Genes partly explain why some people get chills from music, art and literature
Feb 22nd 2026
A Dutch Lifelines study of more than 15,500 people found that family factors and common genetic variants help explain who experiences 'aesthetic chills' such as goosebumps or shivers from art, music and poetry.
- The study used multi-generational Lifelines data from the northern Netherlands with genetic information on over 15,500 participants.
- About 30% of variation in proneness to aesthetic chills is linked to family-related factors.
- Approximately one quarter of that familial influence is attributable to common genetic variants, showing a measurable genetic contribution.
- Some genetic effects are shared across music, poetry and visual art and relate to openness and artistic engagement, while other effects are domain specific.
- Researchers say further work is needed to clarify how genetic predispositions interact with environmental exposure to shape emotional responses to art.