TED Health
Does your heartbeat shape your sense of time? | Irena Arslanova
Apr 8, 2025
In this insightful conversation, cognitive neuroscientist Irena Arslanova, a prominent figure in understanding the brain-heart connection, reveals how our heartbeat intricately shapes our perception of time. She discusses why moments feel elongated during boredom while they race by during excitement. Arslanova highlights how heartbeats influence cognitive processes and can even alter our temporal awareness. Listeners gain practical techniques for harnessing this knowledge to enhance mindfulness and enrich their experience of time in everyday life.
11:35
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Quick takeaways
- The perception of time is influenced by heart rhythms, demonstrating that physiological states affect our cognitive experiences of time.
- Tuning into bodily sensations like heartbeat may enhance mindfulness, enabling better control over how we experience time in daily life.
Deep dives
The Connection Between Heartbeat and Time Perception
The perception of time is closely tied to the rhythm of heartbeats, as revealed by cognitive neuroscientist Irina Arslanova. Research shows that the brain's perception of time can vary based on heart activity, where stimuli experienced during heart contractions are perceived to last shorter than those occurring during relaxation. This connection suggests that understanding our own internal bodily states can influence how we perceive the passage of time. The study emphasizes that time is not solely a mental construct, but is also shaped by physiological factors, enabling opportunities for improving focus and presence in daily life.
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