Podcast Summary
Our brains are wired as time machines but struggle with time perception during the pandemic: Understanding that our brains continue to function as time machines despite skewed perception during the pandemic, maintaining routines, and finding ways to mark the passage of time can help.
Our brains are naturally wired as time machines, but many of us are struggling with the perception of time during the pandemic. Neurobiology and psychology professor Dean Buono from UCLA discussed this phenomenon on the NPR podcast Shortwave. He explained that our brains rely on the ability to predict the future, which requires understanding when events will occur. However, the uncertainty surrounding the end of the pandemic has left many feeling disconnected from the concept of time. Despite this, Buono emphasized the importance of recognizing that our brains are still functioning as time machines, even if our perception of time is skewed. The podcast also touched on the importance of maintaining routines and finding ways to mark the passage of time, such as baking or engaging in daily activities. So, while the pandemic may have disrupted our sense of time, it's essential to remember that our brains are still working to help us navigate the present and anticipate the future.
Multiple Clocks in the Brain for Different Functions: Our brains have multiple internal clocks, each with distinct roles, including a primary circadian clock for sleep-wake cycles and shorter-timescale clocks for seconds and minutes.
Our brains have multiple internal clocks, each with different functions. While we have a primary circadian clock that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, there are also clocks that help us determine seconds and minutes, independent of the hour. These various clocks work together to help us navigate and experience time. Support for this NPR podcast comes from Amgen, a biotechnology company leading the charge in developing treatments for some of the world's toughest diseases. They continue to innovate and push boundaries in human health, delivering new therapies each decade. Traditionally, it was believed that there was a single master clock in the brain responsible for timekeeping. However, we now understand that there are numerous clocks within the brain, each with distinct roles. The most well-known is the circadian clock, which influences our sleep patterns and appetite. This clock operates on a 24-hour cycle, but it's not the only clock in town. Our brains also contain clocks that operate on a much shorter timescale. For example, there are circuits that help us determine the length of a red light or the tempo of music. These clocks don't care about the hour of the day, but they do help us tell time on a finer scale. So, while we have a primary clock that tells us when it's time to sleep or eat, we also have clocks that help us tell time on a second-by-second basis. These various clocks work together to help us navigate and experience time in our daily lives.
Neuroscience of Time Measurement: The brain has specialized circuits for measuring time on various scales, using patterns of neural activity to keep track of multiple tasks simultaneously.
Our brains have specialized circuits for keeping track of time on various scales, from seconds to days. While we have a good understanding of the circadian clocks that regulate our sleep-wake cycles, the neuroscience behind the neural networks responsible for measuring time in seconds is less clear. However, it's believed that these networks function by generating patterns of neural activity, with each neuron signaling a specific duration. This allows the brain to keep track of multiple tasks that require time measurement simultaneously. Essentially, most brain circuits have the ability to tell time if needed. This discovery highlights the intricacy of the human brain and the importance of time in our daily lives.
Our perception of time is influenced by both prospective and retrospective experiences: During the pandemic, days may feel long due to lack of novelty, but looking back, time may seem to have flown by due to memory's affinity for novelty. Engage in new activities to improve perception of time.
Our perception of time, whether it feels long or short, is influenced by both our current experiences (prospective time) and our memories of past experiences (retrospective time). During the pandemic, many people report feeling like the present is stretching on endlessly, as days seem to drag. This is due to the lack of novelty and emotional richness in our daily routines, making prospective time seem longer. However, when looking back on this time, people often report that it flew by. This is because retrospective time is shaped by memory, which thrives on novelty and tends to overlook insignificant or repetitive events. To help combat a distorted sense of time during the pandemic, try engaging in novel activities. Even simple changes, like switching up your daily puzzles or hobbies, can provide your brain with new experiences and help make the days feel more normal. By incorporating novelty into our routines, we can improve our perception of time and better navigate the challenges of the present.
The Importance of Schedules for Productivity and Well-being: Maintaining a schedule, even for rest, is vital for productivity and well-being. Astronauts stress the need for a temporal framework, but re-adjusting to a scheduled routine after flexibility may require effort.
Maintaining a schedule, even for activities like rest and relaxation, is crucial for productivity and well-being. Astronauts, for instance, emphasize the importance of having a temporal framework to manage their time effectively. However, transitioning back into a scheduled routine after a period of flexibility may require some effort. This adaptability is a testament to humans' ability to adjust to changing circumstances. As we move forward, it's essential to consider the lessons we can learn from this experience and apply them to our future routines. The clockwork structure of our lives may seem challenging initially, but it's a necessary aspect of maintaining balance and productivity. The podcast "Shortwave from NPR" discussed the importance of schedules, touching upon astronauts' experiences and the challenges of re-establishing routines. The episode was produced by Abby Wendell, edited by Viet Le, and featured an interview with Dean Sheremet. Listeners can tune in for more insights on productivity and adaptation.
