For some, sad music actually deepens and amplifies the feelings of sorrow and loss – emotions that are connected to personal events and memories.

Who or what connected it?

We played them a piece of instrumental sad music, Discovery of the Camp by Michael Kamen, which was briefly played in the drama miniseries Band of Brothers.

Who or what played it?

In other words, we wanted to be sure that the participants’ emotional responses would be brought about by the music itself.

What 0r who brought about it?

The listeners were also asked to reveal a wide range of background measures including how prone they were to dwell in nostalgia and what their current mood, health, and quality of life was.

Participants who experienced being moved reported intense, pleasurable, and yet sad emotions at the same time.

What or who is moving it?

This response is driven by hormones such as oxytocin and prolactin, which actually induce the feelings of comfort, warmth and mild pleasure in us.

What drives it?

If empathy lies at the core of transforming this “drug” into pleasure or pain, could music itself be used to train people to be more empathetic?

What or who could use it?

We do not yet know, although music therapy is commonly used to rehabilitate people with emotional disorders, such as depression and low self-esteem.

What or who uses it?

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