An international study suggests that our brain and body don't merely perceive music—they physically resonate with it. This finding, based on research in neuroscience, music, and psychology, supports the theory of neural resonance (TRN).
The TRN posits that musical experiences, rather than relying on assumptions or predictions, stem from the brain's natural oscillations synchronizing with rhythm, melody, and harmony. This resonance shapes musical pleasure, rhythmic perception, and the inclination to move to the beat.
"According to this theory, music exerts its effect not only because it reaches our ears but because it becomes one with our brain and body," explained Caroline Palmer, professor in the Department of Psychology at McGill University and director of the Sequential Production Laboratory. "This has major implications for therapeutic, educational, and technological applications. The study, published in
Nature Reviews Neuroscience, is the first to provide a comprehensive overview of the TRN in a single article," she added.
The TRN suggests that structures like pulse and harmony reflect stable resonance patterns in the brain, common to all individuals regardless of musical training. According to the TRN, the way we perceive and produce music stems from fundamental dynamic principles of human brain mechanisms, spanning from the ear to the spinal cord and limb movements.
The research team believes this theory could have several applications:
- Therapeutic tools for conditions such as strokes, Parkinson's disease, and depression
- Emotionally intelligent artificial intelligence (AI) capable of reacting to or producing music like humans
- New learning technologies to support rhythm and pitch education
- Cross-cultural insights into why music brings people together worldwide
The study was led by Edward Large (University of Connecticut) in collaboration with Caroline Palmer.