Gabby Sandoval, Events Manager and Liaison
Music is a universal language that undoubtedly unites us all, under the various rhythms, beats, tempos, and instrumentals that are found to be appealing to our ears. One genre in particular under the title of “house music” has found its way into many college dorms, parties, gatherings, and cars. While house music is popular for its diversity in artists and song choices, it also provides benefits to the human body.
The beats per minute (bpm) in music is linked to a human heart rate. So, the higher the bpm in music, the higher your heart rate is. The more your heart rate increases, the more excited you and your body get. Beats per minute (bpm) plays a fundamental role in how humans process music; and house music has an average speed of 120 to 130 BPM. Studies show that music that lies between 90 to 150 BPM produces greater feelings of happiness and joy as well as diminishing emotions associated with sadness. This relates to the pleasure it is to listen to house music.
Research by The Glasgow Insight Into Science and Technology (TheGIST) showed that when it comes to house music specifically, the build-ups and drops are intensely “rewarding” for the body. This is because when we hear a build-up in music, our body anticipates a crazy drop coming up and therefore prepares for it, leaving you feeling excited and tense. Your body responds to that drop by releasing a dopamine hit which satisfies your brain in a positive way.
TheGIST has also mentioned that the social aspect of listening and dancing to house music in a crowd is good for you. The reasons why are easy to guess, given that dancing releases endorphins and house music releases dopamine. With these elements combined, dancing to house music serves as an all around excellent experience. Humans are also social creatures, so when in a room full of others enjoying themselves and dancing, a collective positive mood can be produced. This is caused by our brains subconsciously mimicking the emotions of those around you.
A study conducted by the International Music and Talent Agency (MN2S) also researched how the brain reacts to house music and found that "The repetitive patterns and ambient soundscapes are unobtrusive and stimulating, aiding concentration without distracting,". This means that you can listen to house music while studying and gain some benefit from doing so.
While it feels physically rewarding to listen to house music, it is always refreshing to have science back up positive effects of listening to this kind of music. Whether you consider yourself a fan or not, house music is one of the best genres to throw on in the background at a small gathering, listen to while you're studying, or blast it through the speakers with your windows down when you just need to move.