TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A new study reveals how DNA causes someone to experience goosebumps when enjoying music or art. According to the study, reactions to art can vary between individuals depending on their DNA.
A research team led by Giacomo Bignardi from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics analyzed genetic and survey data from thousands of respondents through the LifeLines project in the northern Netherlands. These findings confirm that goosebumps are not simply a matter of personal preference, but rather a human trait shaped by biological influences.
Bignardi explained that while genetics plays a role in this context, it is not the absolute determinant. He emphasized that other influences on these reactions stem from training, memories, and the individual's social context.
"These findings suggest that genetics may offer an additional way to better understand why people can sometimes subjectively experience the same sensory world in very different ways," Bignardi said in his study, as quoted by Earth on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The study, also published in the journal PLOS Genetics, explains that people with similar genetics have a similar tendency to experience aesthetic sensations. Furthermore, there is also an emotional influence on the nervous system when responding to artwork.
The researchers experimented with musical pieces believed to increase dopamine, a chemical in the brain. When this process occurs, auditory signals carried to the brain increase sharply and reach a peak moment. This then triggers a goosebumps reaction in some people.
However, the researchers noted limitations to their study's conclusions. This research is still limited to a sample that is not yet comprehensive globally, and it is possible that other causes exist, besides DNA and increased dopamine.
Read: DNA Study Reveals New Human Lineage from 7,000-Year-Old Mummies in the Green Sahara
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