Experiencing aesthetic chills can positively influence self-related beliefs in people with depression, similar to the effects of psychedelics, suggesting potential as a non-pharmacological intervention.
Highlights:
- Novel Approach: Aesthetic chills, characterized by physical sensations like shivers and goosebumps, may help shift negative cognitive patterns in depression.
- Study Results: 96 patients with major depressive disorder showed positive changes in self-acceptance and reduced shame after experiencing chills from specific multimedia stimuli.
- Comparable to Psychedelics: The emotional and cognitive effects of chills are similar to those induced by psychedelic experiences, impacting core beliefs and emotional breakthroughs.
- Future Potential: These findings suggest that aesthetic chills could be harnessed as a safe, non-drug-based treatment for depression, pending further research.
Source: BMC Psychiatry (2024)
Major Findings: Aesthetic Chills (Goosebumps) to Reduce Depression (2024)
A study investigated the impact of aesthetic chills—peak emotional responses often accompanied by physical sensations like shivers and goosebumps—on individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Using a validated multimedia database known to elicit chills, researchers aimed to determine whether these stimuli could positively influence the core beliefs and emotional states of depressed patients.
1. Positive Influence on Self-Related Beliefs
Core Belief Changes
The study found that chill-inducing stimuli significantly impacted the self-related beliefs of individuals with depression.
Participants who experienced chills reported increased self-acceptance and reduced feelings of shame.
This is crucial because self-acceptance and reduced shame are vital for improving mental health and combating negative self-perceptions.
Young Positive Schema Questionnaire (YSPQ)
The YSPQ, used to measure changes in self-schema, showed that participants who experienced chills had notable improvements in the self-acceptance schema.
This suggests that aesthetic chills can effectively modify deep-seated negative beliefs about oneself.
2. Emotional Breakthroughs
Emotional Breakthrough Inventory (EBI)
Participants who experienced chills reported higher scores on the EBI, indicating significant emotional breakthroughs.
These breakthroughs are characterized by the ability to confront and process challenging emotions and memories, leading to a sense of resolution and emotional release.
Comparison to Psychedelics
The emotional breakthroughs observed in the study are similar to those seen in patients undergoing psychedelic-assisted therapy.
This suggests that aesthetic chills can mimic some therapeutic effects of psychedelics, offering a non-drug alternative for inducing profound emotional and cognitive shifts.
3. Enhanced Emotional States
Valence & Arousal Ratings
Participants who experienced chills reported significant increases in emotional valence (pleasantness) and arousal (excitement) after exposure to the stimuli.
This indicates that chills can elevate mood and increase emotional engagement, which are often diminished in depression.
Statistical Significance
The differences in emotional valence and arousal between those who experienced chills and those who did not were statistically significant.
This underscores the robust impact of chills on enhancing emotional states in depressed individuals.
4. Potential Mechanisms
Dopaminergic Response
The study suggests that the positive effects of chills may be linked to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.
This dopaminergic response can disrupt negative thought patterns and facilitate positive emotional relearning, crucial for therapeutic progress in depression.
Neuroplasticity
Aesthetic chills may temporarily enhance synaptic plasticity, allowing for more flexible cognitive and emotional responses.
This is similar to the way psychedelics work, promoting the restructuring of maladaptive beliefs and behaviors.
Potential Ways to Induce Aesthetic Chills (Frisson) for Antidepressant Effects
Aesthetic chills, also known as “frisson,” are characterized by physical sensations such as shivers and goosebumps, often accompanied by strong emotional reactions.
These chills can be induced through various types of sensory experiences that engage and move individuals emotionally.
1. Music
Powerful Performances: Live performances or recordings of emotionally charged music, especially pieces with dynamic shifts, crescendos, and moving lyrics, are known to elicit chills.
Classical Compositions: Works by composers like Beethoven, Bach, or Tchaikovsky often induce chills due to their intricate arrangements and emotive power.
Popular Music: Songs with profound emotional content or personal significance can also trigger chills.
2. Film & Visual Media
Inspirational Scenes: Movie scenes that depict powerful moments of triumph, sacrifice, or profound emotion can evoke chills.
Documentaries: Real-life stories that highlight human resilience, bravery, or deep emotional experiences can also be effective.
3. Speeches & Spoken Word
Motivational Speeches: Inspirational talks by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or contemporary motivational speakers can induce chills through their compelling delivery and emotional content.
Poetry Readings: Poems that resonate deeply with personal or universal themes often elicit strong emotional reactions.
4. Secular & Religious Rituals
Ceremonies: Significant cultural or religious ceremonies, such as weddings, funerals, or spiritual gatherings, can evoke profound emotional responses and chills.
