Listening to music together often strengthens the bond between people due to their shared experiences.

A recent study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, has revealed that among classical concert attendees, their physical responses like heart rate, respiration, and skin conductivity synchronize.

Interestingly, individuals exhibiting greater openness in their personality traits were more likely to synchronize, while those with neurotic tendencies tended to be less aligned.

This phenomenon is grounded in the concept of "embodied cognition," which proposes that the mind is intricately connected to the body, and the body exerts an influence over the mind.

While this theory is met with some controversy in the scientific community, it resonates intuitively with the average person.

To delve into this phenomenon, researchers observed 132 audience members across three classical concerts.

Each of these concerts featured the same repertoire performed by a string quintet.

The researchers utilized overhead cameras and wearable sensors to monitor the participants, who had previously completed personal questionnaires before the concerts.

They were also asked to share their enjoyment of the performances and their post-concert feelings. The study revealed a significant synchronization in various metrics: heart rates fluctuated in unison with the music, as did the "conductivity" of participants' skin.

Skin conductivity closely mirrors the body's "fight or flight" response.

Elevated skin conductivity suggests arousal, often causing goosebumps, while decreased skin conductivity signifies relaxation.

Remarkably, synchronized body movements were observed in the dimly lit concert hall.

It's worth noting that while participants' breathing rates were synchronized, they were not necessarily inhaling and exhaling in perfect unison. Instead, the overall rhythm of their breath showed synchronization.

As expected, individuals with traits reflecting "openness to new experiences" and "friendliness" were more likely to synchronize with others during the concerts.

On the other hand, those with higher neuroticism scores, who tend to exhibit fearful and depressive behaviors, were less likely to synchronize.

Strikingly, extroverts, known for their social nature, also demonstrated lower synchronization, which might seem counterintuitive. Extroverts, due to their social inclinations, tend to pay less attention to the music itself during such events.

Why Does the Brain Love Music?

This occurs because music triggers the brain's "reward pathway."

Research indicates that as studies delve deeper into the neural basis of music and emotions, more and more researchers are discovering a significant overlap between the neural mechanisms of music and the reward system.

Neuroimaging studies reveal similarities in how the brain's reward circuitry processes music and other rewards such as food, money, and alcohol. Activation of the reward system can provide individuals with pleasurable experiences.