The Science Behind Why You Still Love Songs From Your Teenage Years
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Don't Let Go Of The Music From Your Teen Years, That Nostalgia Is Actually Healthy For You

Your brain releases "dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and other neurochemicals that make us feel good" when you hear your favorite song.

406
Old-school gramophone on a table

There is a reason why you feel emotionally connected to the songs you listened to as a teenager. Not only do you suddenly remember all the lyrics, but you can remember all the memories and feelings you have connected with each song even though you haven't heard it in years. When you experience that flood of personal memories, you are experiencing musical nostalgia.

The reason why people are so connected to the music they listened to as a teenager is that between the ages of 12 to 22 you are developing your own identity. While you are trying to build your sense of self you are finding music both on your own and with friends. During this time your brain is also developing very quickly. According to brain imaging studies when people listen to their favorite song their brain's pleasure circuit releases "dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and other neurochemicals that make us feel good," but when this happens to teenagers the music also gets "wired into our lobes for good."

Since this music that you listened to as a teenager was embedded into your developing brain more and more every time you listened to it, you feel nostalgic when you hear it again in the present day. Those times were packed with emotions that your pubertal growth hormones told your brain were super important, meaning that now you can still remember what you felt all those years ago, describes Mark Joseph Stern.

You stored all these memories of listening to music during your teenage years in your implicit memory. Your brain has two different types of memory, implicit and explicit. When a memory is stored in your explicit memory it is done on purpose while the memories you store in your implicit memory are done unconsciously, according to The BBC. Because you unconsciously put these memories into your implicit memory they are "often regarded as powerful" and "emotional, as well as durable." That way even as an adult you can hear that song from years ago and vividly remember how you felt when you listened as a teenager.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40450
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25046
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950727
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

131995
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments