02/05/2026
😃 Ever wonder why you feel 'high' after a drum circle?
We’ve all felt it—that shift that happens about 10 minutes into a drum circle. The stress of the day melts off, the chatter in your mind quiets down, and you leave feeling lighter than when you arrived.
As facilitators, we see this transformation in our participants every time. But have you ever wondered what is actually happening under the hood?
It turns out, we aren’t just making music; we are mixing a powerful neurochemical 'cocktail'.
According to recent neuroscience research, active group drumming triggers the release of four specific chemicals that regulate our mood and stress levels:
Dopamine: The pleasure and motivation molecule.
Serotonin: The mood stabilizer that helps us feel content.
Oxytocin: The 'bonding hormone' that fosters trust and connection.
Endorphins: The body's natural painkiller that gives us that 'runner's high.'
I created the attached infographic to visualize exactly how this works. Please feel free to save it, share it with your drummers, or use it to explain the benefits of your next event!"
The best part? You don't get this just by listening. You have to play to get the full dose.
Who is your favorite person to share this 'cocktail' with? Tag your drum buddy below! 👇
Source: Tarr, B., Launay, J., & Dunbar, R. I. M. (2014). Music and social bonding: the trigger and tidings of neurohormones. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1096.
