Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that “aesthetic frisson,” or frisson, helps fight depression. The results of the study were presented in the journal BMC Psychiatry.
Frisson is a tremor in the body caused by strong emotional arousal. This often occurs when a person listens to a favorite melody or looks at a work of art. The authors suggested that this emotion could be a new method of treating depression.
The study involved 96 people diagnosed with major depressive disorder who exposed them to various chill-inducing stimuli. At the end of the experiment, participants were surveyed to assess symptoms of the disorder. The authors found significant positive changes in emotional state.
“Frisson may be a non-drug approach to addressing core maladaptive beliefs associated with depression. But more studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results and fully understand the underlying mechanisms.” The authors noted.
Previous scientists Establishedfound that slight increases in depressive symptoms affected weight.