Part 5/12:
Experiments demonstrate that when individuals are isolated from natural light and clocks, their perception of elapsed time becomes distorted—they tend to underestimate the duration of their stay and lose track of short time intervals. These findings emphasize the importance of consistent circadian cues in maintaining precise time perception.
The Role of Neurochemicals in Time Perception
Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are the key neuromodulators that influence how we perceive the passage of time. Elevated dopamine levels tend to make us overestimate how much time has passed—think of the “fast-forward” feeling during exciting moments—and vice versa for serotonin, which can lead to perceiving time as moving more slowly.