For decades, scientists have been studying the effects of music on the brain. It isn’t a surprise that listening live to a favorite band can wash your daily stresses away — but now science has proved it.

A study published in the journal Public Health found that attending a live concert can reduce levels of cortisone and cortisol, which are stress hormones. While other studies have looked at music and stress, this study looked specifically at the effects of live music on the brain.

Researchers in the United Kingdom took saliva samples from 117 volunteers who attended concerts showcasing the composer Eric Whitacre’s [Wit-ah-kers] music. Of the volunteers selected, some were avid concertgoers, others were attending a live music event for the first time in six months. Some of the participants were also musicians with years of experience, while others were not musicians. Saliva samples were taken over the course of two concerts: before the performance, 60 minutes into the concert and during the interval between concerts.

Results showed that all participants exhibited a reduction in stress hormones. The findings were significant across age groups, concert experiences and musical ability, suggesting a universal response to concert attendance among audience members.

The research team hopes to dive deeper into the subject and explore different music genres, such as heavy metal. Previous studies have also found that music can be effective in treating epilepsy. The latest findings might just have people changing their tune about the role of music in soothing the stresses of daily life.