A new study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) offers groundbreaking insights into how our brains perceive time.
By closely observing rats’ brain wave activity as they continuously repeated tasks for an hour, the researchers have concluded that our perception of time is more tied to the experiences people have rather than the mere passage of time. These findings were published in Current Biology, a peer-reviewed journal.
The study led by James Hyman, a UNLV psychology professor, monitored changes in the rats’ anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) — a part of the brain responsible for tracking experiences. The researchers found that the rats’ neuronal patterns followed a similar path regardless of speed, suggesting that it is the experiences themselves, instead of increments of time, that drive changes in neuronal patterns.
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The practical applications of these findings are significant. In an email to Gizmodo, Hyman elaborated on how understanding our brain’s perception of time can help us cope with unpleasant experiences or make the most of enjoyable moments. Conversely, Hyman suggested slowing down to extend enjoyable moments.
This study provides a scientific basis for the age-old proverb, “time flies when you’re having fun.” However, Hyman’s research suggests that it is the busyness or multitude of experiences—not necessarily fun—that accelerates our perception of time. This insight opens up new possibilities for managing how we experience time in our daily lives.