Sunday, February 20, 2011

The Rush of Endorphins


Endorphins are a "morphine-like substance originating from within the body" to produce a feeling of exhilaration and well being. Scientists have tried to identify what may cause this natural rush. Pain, a runner's high, spicy food, love making, and music are some sources.

Neurological research company Mindlab International is in the field of neuromarketing and analyzes human responses to sensory stimuli. They measured the bodily responses of listeners to find the music which causes the greatest rush of endorphins.

Out of 30 songs Take That’s ‘Greatest Day’ came out on top, followed by ‘Stairway To Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin and Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’.

The lyrics of Greatest Day begins:

Today this could be the greatest day of our lives
Before it all ends, before we run out of time
Stay close to me, stay close to me
Watch the world come alive tonight, stay close to me.

Their music video is here.

It's interesting to think about what music gets the endorphins rushing within us. It may depend upon our mood at the time. One of mine is this song from some years back. It usually brings on a tear or two too.

Image: