Decoding 'Earworms': The Catchy Melodies That Stick in Your Head

Do you ever find yourself humming a song on repeat even when you're not thinking about it? It is a common occurrence known as an earworm. Do you want to learn more about this fascinating part of the brain? Let's decipher this.

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Science Behind Catchy Earworms

In simple terms, an earworm is a catchy tune or melody that gets caught in your head and repeats itself again and over (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Earworms (stuck song syndrome): towards a natural history of intrusive thoughts

Go to source). An earworm is so named because it acts like a musical parasite that burrows into your head and refuses to leave. Dr Shivaram Rao K, Consultant Neuro Physician, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad said, “Earworms are often simple, repetitive, and easy to remember, which is why they can be so persistent. They can be triggered by hearing a song on the radio, listening to music in a store or restaurant, or just by thinking about a tune you heard recently”. Dr. Arvind Bhateja, a lead neurosurgeon at Sparsh Hospitals, posted on Instagram that when a person gets an earworm, the phonological loop in the auditory cortex of the brain "continues stimulating itself and getting stronger and stronger." "That is why you sometimes can't get a specific tune or song out of your head," he explained on Instagram.

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Exploring the Causes of Earworms

An earworm could occur for a variety of causes. Some of them were shared with indianexpress.com by Dr Diptarka Bhattacharyya, MBBS, DNB - ENT, MS - ENT ENT/ Otorhinolaryngologist, Apollo Spectra Hospitals Koramangala, Bangalore. They are as follows:

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”.

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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

Go to source):

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