When I got my new tube-based headphone amp/preamp, I got chills when listening to certain music. Apparently, this is phenomena called “frisson.”

Frisson happens when multiple parts of your brain activate at once, especially the areas responsible for processing sound and those tied to emotion and reward. Research shows that people who experience frisson more often tend to have stronger connections between these regions, allowing them to respond more intensely to music. Your body follows that signal as your nervous system activates, your skin reacts, and your heart rate can shift slightly, creating a response that feels immediate and physical while still being rooted in emotion.

→ What Is Frisson? The Science Behind Why Music Gives You Chills