Individuals recovering from long-term addiction to substances like cocaine or heroin are finding themselves moving to a different musical beat—quite literally. New research led by Aarhus University in Denmark reveals that the pleasure and urge to move to music, a phenomenon scientists call “groove,” undergoes a distinct shift among those with a history of substance use disorder, demanding more complex rhythms and harmonies to spur engagement. These findings offer significant insights not just for understanding addiction’s effect on the brain, but also for reshaping therapies and interventions, including in Thailand’s own music-based rehabilitation programmes.
For Thai readers, whose appreciation for music is deeply intertwined with daily life, festivals, and wellness practices, the study underscores an important link between neurological health and how we physically respond to song and rhythm. It highlights why some individuals in recovery might not find the same satisfaction from familiar melodies—shedding light on both treatment challenges and new opportunities.
The Aarhus University-led study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, enlisted 58 male participants from Italian residential rehabilitation centres, rigorously divided into three groups: those recovering from cocaine addiction, from both heroin and cocaine, and a control group with no history of habitual drug use. All participants had been in centres where illicit drug use was strictly barred, providing a stable baseline for comparing responses.
The heart of the research involved playing snippets of music with varying degrees of rhythmic and harmonic complexity. Participants rated their compulsion to move—the so-called “groove”—after each track. Healthy nonusers exhibited the classic pattern: they felt most compelled to move when rhythms struck an ideal mid-point of complexity—neither monotonous nor chaotic—echoing previous findings that pleasure peaks with “just right” beats. However, in both addiction recovery groups, the urge to move was strongest during the most complex pieces. Simpler rhythms, which usually inspire toe-tapping or dance, left them largely unmoved, while high-complexity arrangements—often challenging even to trained musicians—became their groove sweet spot.
This striking shift, researchers argue, is rooted in the effects of long-term substance use on the brain’s dopamine system—a critical neural pathway for experiencing pleasure and reward. Addiction diminishes the sensitivity of dopamine receptors, causing everyday non-drug experiences, such as listening to music, to yield less satisfying feelings than before. As a result, only more intense or complex sensory stimuli, like intricate music, can cut through the raised neurological “reward threshold.” This phenomenon not only echoes patterns observed in sicknesses that affect dopamine signalling, such as Parkinson’s disease, but also aligns with well-established theories about sensation seeking and stimulus needs in addiction science.
An expert from Aarhus University quoted in the study’s summary notes: “These results support the idea that after long-term drug use, people need more complex or intense experiences just to feel motivated to move or to feel pleasure. Music’s power to move us is still there, but the bar is set much higher.”
This research advances a new lens through which to view music’s role in therapies for addiction. For Thailand, where traditional music and dance form part of cultural identity and rehabilitation initiatives, the implications are especially relevant. Many Thai drug rehabilitation centres, particularly in the North and Northeast, have incorporated music therapy for decades. This study encourages practitioners to reconsider musical selections, possibly shifting from simple folk tunes to more harmonically and rhythmically complex songs as participants progress in recovery. A local director of a rehabilitation programme commented in a recent workshop, “We see some individuals respond with real energy to more intricate classical pieces or lively contemporary fusion. This research helps to explain why.”
It also opens broader discussion about adapting recreational and cultural activities to support recovery. In Thailand, music is not only entertainment—it’s used in mindfulness meditation, community rituals, and even as accompaniment to healing arts. If certain populations require more complexity to feel the same satisfaction, then therapeutic musical offerings might need updating. There is also the opportunity to design new community events with interactive dance and percussion performances, fostering both engagement and social connection, which are crucial to successful long-term recovery.
Looking back, music and movement have been intertwined within Thai society for centuries, from the rhythmic pulsing of luk thung and mor lam in the Isaan region to the elaborate patterns of court dances. Yet, traditional idioms often prioritise repetitive structures and accessible melodies. For those in recovery from substance addiction, these formats may no longer pack the same motivational punch. At the same time, the Thai penchant for musical innovation—seen in blended contemporary genres popular among youth in Chiang Mai and Bangkok—aligns well with the call for more engaging, complex musical experiences.
Globally, researchers are optimistic that groove-based interventions could serve as noninvasive tools to track and even recalibrate altered reward sensitivity in those with a history of drug use. The hope is that tailoring musical complexity might help gradually lower the reward threshold again, restoring pleasure in everyday activities and strengthening the efficacy of non-drug rewards. For Thai therapists and policymakers, the novel findings could inform updates to addiction management policies and influence collaborations between neuroscientists, traditional musicians, and public health officials.
Moving forward, advocates for recovery in Thailand might consider wider integration of music technology in clinics, offering patients curated playlists that build in rhythmic and harmonic complexity a step at a time. There are calls for deeper research in the Thai context: mapping how groove preference evolves over the course of rehabilitation, and whether local genres or international influences better support progress. Experts also urge caution: while complexity can boost motivation for some, overstimulation may be counterproductive for others—underscoring the importance of individualised care.
In conclusion, the lesson for Thai readers—whether professionals, family members, or those on their own recovery journey—is that music remains a powerful source of movement, pleasure, and connection, but our brains need the right stimulus to feel its benefits. For those affected by addiction, seeking out more adventurous or elaborate music could be both fulfilling and therapeutic. Family and caregivers might encourage participation in group drumming projects or active dance classes that up the musical complexity bit by bit, observing which styles spark the most engagement.
To learn more about the science behind these findings, readers can refer to the original research covered in Medical Xpress and the source study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. For clinical perspectives or future updates on how these findings are being implemented in Thai health settings, follow communications from rehabilitation centres and public health agencies.