A good beat literally takes over your brain, new research shows

Forget the theremin or oboe: The human brain is the most sophisticated musical instrument in the world, with the ability to physically sync its natural oscillations with rhythms, melodies, and harmonies, according to a new study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience.

A dance, dance revolution

The study is the first to entirely focus on an idea called Neural Resonance Theory (NRT), which proposes that humans’ sense of timing, rhythm, and pleasure when it comes to music is due to our brain’s ability to synchronize its patterns with various genres, from reggae to R&B to rhapsodies.

• As the brainwaves sync to music, it creates an emotional response in each person and an instinctive drive to move to the beat, regardless of their musical background.

Put simply: Human brainwaves can physically sync to the music we listen to, causing us to feel some type of way and driving our body to groove along with the beat.

The study’s authors believe NRT research carries several major future applications, including therapeutic tools for conditions like strokes and Parkinson’s, new learning technologies to support rhythm and pitch education, and emotionally intelligent AI with greater music capabilities.

Not just a human thing? New research indicates chimpanzees and sea lions also have the ability to hold a beat.