Have you ever heard a song from your past and suddenly felt like you were back in that moment—at a school dance, on a road trip, or just hanging out with friends?
It turns out, you’re not just remembering—you’re also activating important parts of your brain.
A new study led by Assal Habibi at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute has shown that nostalgic music can light up brain areas linked to memory, emotion, and reward.
The study was published in the journal Human Brain Mapping and offers real hope for using music to help people with Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss reconnect with their past.
“Nostalgic songs don’t just bring back memories,” said Habibi, a professor of psychology and neurology.
“They stimulate the brain in ways that may improve emotional well-being and mental function, especially in people with memory problems.”
The researchers used fMRI (functional MRI) scans to watch brain activity while participants listened to songs tied to meaningful life moments. They found that familiar, emotionally powerful songs activated the default mode network—a brain system involved in self-reflection and memory—and the brain’s reward system, which helps us feel pleasure and motivation.
This strong brain response helps explain why music can bring back such vivid memories, and why people with memory issues often respond well to songs from their past—even when they struggle to remember other things.
The study shows that music, especially songs with personal meaning, can be a powerful, non-drug way to improve the lives of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Just creating a playlist of meaningful songs might help people reconnect with themselves and their loved ones.
The research team included lead author Sarah Hennessy, now at the University of Arizona, along with Jonas Kaplan and Talia Ginsberg from USC, and Petr Janata from the University of California, Davis.
This study highlights something many of us already feel: that music is more than just sound—it’s a key to our memories and emotions. And now, science is showing that it may also be a helpful tool in caring for those who need it most.
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