Most of us know how hard music can hit you. Whether it instantly pumps you up or helps you unwind after a long day, music has an undeniable grip on our emotions. While you may have thought this was a subjective experience, there is real science happening inside your brain every time you listen to music.

When acoustic waves travel through your ears, they trigger a massive chemical chain reaction. According to a 2019 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, dopamine, the chemical responsible for motivation and joy, is released while we listen to music which causes that pleasure often felt. We can also see significant drops in our stress responses. According to research in Progress in Brain Research, listening to music effectively reduces levels of cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress. It’s why after only a few minutes of listening to your favorite song, you can feel your body go into a state of total relaxation.

However, the same can be said with music inducing sadness. According to research from the Journal of Consumer Research, when people are already down, they often listen to music that mirrors their emotions. While this can provide comfort, a review in Frotiners in Human Neurosciences notes that instead of providing relief, it can spike activity in the amygdala, the brains emotional alarm system, prolonging your sadness and making feels of depression or anxiety worse.

Despite this, music acts as a powerful tool that connects us to our biology and the people around us. According to neuroscientist Dr Dnaiel Levitin, group music-making and listening trigger the release of oxytocin, the “bonding hromone, which creates a sense of trust and empathy.

Ultimately, the key to protecting your mental health is simply intentional listening. It doesn’t matter if your playlist consists of heavy metal, 90s pop, or indie beats. Next time you feel overhwhelmed or completely drained, don’t wallow in tracks that keep you stuck there. Find a track that matches how you want to feel, and let your brain chemistry do the rest for you.