Some people experience intense physical reactions like goosebumps when listening to music - a phenomenon linked to special neural connections in their brains. This unique trait, scientifically studied by researcher Matthew Sachs at Harvard, reveals fascinating insights about how our brains process music.

People who get music-induced goosebumps have a denser volume of fibers connecting their auditory cortex to emotional processing areas. This increased neural connectivity allows for a stronger emotional response to music, potentially indicating enhanced emotional processing overall.

Key findings about music-induced goosebumps:

• Only a portion of the population experiences this phenomenon
• It's linked to denser neural connections between hearing and emotion centers
• The sensation includes physical responses like changed breathing and heart rate
• Some people are physically unable to experience pleasure from music
• The trait may indicate stronger emotional processing in general

This research has potential therapeutic applications, particularly for treating depression. Since music can trigger intense pleasure responses in some people, it could be used as a tool in therapy to explore and process emotions.

While the exact percentage of people who experience music-induced goosebumps remains unknown, initial studies suggest it's a significant subset of the population. The research continues at USC's Brain and Creativity Institute, where scientists are working to better understand this fascinating neurological phenomenon.

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