Chapter 01 of 5
The Shiver Down Your Spine
Why some songs give you goosebumps, and what's happening in your brain when they do.
- The Feeling
Musical chills
You're listening to a song and suddenly feel a tingle up your spine, goosebumps on your arms. Scientists call it "frisson".
- The Word
Frisson
Frisson is French for "shiver". Many people describe it as a wave of pleasure washing over the skin.
- The Spread
Not everyone
Studies suggest more than half of people get musical chills, though estimates vary a lot. Some never do.
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Could you answer this?
What did a 2011 study find the brain releases at peak musical moments?
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🧠 Why Music Moves Us
- 01The Shiver Down Your SpineWhy some songs give you goosebumps, and what's happening in your brain when they do.
- 02The Thrill of ExpectationHow music plays with your predictions, and why familiar songs feel so good.
- 03EarwormsWhy songs get stuck in your head, and the science-backed ways to get them out.
- 04The Pleasure of Sad SongsWhy we choose music that makes us cry, and why it can feel so good.
- 05Music That RemembersWhy the songs of your youth stick for life, and how music reaches people when memory fades.