Dirty Soup’s creative neuroscientist Katherine Templar Lewis looks at the four brain chemicals affecting happiness and recommends music to help ease us back into the real world.
Today’s neurotransmitter of choice is Serotonin - the happy hormone.
Listen to the full playlist and find out more below.
KTL: From Nina Simone’s incredible version of Here Comes The Sun to Good As Hell by Lizzo, today’s playlist is likely to put a smile on your face. It’s all about music that elicits serotonin, the happy hormone.
Studies suggest it’s triggered by music with positive lyrics and medium-tempo melodies in major chords. Serotonin boosts our immune system and stabilises our mood, feelings of well-being and happiness.
A dose of serotonin-raising music is a great stress buster. Serotonin has a positive impact on our whole body, not just on our outlook or how we feel. It supports a healthy nervous system and the body in general whereas stress disrupts this by reducing our serotonin level.
When it comes to major feeling states, studies also show that lyrics appear to have greater power to direct mood change than music alone. That’s why ‘listening with intent’ helps trigger these happy vibes.
Here’s the good bit: the power of listening to uplifting music with positive lyrics can last up to 48 hours.