Why classical music helps beat the blues, even if you don’t know the songs

CLASSICAL music helps beat the blues by activating your brain’s reward center.

The best works of Bach or Beethoven can release chemicals that make you feel good, researchers have found.

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Its neurological effect improved someone’s mood, even if they didn’t know the songs.

Now, experts hope to use their findings to help patients with treatment-resistant depression.

In one trial, researchers examined and monitored electrical activity in the brains of 13 people with difficult-to-treat depression.

They found that listening to classical music synchronized brain waves in the auditory cortex and reward circuit.

This means they can trigger feelings of pleasure using sound.

Other things that increase the chemical reward of dopamine include sex, shopping, and food.

Professor Bomin Sun from China said the effects were strongest on music lovers.

Calm sound waves boosted it for those with little appreciation for music.

Prof Sun said: “Music can evoke strong emotions.

“We hope to develop effective music therapy.”