Ritualistic Music and Chants: Traditional chants and ritualistic music often have the power to induce chills through their repetitive and immersive nature.
How Aesthetic Chills May Treat Depression (Possible Mechanisms)
Activation of Reward Pathways
Dopamine Release: Aesthetic chills are linked to the release of dopamine in the brain’s reward pathways, particularly in areas like the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This release can enhance mood and create feelings of pleasure, counteracting the anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) commonly experienced in depression.
Positive Reinforcement: The rewarding sensation associated with chills can reinforce positive experiences and encourage individuals to seek out more activities that induce similar feelings, promoting engagement and reducing withdrawal behaviors.
Emotional Breakthroughs
Emotional Release: Chills often accompany powerful emotional experiences that allow individuals to process and release pent-up emotions. This emotional catharsis can lead to a sense of relief and emotional breakthrough, similar to the therapeutic effects observed in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Enhanced Insight: The profound emotional experiences that trigger chills can help individuals gain new insights into their emotions and thought patterns, facilitating cognitive restructuring and the modification of negative beliefs.
Neuroplasticity Enhancement
Increased Synaptic Plasticity: Experiencing chills may temporarily enhance synaptic plasticity, making the brain more receptive to new learning and cognitive changes. This increased plasticity can help individuals adopt more adaptive thinking patterns and behaviors.
Learning and Memory: Positive emotional experiences associated with chills can improve learning and memory processes, helping individuals form new, healthier cognitive associations.
Reduction of Negative Rumination
Interrupting Negative Thought Cycles: The intense emotional and physical response of chills can disrupt cycles of negative rumination by shifting focus and providing a momentary break from persistent negative thoughts.
Promoting Positive Focus: Chills-inducing stimuli often involve positive, uplifting content that can help individuals redirect their attention from negative thoughts to more positive and hopeful ones.
Enhancing Social Connection
Shared Emotional Experiences: Engaging in activities that induce chills, such as attending concerts or watching emotionally powerful films with others, can enhance feelings of social connection and belonging, which are crucial for mental health.
Empathy and Compassion: The emotional responses that trigger chills can also foster empathy and compassion, helping individuals feel more connected to others and less isolated.
Trial Details: Aesthetic Chills Induction on Depressive Cognition (2024)
The study aimed to investigate whether inducing aesthetic chills through multimedia stimuli could positively influence the core beliefs and emotional states of individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Sample
- Participants: 96 individuals diagnosed with MDD
- Demographics: 52 females, mean age of 37 years (SD = 14)
- Treatment Status: 90.7% undergoing therapy, 97.7% on medication (mostly SSRIs)
Methods
Stimuli
- Source: ChillsDB, a validated database of multimedia known to elicit chills.
- Content: Two stimuli were used—a Thai TV commercial and a motivational video medley.
Assessment Tools
- Emotional Breakthrough Inventory (EBI): Measured emotional breakthroughs.
- Young Positive Schema Questionnaire (YSPQ): Assessed changes in self-related schemas.
- Emotional and Physiological Responses: Self-reported experiences of chills, including intensity, frequency, and emotional impact.
Data
- Participants completed pre- and post-exposure assessments of their emotional states and self-schema.
- Qualitative and quantitative data were collected to gauge the depth and nature of their emotional responses.
Limitations
- Sample Size: Limited to 96 participants, which may not be representative of the general population.
- Self-Report Measures: Reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias.
- Lack of Clinical Assessment at Intervention Time: The study did not include formal diagnostic interviews by clinicians during the intervention.
- Homogeneity: Majority of participants were already undergoing therapy and medication, which may have influenced the results.
- Short-Term Assessment: The study focused on immediate effects without long-term follow-up to assess lasting impacts.
Conclusion: Aesthetic Chills for Major Depression
This study presents promising preliminary evidence that aesthetic chills, induced through emotionally charged multimedia stimuli, can positively influence the core beliefs and emotional states of individuals with major depressive disorder.
Participants who experienced chills reported significant improvements in self-acceptance and emotional breakthroughs, comparable to effects observed in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
These findings suggest that aesthetic chills could serve as a novel, non-pharmacological intervention for depression, leveraging the brain’s reward pathways and neuroplasticity to disrupt negative thought patterns.
However, the study’s limitations, including its small sample size, reliance on self-reported data, and short-term assessment, highlight the need for further research.
Future studies should include larger, more diverse samples, incorporate clinical assessments, and explore the long-term impacts and mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of aesthetic chills.
If validated, this approach could offer an accessible and innovative strategy to enhance mental health treatment and improve outcomes for individuals with depression.
References
- Study: Aesthetic chills mitigate maladaptive cognition in depression (2024)
- Authors: Felix Schoeller et al.
