maybe your playlist does know you better than your therapist. Just sayin’.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.