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Need a quick endorphins boost? Take That

Matilda Battersby
Friday 18 February 2011 17:23 GMT
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If you’re feeling at a low ebb this afternoon then a quick blast of Take That might be just the thing to sort you out according to new scientific research.

Neurological research company Mindlab International measured the bodily responses of listeners to find the music which causes the greatest rush of endorphins.

Out of 30 songs Take That’s ‘Greatest Day’ came top, followed somewhat bafflingly by the wonderful, but admittedly depressing, ‘Stairway To Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin and Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’.

Participants were also asked to rate songs based on personal preference. Men ranked Take That a paltry 29th out of 30- showing the stark differences between bodily response and subjective opinion.

“The differences between men’s subjective and physical responses clearly show that preconceptions about music tracks do not always relate to their enjoyment," Dr David Lewis Hodgson of Mindlab, said of the research, which was commissioned by juice brand Tropicana.

“Music affects people emotionally, intellectually and at a deep psychological level, as result of biochemical systems in the body that originally evolved to make us emotionally responsive to the cries of our infants."

Of all the genres, rock was rated the cheeriest (again, really?), followed by dance, easy listening and classical.

To listen to the 30 tracks in the order in which they were found to boost our moods click here or on the image above.

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