1. The Paradox of "Pleasurable Sadness" We try to avoid sadness, but we actively seek it when listening to music or watching movies or reading books! Psychologists refer to this phenomenon either as the "pleasure of sadness" or "benign masochism." Sadness is registered by our brains as "non-threatening." When sadness is presented in some sort of artistic manner, it becomes paradoxically pleasurable.
Frontiers
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2. We Are "Moved" - And That Feels Good Many songs that evoke sadness also have the characteristic of "moving the listener." Research has found this "felt experience" of being "moved" fully mediates the relationship between sadness as an emotion and enjoyment—this means that sadness heightens both beauty and emotional resonance.
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3. Triggers of Comfort - Biology and Hormones Sad music can elicit the release of prolactin and oxytocin—two hormones linked to feelings of empathy, social comfort, or emotional relief—as if we were crying, and allowing for some sweet relief.
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