Know your body: Why a song or tune gets stuck in your head

Dr Arvind Bhateja, lead neurosurgeon, Sparsh Hospitals, took to Instagram to inform that when a person experiences earworm, the phonological loop that is located in the auditory cortex in the brain “goes on stimulating itself and getting stronger and stronger.” “That is why you sometimes cannot get a particular tune or song out of your head,” he wrote on Instagram.

 

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A post shared by Doc Arvind Bhateja (Doc AB) (@doc.arvind.bhateja)

Reasons of getting earworm

There could be various reasons for getting an earworm. Dr Diptarka Bhattacharyya MBBS, DNB – ENT, MS – ENT ENT/ Otorhinolaryngologist, Apollo Spectra Hospitals Koramangala, Bangalore shared some of them with indianexpress.com. They are:

1. Involuntary musical memory. From a psychological perspective, earworms are believed to be a type of involuntary musical memory. In other words, they are songs that we do not actively choose to remember, but they still stick in our minds. Research has shown that earworms tend to have a few distinct characteristics that make them more likely to get stuck in our heads. These include a simple melody, a repetitive rhythm, and a unique hook or phrase.

2. Brain’s neural processing of music. One of the most significant factors that contribute to the experience of earworms is the brain’s neural processing of music. Music is processed in many different areas of the brain, including the auditory cortex, the prefrontal cortex, and the limbic system. When we listen to music, it triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward. This release of dopamine helps to create positive associations with the music, making it more likely to be remembered and replayed in our minds.

From a neuroscientific perspective, earworms have been studied using brain imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). (Pic source: Pexels)

3. Chunking. Another factor that contributes to earworms is the phenomenon of chunking. This is when our brains group together pieces of information into larger, more manageable chunks. In the case of music, our brains may chunk together the melody, rhythm, and lyrics of a song, making it easier to remember and replay in our minds. Once a song is chunked together in our brains, it becomes more difficult to forget, leading to the experience of an earworm.

4. Increased activity in auditory cortex and prefrontal cortex. From a neuroscientific perspective, earworms have been studied using brain imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). These studies have shown that when people experience earworms, there is increased activity in the auditory cortex and the prefrontal cortex. This suggests that the brain is actively processing and replaying the tune in these regions.

Dr Bhattacharyya added, “Interestingly, research has also shown that earworms are more likely to occur during times when our brains are not fully engaged, such as when we are engaged in repetitive or mundane tasks. This may explain why people often report experiencing earworms when doing household chores, driving, or other similar activities”.

How to get rid of earworm

Earworms are generally not considered a serious medical condition, but they can be annoying and distracting, especially if they persist for a long time. For most people, earworms go away on their own within a few hours or days. However, in some cases, they can persist for weeks or even months, which can be more distressing. However certain strategies can help manage earworm. Dr Shivaram Rao K shared them as:

1. Listen to a different song or melody, which can help to disrupt the repetition of the earworm and replace it with something else.

2. Engage in a mental task that requires focus and concentration, such as doing a crossword puzzle or reading a book. This can help to redirect your attention away from the earworm and break the cycle of repetition.

3. Some people also find that physical activities, such as exercise or taking a walk, can help to reduce the intensity of the earworm or make it go away completely.

4. In addition, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can sometimes be a trigger for earworms.

More in the series:

Know your body: Is earwax a type of sweat?

Know your body: Are we (slightly) taller in the morning?

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