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Essentials: Time Perception, Memory & Focus

This episode delves into the intricate ways our brain and body perceive and process time, driven by biological rhythms and neurochemical activity. From daily light cycles to internal neural clocks, the discussion reveals how deeply physiology shapes our experience of time.
The podcast explains how circadian and circannual rhythms, regulated by light exposure and melatonin, influence energy, mood, and hormonal balance throughout the year. Morning and afternoon light, along with regular exercise, support circadian entrainment, which is critical for cognitive function and accurate time perception. Ultradian cycles of approximately 90 minutes govern focus and mental performance, suggesting optimal work intervals should align with these natural rhythms. Neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine make time feel longer, while serotonin shortens it, with dopamine playing a key role in both real-time perception and memory formation. Traumatic events heighten time perception through increased neural firing, whereas novel experiences enrich retrospective time by boosting dopamine. In contrast, routine and boredom lead to faster subjective time but poorer memory retention. The episode emphasizes structuring work and rest in functional units aligned with neurochemical peaks, particularly in the morning, and highlights the importance of sleep and rhythm stability for mental clarity and emotional regulation.
04:01
04:01
Longer days lead to increased testosterone and estrogen production
07:33
07:33
People in isolation without time cues underestimated their stay duration.
09:01
09:01
AGZ combines clinically supported ingredients in optimal ratios for improved sleep quality
13:03
13:03
After 90 minutes of focused work, cognitive performance diminishes due to neurochemical depletion.
16:22
16:22
Dopamine causes people to think time passes faster than it does
18:40
18:40
Dopamine and norepinephrine enhance focus and are highest in the morning.
20:31
20:31
High frame rate during trauma imprints memories with emotional intensity
26:28
26:28
Fun events feel short in the moment but long in memory due to dopamine.
29:36
29:36
Dopamine governs our time perception, making novel experiences feel longer.
31:32
31:32
Habits cause dopamine release, marking specific times of the day and helping to structure our daily experience.