Many things boost our brain's reward centers, including coordinated movements. Just think of the excitement some get from watching choreographed fighting or car chase scenes in action movies. What about the fun that spectators get when watching sports or driving in a fast car? Scientists don't know exactly why we love exercise so much, but there's a lot of anecdotal evidence that we're making a pretty big kick out of it. Perhaps that syncing music, many of which studies have shown, is pleasing to both the ear and brain, and movement, essentially dance, can be a fun doubles. 

Orbitofrontal cortex

Music is known to stimulate pleasure and reward areas such as the orbitofrontal cortex, which is located directly behind the eyes, as well as a region in the middle brain called the ventral striatum. In particular, the amount of activation in these areas corresponds to how much we enjoy the tunes. In addition, music activates the cerebellum, at the base of the brain, which is involved in the coordination and timing of movement. 

Why do we like dancing?

  • First, people speculate that music was created by rhythmic movement, think: tap your foot. 
  • Secondly, some reward-related areas in the brain are connected to motor areas. 
  • Thirdly, the increasing evidence suggests that we are sensitive and in tune with the movements of the bodies of others, because similar areas of the brain are activated when certain movements are made and observed. For example, the motor regions of professional dancers brain show more activation when they watch other dancers compared to people who don't dance. 

Music and Dance

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