Time is constant, but our experience of it is anything but. Some days feel like they fly by in minutes, while others drag endlessly. This strange, subjective sense of time isn’t just a trick of the mind—it’s deeply rooted in the brain’s chemistry. Our perception of time is influenced by neurochemicals that respond to emotions, attention, movement, and even survival instincts.
Dopamine and the Fast Lane
Dopamine is often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, but it’s also closely tied to how we track time. High dopamine levels—often triggered by excitement, novelty, or reward—can make time feel like it’s moving quickly. For example, when you’re deeply engaged in a stimulating conversation or caught up in an exciting project, you might look up and realize hours have passed. This is sometimes referred to as being “in the zone” or experiencing “flow.”
On the flip side, low dopamine levels can make time feel sluggish. People with conditions like depression or Parkinson’s disease, which involve dopamine dysfunction, often report feeling like time moves more slowly or that the days drag on.
Adrenaline and Time Dilation in High-Stress Moments
In moments of acute stress or danger, the brain releases adrenaline. This chemical sharpens focus and heightens awareness, which can alter time perception dramatically. Many people who have been in car accidents or near-death experiences describe events feeling like they happened in slow motion.
This “time dilation” effect happens because adrenaline causes the brain to record more details in a shorter period. When recalling the event later, it feels like it took much longer than it actually did. It’s not that time actually slowed down—your brain just processed more information in that span.
Serotonin and the Sense of Stability
Serotonin plays a more stabilizing role in mood and perception. When serotonin levels are balanced, people tend to experience a steady and consistent sense of time. However, in cases of serotonin imbalance—such as during anxiety or certain mental health disorders—time may feel distorted.
For instance, during a panic attack, minutes can feel like hours. This may be due to the brain’s heightened sensitivity and hyper-awareness, amplifying the perception of time passing more slowly.
Oxytocin and the Timelessness of Connection
Oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone,” is released during moments of trust, connection, and intimacy. This neurochemical can affect time in a very different way—by making it disappear altogether. Think about losing track of time during a deep conversation with a close friend or when cuddling with a partner. In these moments, time doesn’t feel fast or slow—it feels irrelevant.
Routine vs. Novelty: The Memory-Time Paradox
Interestingly, the way we remember time is also affected by how our brain processes routine versus novelty. During routine activities, the brain doesn’t form many new memories, so time feels like it passed quickly. That’s why weeks can blur together when life feels monotonous.
On the other hand, when we experience new or unusual events, our brain creates more detailed memories. Looking back, those periods feel longer and more substantial. For example, a vacation packed with new sights and experiences often feels much longer in retrospect than a regular workweek, even if they were the same number of days.
Conclusion: The Brain’s Clock Isn’t Just About Time
Our perception of time is not just about ticking seconds—it’s a reflection of how our brain responds to life. Neurochemicals like dopamine, adrenaline, serotonin, and oxytocin all play a role in shaping how we experience the world moment by moment.
Understanding this helps explain why time feels elastic. It stretches and contracts based on what we’re feeling, what we’re focused on, and how our brain is wired to respond. In the end, time might be constant, but how we live it is anything but.
