Have you ever wondered why certain songs instantly trigger a memory or feeling and take you back to a specific time? Whether it’s the theme tune to that children’s show you loved, the song that would always get you up on the dance floor as a teen, or maybe a heartbreak ballad that got you through your first breakup.
It’s not all in your head, because, as it turns out, there is a name for this phenomenon.
It’s called neural nostalgia, and it can be a mood booster, bring comfort, or trigger a core memory. This is something that Nikki Roy, 34, a certified clinical therapist and entrepreneur, often talks about online. Roy, of Vancouver, Canada, told Newsweek that the brain “links the auditory input” with a strong emotional memory from that time. This, in turn, activates the brain’s pleasure circuit, releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which collectively “make us feel good.”
Roy said: “It can be a wonderful mood booster, bringing comfort, happiness, and connection to past positive experiences. Even if the music doesn’t trigger a specific memory, we still experience a rush of neurochemicals that impacts how our body feels. However, if the associated memory is sad or painful, it can sometimes bring up difficult feelings too.”
While neural nostalgia can occur with any genre, Roy said that it tends to occur with music that had an impact on us during adolescence and early adulthood. This typically ranges from the age of 12 to our early twenties.
Indeed, Roy noted that it works best with music that was “highly emotionally significant” during our formative years. Nonetheless, any music tied to a strong memory or time of life can trigger the phenomenon.
“I think it highlights how powerful music is as a therapeutic tool for emotional regulation. Our mental health can be complex, and finding such a powerful tool in music is wonderfully beautiful,” Roy continued.
Why Is Neural Nostalgia So Powerful?
This is a concept many people may have experienced but not understand why, so Roy took to social media to explain it. She posted an Instagram Reel (@nikkiroy.collection) in February to reveal why nostalgic songs from our teens “hit so hard.” The video has since gone viral with over 2.3 million views on Instagram at the time of writing.
In simple terms, it may seem like the brain is remembering a song from the past, but Dr. Jenny Martin, a clinical psychologist and founder of Gemstone Wellness, told Newsweek that it’s far more than that. In fact, it is about “remembering who we were” when we initially heard that song.
Much of Martin’s training bridges the gap between music and psychology, as she also earned a degree in music and songwriting at Berklee College of Music. As music is one of the most-efficient emotional triggers, neural nostalgia arises in her work frequently.
“Music from adolescence and early adulthood becomes deeply encoded in the brain because that period is when identity formation and emotional intensity are at their peak,” Martin said. “The brain’s memory and reward systems are especially active during those years, so songs become strongly linked to autobiographical memory. When we hear them, the brain rapidly reactivates those emotional networks.”
One person may experience it with rock music, while another may feel all the emotions after hearing a certain showtune. The genre can vary, as Martin said it is more about “emotional imprinting” than the type of music.
The Social Media Response
The online reaction to Roy’s Instagram video has been overwhelmingly positive. It resonated with so many people who loved understanding this everyday concept that had otherwise passed them by. The video has also inspired many to create their own neural nostalgia playlist, as Roy told Newsweek it can be “a great motivator” with positive effects.
“People really like knowing there is science behind something that seems simple. But, if we peel back some of life’s complexities, we can find a lot of joy and healing in things that are really accessible, like music,” Roy said.
She continued: “Intentionally curate playlists from significant times in your life and listen often. It can help process emotions like sadness, helplessness, and grief, bringing moments of joy or helping to regulate and shift energy. Music can help us connect to younger versions of ourselves, aiding in processing inner child or inner teen work.”
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