Ever heard the saying that time flies when you’re having fun? A recent study conducted by a team of researchers from UNLV suggests that this statement holds a lot of truth.
Ever heard the saying that time flies when you’re having fun? A recent study by a team of UNLV researchers suggests that this saying is indeed accurate.
Many individuals assume that their brains are in tune with the time displayed on their electronic devices, ticking away in precise minute intervals. However, the study, published in the most recent edition of the peer-reviewed Cell Press journal Current Biology, indicates that our brains do not function in such a structured manner.
Through an examination of changes in brain activity patterns, the research team discovered that our perception of time is influenced by the quantity of experiences we encounter, rather than by an internal clock. Furthermore, increasing the pace or intensity of an activity appears to impact how our brains gauge the passing of time.
“We gauge time based on our own experiences, the actions we take, and events that occur around us,” explained James Hyman, a psychology associate professor at UNLV and the senior author of the study. “During times of inactivity or boredom, time seems to pass slowly because there is little to no activity. Conversely, when multiple events unfold, each activity propels our brains forward. If this is how our brains perceive time, then the more actions we undertake and the more events we encounter, the faster time seems to progress.”
Research Approach and Discoveries
The findings were derived from an analysis of activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region crucial for monitoring activity and tracking experiences. Rodents were trained to respond to a prompt using their noses 200 times for the study.
Scientists were already aware that brain patterns exhibit similarities with slight variations each time a repetitive motion is performed. They aimed to investigate whether these subtle changes in brain patterns corresponded to the first versus the 200th motion in a series. They also wanted to determine if the duration to complete a series of motions influenced brain wave activity.
By comparing pattern variations throughout the task, researchers observed detectable alterations in brain activity as the subjects progressed from the initial to the middle and eventually the end of the task. Regardless of the animals’ speed, the brain patterns followed a consistent trajectory. Further confirmation of this phenomenon was provided when a machine learning-based model accurately predicted the flow of brain activity, supporting the idea that experiences, rather than conventional time measurements, lead to changes in neuronal activity patterns.
Hyman illustrated the core findings with an analogy involving two factory workers assigned to produce 100 widgets during their shift, with one worker completing the task in 30 minutes and the other in 90 minutes.
“The time taken to complete the task did not affect the brain patterns. The brain doesn’t function like a clock; it behaves more like a counter,” Hyman clarified. “Our brains register a sense, a feeling of time. This implies that our workers producing widgets can distinguish between making widget No. 85 and widget No. 60, but not necessarily between No. 85 and No. 88.”
So, how exactly does the brain keep track of time? Researchers discovered that as the brain engages in a task involving a sequence of motions, small groups of firing cells collaborate, essentially transferring the task to different neuron groups every few repetitions, akin to relay race runners passing a baton.
“The cells work together and gradually synchronize to accomplish the task: one set of cells handles a few tasks, then passes them on to another set,” Hyman explained. “The cells monitor motions, chunks of activities, and time as the task progresses.”
Additionally, the study’s insights into our brain’s perception of time extends beyond physical actions to other activity-based actions as well.
“This same brain region is involved when following a conversation during a meal,” noted Hyman. “Think about the flow of the conversation; you can recall topics discussed earlier, during dessert, and towards the end of the meal. While you may not remember each individual sentence, you are cognizant of the progression of topics throughout the dinner.”
Observations from rodents that worked at a rapid pace led scientists to conclude that maintaining a brisk tempo influences time perception: “The more we engage, the quicker time seems to elapse. They say that time flies when you’re having fun. Instead of solely associating this with enjoyment, it might be more fitting to say ‘time flies when you’re actively engaged’.”
Key Insights
Although there is abundant knowledge on brain functions over very brief time intervals of less than a second, Hyman highlighted that the groundbreaking aspect of the UNLV study is its exploration of brain patterns and time perception over intervals ranging from a few minutes to hours – mirroring how we live much of our lives: one hour at a time.
“This study is among the initial investigations into behavioral time scales within the ACC, a brain region known for its influence on behavior and emotions,” Hyman remarked.
The ACC is implicated in numerous psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, focusing on mood disorders, PTSD, addiction, and anxiety. The ACC function is integral in various dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, which can distort time perception. Historically, the ACC has been linked to aiding humans in sequencing events or tasks such as following recipes, and the research team speculates that their findings on time perception may align with this function.
While the study constitutes a significant advancement, further research is necessary. Nevertheless, Hyman indicated that the initial findings offer valuable insights into time perception and its probable link to memory processes in people’s everyday lives. For instance, researchers suggest that these insights could assist in managing tasks like school assignments or coping with emotional experiences such as breakups.
“If we intend to remember something, adopting shorter study sessions and allowing time between activities may be beneficial. Allocating quiet periods without constant movement could aid memory retention,” Hyman advised. “Conversely, for swift transitions from one activity to another, immediate engagement in a new task may be advantageous.”
Hyman highlighted the significant relationship between the ACC, emotion, and cognition. Viewing the brain as a tangible entity that one can influence may enable individuals to regulate their subjective experiences.
“When things progress rapidly, they may seem more enjoyable, or sometimes overwhelming. Rather than viewing this solely as a psychological state, whether positive or negative, recognizing it as a physical process could be beneficial,” he suggested. “In times of overwhelm, slowing down can provide relief, while in moments of boredom, engaging in activities can be stimulating. People intuitively practice this, but acknowledging it as a technique to enhance mental well-being, considering our brains’ natural functioning, can be empowering.”
