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Episode 129 · How the Brain Works
Why Time Crawls When You're Stressed
Stress can stretch time until a few seconds feel strangely huge inside your body.
The Science
- Dopamine, norepinephrine, body temperature, and attention all help shape your inner clock.
- When arousal spikes, the brain samples more details, so waiting and fear feel longer.
- Absorption does the opposite, which is why the same minute can crawl in panic and vanish in a game.
The Protocol
- Change body signals with movement, cooling, slow breathing, or naming the feeling.
- When waiting for a reply, set a timer and leave the checking loop.
- Give attention somewhere honest to go instead of sampling the same uncertainty.
One-page summary
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The science beat (5-sec loop)
Sources
- Huberman, A. Time Perception & Entrainment by Dopamine, Serotonin & Hormones. Huberman Lab Podcast.
Educational content only. Not medical advice.
Also on Instagram: @neurosensebrain
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