Neural Nostalgia: Why are We Attached to the Music of Our Teenage Years
Nostalgia: Music of Our Teenage Years
Think back to the music you listened to as a teenager. It’s probably more emotionally attached to you than any other music in your life. Why is that? What is it about music from our teenage years that makes it so special?
When we are teenagers, music is one of the most important things in our lives. It’s a way to express ourselves and connect with others. We use music to explore our identity and figure out who we are. It’s a crucial part of our development.
Teenage years is a time when we’re going through major changes in our lives. We’re growing and learning at a rapid pace. Our brains are developing and we are exposed to new ideas and experiences. Music is one of the things that help us make sense of all these changes.
It’s no wonder, then, that music from our teenage years is so emotionally attached to us. The music we listen to during this time period is a reflection of who we are and what we we were going through. During this time as teens we are also discovering music on our own and are finding music that we connect with on a personal level.
All these factors come together to create a strong emotional connection to the music we listen to as teenagers. It’s a time in our lives when we’re growing and changing, and music is one of the things associated with our identity.
According to Science our neurons have a lot to do with the music we love hearing. When we enjoy a song, our brain’s pleasure circuits get activated and the brain releases dopamine. This is the same chemical that’s released when we eat food. In other words, music makes us feel good. Oxytocin, serotonin, and other chemicals are also released when we listen to music we enjoy. These chemicals make us feel happy and connected to others.
Oxytocin is sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” because it makes us feel close to others. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate our mood. It’s often called the “happy hormone.”
So, when we listen to music we enjoy, our brains release chemicals that make us feel good. That’s why music from our teenage years is so special to us. It’s not just the memories that the music evokes. It’s also the physical and emotional response that we have to the music.
Listening to music is one of the best ways to connect with our teenage selves. It helps us remember who we were. It’s a way to connect with our past and relive some of the best moments of our lives.
All this to say, this is why music can be a major key to help patients with dementia and Alzheimer ’s who suffer from memory loss and mental functions.
If this post resonated with you, be sure to check out our other post ” How listening to music can change your perception of time.”
What music from your teenage years do you still enjoy listening to? Do you have any songs that take you back to those days? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading!