A Melbourne University researcher is seeking volunteers who enjoy electronic dance music (EDM) so she can study their brains.

Neuroscience PhD candidate Kiralee Musgrove said her study would look at how EDM listeners go from simply hearing sound to "feeling" the music.

"We're especially interested in craving and pleasure," she told 774 ABC Melbourne's Libbi Gorr.

"We're looking for people to help us understand why and how certain people crave what we call 'the drop' when they're listening to electronic music."

Craving the drop

The drop is a convention in EDM where the music resolves after a tension-inducing "build-up".

"It's a very predictable formula," Ms Musgrove said.

"We have the build-up — which is where the DJ is adding on layers of instruments, the rhythms are compounded, the volume is going up and everybody feels like they are being lifted up.

"People are craving what happens next — which is when the DJ quite literally drops the bass, the bass drums, and the regular rhythm and melody back into the song."

Music could help craving disorders

Ms Musgrove said understanding why EDM listeners craved the drop could help scientists design therapies for people with craving disorders.

"We know that people often use music as a tool to regulate their emotions," she said.

"We intuitively know that music makes us feel better."

She said the research could help specialists design "personalised music therapy" for people with eating disorders, substance abuse disorders or self-harm issues.

"We might be able to use music to help alleviate acute levels of craving and distress," she said.

The university is seeking Melbourne-based volunteers aged 18 to 40 who enjoy EDM and do not have any hearing difficulties.