When I was watching the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Olympics and Andrea Bocelli performed Nessun Dorma, I felt chills all over my body as a few tears rolled down my cheeks. I wasn’t sad. I was overwhelmed by feelings of deep happiness for the beauty I was hearing.
It got me thinking: Why do we react to emotional moments with chills and sometimes tears? And does everyone respond like this?
So I did some research on the internet and here’s what I found. According to NeuroLaunch:
“Experiencing chills from music, known as frisson, is a complex emotional and physiological response that involves brain activity, dopamine release, and personal sensitivity to music.“
Understanding Frisson
“Frisson is a French term meaning ‘shiver’ or ‘thrill,’ and it describes the pleasurable tingling sensation that often accompanies intense emotional experiences while listening to music. This phenomenon can manifest as chills, goosebumps, or even tears, and it typically occurs during moments of music climax, such as a powerful note or a dramatic crescendo.”
What is going on in our brain when we feel those chills from our strong emotional response to music?
“Musical frisson is characterized by a pleasurable tingling sensation that often starts at the back of the neck and spreads down the spine and limbs. It’s frequently accompanied by goosebumps, a quickening heartbeat, and sometimes even tears. If you’ve ever found yourself involuntary crying while listening to music, you’re not alone—it’s all part of this incredible emotional response.
The fact that only about half of us experience these intense reactions to music is fascinating. It raises questions about the nature of our individual relationships with sound and emotion. Are some people simply wired differently? Or is it a skill that can be developed over time?
When you experience that rush of tingles during a particularly moving piece of music, your brain is orchestrating a complex neurological performance. Several key regions light up like a Christmas tree, working in harmony to create this unique sensation.
The ventral striatum, a part of the brain associated with pleasure and reward, plays a starring role in this neural concert. It’s like the conductor, signaling the release of dopamine—our feel-good neurotransmitter. This flood of dopamine is similar to what occurs when we eat chocolate or fall in love. No wonder music becomes a coping mechanism for so many of us!
But it’s not just about pleasure. The amygdala, our emotional processing center, gets in on the action too. It’s responsible for interpreting the emotional content of the music, deciding whether to send those shivers down your spine. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex is busy analyzing the structure and anticipating the flow of the melody.
All of this neural activity doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s intimately connected to our autonomic nervous system—the part of our body that controls involuntary processes like heart rate and goosebumps. When the perfect musical moment hits, this system kicks into overdrive, causing those physical sensations we associate with frisson.
It’s a beautiful example of how our brains process emotional peaks in music. The crescendos, the unexpected harmonies, the soulful vocal breaks—they all contribute to this peak experience. But why does this happen to some people and not others?
The Chosen Few: Who Gets to Experience Musical Chills?
If you’re one of the lucky ones who gets goosebumps from your favorite tunes, you’re in good company—but not the majority. Studies suggest that only about 55% of people regularly experience musical frisson. That’s right, nearly half of the population might be missing out on this intense musical journey.
So, what sets the chill-getters apart from the rest? It turns out, quite a lot. Personality plays a significant role. Those who score high on the ‘openness to experience’ trait are more likely to feel the music in their bones. These are the folks who tend to be creative, curious, and emotionally sensitive. They’re the ones who might also find themselves getting emotional listening to music more often than not.
Conclusion
In summary, the chills we get from music are a fascinating interplay of neurological, emotional, and personal factors. Frisson not only highlights the profound impact music can have on our emotions, but also reflects the intricate workings of our brains as they respond to the beauty and complexity of sound. Whether through dopamine release, emotional processing, or individual sensitivity, the experience of chills from music is a testament to the power of music in our lives.”
So now you know more about what happens when music, or anything else, evokes chills and sometimes tears. As you read, only about half of us have these reactions. Many of us also are empaths, making us more emotionally sensitive to what is going on around us. If you are not an empath or not someone who experiences chills when hearing beautiful music or anything that sweeps you away emotionally (I get caught up in movies, TV shows and even commercials that touch me emotionally), I hope this blog helps you understand family members and friends who experience chills and sometimes tears when hearing music or other stimuli (I just got chills and teared up watching a Super Bowl commercial called Won’t You Be My Neighbor.) The kind thing to say to them is, “I can see that that really touched you” to communicate your acceptance of their reactions.
Invitation for Reflection
- Did this blog clarify for you why you and others get chills and even tear up when hearing beautiful music or some other emotionally powerful stimuli?
- Do you know which camp you fall into? How does that make you feel?
- If you are not an empath or someone who regularly experiences chills, can you now be more understanding and compassionate towards others who do?
Diane Wagenhals
Director Emeritus, Lakeside Global Institute