New research from Aarhus University in Denmark shows that people recovering from long-term substance use experience a shifted musical “groove.” In recovery, the urge to move to music grows strongest with more intricate rhythms and harmonies. The findings offer important clues for treating addiction and suggest new directions for music-based rehabilitation in Thailand.
For Thai readers, music is woven into daily life, festivals, and wellness routines. This study links brain health directly to how we physically engage with song, explaining why some individuals in recovery may not react the same way to familiar tunes. It raises both treatment challenges and opportunities for more effective therapies.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, included 58 male participants from Italian residential rehabilitation centers. They were divided into three groups: cocaine addiction, heroin-plus-cocaine use, and a control group with no long-term drug use. All participants were in controlled settings where illicit substances were not permitted, ensuring a stable baseline for comparison.
Participants listened to music varying in rhythmic and harmonic complexity and rated their urge to move after each piece. Healthy nonusers typically feel the strongest groove at an optimal level of complexity—neither too simple nor too chaotic. In contrast, those in recovery from substance use showed the strongest groove with the most complex music. Simpler rhythms elicited little movement, while highly complex arrangements—often challenging even for trained musicians—hit their groove sweet spot for them.
Researchers attribute this shift to how long-term substance use alters the brain’s dopamine system. Dopamine is central to pleasure and reward. Prolonged drug use dulls receptor sensitivity, making ordinary experiences less satisfying. As a result, more intense or complex stimuli are needed to trigger pleasure and movement. This aligns with broader theories about sensation seeking and altered reward processing in addiction.
An Aarhus University expert summarized the finding: after long-term drug use, people may require more complex or intense experiences to feel motivated to move or experience pleasure. Music remains powerful, but the bar is higher.
These insights have implications for addiction therapies in Thailand. Music therapy has been a staple in many Thai rehabilitation programs, especially in the North and Northeast. The study suggests practitioners might gradually introduce more harmonically and rhythmically complex music as patients advance in recovery, rather than sticking to simple tunes. A director of a Bangkok rehabilitation program noted that some individuals respond energetically to intricate classical pieces or contemporary fusion, and this research helps explain why.
Beyond therapy, the findings prompt broader discussion about using cultural activities to support recovery. In Thailand, music accompanies mindfulness practices, community rituals, and healing arts. If more complex music boosts engagement for some patients, programs could offer a range of musical experiences—from traditional Thai melodies to fusion genres—carefully tailored to individual needs. Community events with interactive dance and percussion could foster social connection, a key factor in long-term recovery.
Thai culture has long celebrated music and movement, from luk thung and mor lam in Isaan to refined court dances. Yet, traditional forms often emphasize repetition and widely accessible melodies. For individuals in recovery, these formats may not provide the same motivational impact. Thailand’s openness to musical innovation—seen in vibrant contemporary scenes in Chiang Mai and Bangkok—could support the shift toward more engaging musical experiences in therapy and daily life.
Globally, researchers are hopeful that groove-based interventions could track and recalibrate reward sensitivity in people with a history of drug use. Tailoring musical complexity may help gradually lower the reward threshold, restoring pleasure in everyday activities without drugs. For Thai therapists and policymakers, these findings support collaborations between neuroscientists, traditional musicians, and public health officials to refine addiction management.
Future directions in Thailand include integrating music technology into clinics, offering playlists that progressively increase rhythmic and harmonic complexity. There is a call for more local research to map how groove preferences evolve during rehabilitation and to assess which Thai genres or international styles are most effective. Caution is advised: excessive stimulation can backfire for some individuals, underscoring the need for personalized care.
The takeaway for Thai readers is clear: music remains a powerful source of movement, pleasure, and social connection, but the brain’s response to rhythm can change with addiction. For those in recovery, exploring more adventurous or elaborate music could be both fulfilling and therapeutic. Families and caregivers might encourage participation in group drumming or inclusive dance activities, gradually increasing complexity to observe what resonates best.
For a deeper dive into the science, refer to the original study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and related coverage from medical research outlets. In Thailand, clinical perspectives and updates on implementation can be followed through rehabilitation centers and public health agencies.