Usually, sadness is perceived as a negative emotion. However, in an artistic context, sadness tends to be considered pleasant, a surprising phenomenon known as the paradox of pleasure in listening to sad music. Research shows that the well-being people feel when listening to sad music is due to several factors, including nostalgia, empathy and a sense of relaxation. The sadness felt while listening to music can be pleasant and can amplify the pleasure of listening to music, researchers say, according to Agerpres.
A new study involving 50 Music students has shown that there is a direct link between sadness and pleasure, after 82% of participants said that the songs they listened to no longer made them feel the same well, after the sad component has been removed.
“The results of the study show that the sadness felt while listening to music can be pleasurable and can even amplify the pleasure of listening to music. And one explanation would be that experiencing a wide range of emotions in a relatively safe environment can help us learn to better manage real-world experiences,” explained the study’s author, Prof. Emery Schubert, from the Empirical Musicology Laboratory in the School of the Arts & Media, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, in Sydney, Australia.
But there are other factors that can contribute to the emotional paradox of music.
1. Relaxation. Sad songs are often characterized by a slower tempo and lower pitches compared to other music genres. These sound features can help lower blood pressure and heart rate, relax muscles, and lower cortisol levels in the body. In a study published in June 2020 in the journal Emotion, researchers investigated the music preferences of people previously diagnosed with depression. They found that participants overwhelmingly preferred sad music over more cheerful pieces because they found it relaxing. The researchers concluded that less cheerful songs were comforting for people with depression because they better matched their energy levels.
Also, a data synthesis published in November 2017 in Cochrane examined information from nine previous studies including more than 400 people with depression. Results revealed that integrating music therapy into the treatment of depression (along with other interventions such as medication and counseling) helped manage depressive symptoms and improve individual performance in areas such as daily activities, interpersonal relationships, and work responsibilities.
2. Nostalgia. Sad music is a powerful trigger of nostalgic memories of times gone by. Recalling meaningful moments and experiences can have a profound effect on mood, providing a feeling of warmth and fulfillment. Also, reflecting on the past reinforces the idea of continuity of one’s identity, improving mood. Studies have shown that nostalgia helps us discover deeper meaning in life through social connections and continuity of self. The psychological benefits of nostalgia derive from its ability to connect us, both with those around us and with our own being.
“We can say that nostalgia is a kind of wealth that we carry inside us. We have accumulated positive experiences from the past that strengthen our self-confidence and self-esteem,» explained Verbon Cheung, a social psychologist at the University of Winchester, for the Washington Post. It is possible that in times of transition or when we are facing challenges we feel nostalgia more intensely, as it can help balance and regulate emotions. In conclusion, nostalgia can be a useful tool for dealing with life’s uncertainties. Thoughts of happier times not only provide comfort in the present, but also inspire and motivate for the future.
Nostalgia activates the same brain mechanisms that allow us to return to the past and project into the future. Brain imaging studies indicate that nostalgia activates brain regions involved in self-reflection, autobiographical memory, emotion regulation, and reward. Increased activity was seen in the hippocampus, an area of the brain essential for both remembering the past and projecting the future.
3. The feeling of connection. A new study suggests that listening to sad music can positively influence a person’s mood by inducing a sense of connection. Researchers hypothesize that people prefer this form of expression for the same reasons they value honest conversations – creating a strong emotional connection. For example, when someone shares a painful experience with you, such as a breakup, you may feel sad because of the pain and loneliness that person feels. However, as the conversation progresses, you may feel that the interaction becomes meaningful and that you feel connected in a special way to the person. Studies suggest that listening to sad music creates a sense of “emotional communion,” where we share feelings of sadness with the performer or composer. This experience can act as a form of virtual contact, helping the listener feel accepted, understood and less alone. Listening to sad music also allows us to connect with our own emotions and reflect on our experiences, helping to regulate our mood.
4. Prolactin. From a biological perspective, sad music is associated with prolactin, a hormone known primarily for its role in breast milk production, but which can also have effects on emotional and psychological state. Some studies have suggested that high levels of prolactin may be associated with a general feeling of relaxation and calmness, as this hormone can influence the release of other brain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin, which are involved in regulating mood and emotions. Prolactin may also play a role in how we perceive and manage stress. There is some evidence that elevated prolactin levels may be involved in reducing the stress response and alleviating pain. The effect of sad music on the body is fascinating because it manages to induce a compensatory physiological response by stimulating the release of prolactin in the brain. In the absence of a traumatic event, this release of prolactin causes the body to experience a pleasurable sensation similar to that of opiates, with no other specific destination for these substances. Thus, prolactin released by listening to sad music may help induce a sense of calm.
5. Empathy. Several studies have shown that people who feel best when listening to sad music have certain characteristics in terms of empathy. They have a great ability to think about how others feel and to imagine different scenarios, and their personal level of discomfort due to the negative emotions of others is reduced.
Essentially, these people feel good when they listen to sad music because they can feel and understand other people’s emotions, and this makes them feel connected. They also don’t let themselves be overwhelmed by the sadness of those around them. This model of empathy may be relevant in other situations, not just sad music, explaining why people feel drawn to tragic depictions or portrayals.
