The Catchy Melodies That Stick in Your Head

Unwilling musical memory:

Earworms are thought to be a form of involuntary musical memory from a psychological standpoint. In other words, they are tunes that we do not consciously want to recall but remain in our brains. According to research, earworms have a few key qualities that make them more prone to get trapped in our heads. A simple melody, a repeated rhythm, and a unique hook or phrase are examples of these.

The cerebral processing of music by the brain:

The brain’s neuronal processing of music is one of the most important aspects that lead to the experience of earworms. Music is processed in a variety of brain locations, including the auditory cortex, prefrontal cortex, and limbic system. When we listen to music, dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is released. This dopamine release contributes to the formation of good associations with the music, making it more likely to be remembered and repeated in our thoughts.

Chunking:

The phenomenon of chunking is another component that contributes to earworms. This is when our brains organize information into larger, more comprehensible parts. In the case of music, our brains may piece together a song’s melody, rhythm, and lyrics, making it simpler to recall and replay in our heads. Once a song has been chunked together in our minds, it gets more difficult to forget, resulting in the earworm experience.

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”.

Tips and Tricks for Managing Earworms

Earworms are not considered a significant medical problem, but they can be bothersome and distracting, especially if they last for a long time. Earworms usually go away on their own within a few hours or days. However, they can last for weeks or even months in certain circumstances, which can be more disturbing. Certain measures, however, can aid in the management of earworms. Dr Shivaram Rao K distributed them as follows (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Involuntary, Limited, and Contiguously Repeating Musical Imagery (InLaCReMI): Reconciling Theory and Data on the Musical Material Acquired by Earworms

):

1. Listen to a different song or melody to help break up the earworm’s repetition and replace it with something else.
2. Perform a mental task requiring focus and concentration, such as a crossword puzzle or reading a book. This can assist in diverting your focus away from the earworm and breaking the cycle of repetition.
3. Some people find that physical activities, like exercising or going for a walk, can help to lower the intensity of the earworm or eliminate it.
4. Relaxation practices such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can also assist to reduce stress and anxiety, which can be a trigger for earworms.

References:

1. Earworms (stuck song syndrome): towards a natural history of intrusive thoughts – (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19948084/)
2. Involuntary, Limited, and Contiguously Repeating Musical Imagery (InLaCReMI): Reconciling Theory and Data on the Musical Material Acquired by Earworms – (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20592043231165661)

Source: Medindia