We all know drummers have a unique view of the world, sitting on their thrones behind their cages of wood, steel, and noise. According to some recent scientific research, drummers have pretty unique brains as well.

Researchers in Stockholm, for example, found that people who are good at keeping a beat score higher on intelligence tests. University of Oxford researchers, meanwhile, found that drummers that play together are happier and have a higher pain tolerance.

And when drummers get a little off the beat? That’s not such a bad thing either. According to Harvard researchers, they’re just tapping into the natural rhythms of their own neurons.

Of course, none of this is news to anyone who’s seen Stealing Genius’ own Frank Ebbert play, but it’s nice to know that science confirms what we’ve suspected all along.