Page 14 - July 2021

Frisson is a French term, meaning “aesthetic chills”. Have you ever been immersed in your favourite music, and felt a distinct sensation along your spine? Have you ever gotten goosebumps from a particular tune? If so, you have experienced frisson.
Frisson can be felt when experiencing something particularly
pleasing to
the tastes
music, art,
food, a scent,
physical contact
with a lover.
Researchers
have loosely
coined the term
“skin orgasm”
to describe
the sensation.
Reddit has a
subreddit for
those who
frequently
experience the
sensation. Music is the most common form of frisson, however senses being triggered in any form can set off the effect.
is an “openness to stimuli”. This means that those who generally are more open minded, culturally rounded, appreciative, and life experience seeking experience frisson at a higher rate. These study participants reported themselves to be more emotional, with a secondary aspect of intellectual thirst for new art and positive experiences. Loosely, this means those who are more in tune with their emotions, feel the music more emotionally.
Music fans who are “hardcore” fans experience frison more often than casual listeners, as well. This may be because those who frequently listen to music tend to make mental observations and expectations about the music they are listening to, and are more apt to be delightfully surprised by positive change in the music as a faster tempo, thrilling moment such as
a solo, or release of tension during a musical break. These are often anticipated musical events, and the effect of them is often, you guessed it, frisson.
I happen to be one of the lucky folks who is viscerally affected by music. I have been known to
weep at concerts, get goosebumps, and generally fall apart in the most blissful of ways. I vividly remember being so prooundly touched by a chior once, I felt as though my heart may burst. You may have experienced frisson during an event like a national anthem, yur wedding song, a bagpipe tune during a parade. Many of us have a hard time not feeling the music, with up to 86% of us experiencing frisson. Next time you feel literally tickled by the music, now you know the term for it.
Enjoy the music, folks. Melissa C.
Studies have shown that up to two thirds, or 86%
in other studies, of the population experience frisson from stimuli that is pleasing or positive. However, what has not yet become clear is why. Some scientists have theorized that goosebumps hearkens back to the day where temperature changes had our body hair responding, and because we no longer have that need, our bodies have changed the “input” for frisson to positive emotional response due to art, music, or even a beautiful sunset. Other studies have shown that the most reliable indicator of experiencing frisson14
Frisson
Melissa Camus
Talent Promotions.