Dopamine modulates reward experiences elicited by music

A new study reveals a causal link between dopamine and human reward response to music listening. Researchers pharmacologically manipulated dopaminergic transmission of 27 participants while listening to music and showed causal link between dopamine and pleasure. While levodopa increased hedonic experience and motivation, risperidone led to a reduction of both. These results shed light on neurobiology and neurochemistry underpinning reward responses, contributing to an open debate on human pleasures.