Music is a drug that exceeds the highest boundaries. Strolling through campus or passing a group heading to class, chances are you’ll witness a student with a pair of headphones in — getting their daily fix of it — and there’s good reason for that surge of dopamine.

Whether people are surviving through the play button or just casual listeners, rocking out to the beat in any regards has proven health benefits.

Music Makes You Happy:

Though “happy” may be a loaded term, music has been shown to drastically improve the moods of those listening to it. But hitting shuffle on Spotify or Apple Music and hoping for the right song that hits you in the feels is not the best remedy to your blues. This is because studies had shown that any random song will not do the trick when you’re feeling down.

On the contrary, some forms of music, especially genres that stray from the listener’s norm, have been shown to actually increase anxiety (i.e listening to death metal when a fan of classic rock). Listening to music you enjoy can trigger the release of dopamine in the brain necessary to elevate your mood.

Music Can Help Through The Bad Times, Too:

It’s okay to not be okay. Everyone has those days, and sometimes instead of trying to act like a happy camper, there is the need to take out a tub of ice cream and just wallow. Nothing can help you through that time better than music.

Whether it’s a tear-jerking song with lyrics of heartache and despair or just some sad chords, listening to melancholy songs help release some of the emotions pent up — or maybe to help better understand them. There’s an indescribable feeling of finding a song with lyrics that fit how you’re feeling to a tee, and on some of our darkest days, there’s no better feeling than that of not being alone.

Life’s Natural Motivator:

Think about every “Rocky” training montage throughout the series. The horns, the dramatic build up, all leading to the climactic end scene where the boxer comes out of his training and ready to take on the world. Just because we all aren’t running up the sides of mountains, doesn’t mean we can’t take something from the Italian stallion’s training. There is a reason why you can not step foot into most gyms without hearing the sound of blaring music, or why athletes can often be seen warming up pregame with their headphones secured.

In a 2009 study done by Brunel University’s School of Sport and Education, music was shown to push people past their limits, or at least amplify endurance during intense training or working out. The main explanation behind this is the notion of distraction. The chorus of “Eye of the Tiger” might deter you from the fact that you just did an extra four reps on the bench, or just beat your personal best mile time. Again, just because you aren’t taking on Ivan Drago does not mean a good old pump up song can’t help you reach new heights.

Whether you’re trying to get that extra mile in or just trying to get through a tough day, music is a therapy unlike any other. When life is giving you the blues, perhaps your best bet is to press play on some of blues yourself.