Why songs stick in my head and how to get rid of a sticky melody

“Ear worm” is the name of the phenomenon when the same melody or part of it is constantly spinning in the head. It is universal and affects people regardless of their age and culture. Its main difference from any other memory that spontaneously pops up in memory is that the song is repeated in a circle, like a broken record.

Why do songs get stuck in my head?

Scientists don't know for sure. But they suggest that this has something to do with the structure of our brain: something in our structure allows musical patterns to arise and repeat over and over again. Research showthat "earworms" are usually a response to several major triggers. This is novelty, familiarity and boredom.

Our brains are made up of a huge, complex network of neurons that store information. When he has the opportunity to roam freely, he may unwittingly stumble upon a song that he has saved because we recently heard it for the first time or listened to it often in the past. Some composers and songwriters intentionally add repetition to their music in order to increase the chances that it will "stick".

Scientists also call "ear worms" the stuck song syndrome and the involuntary repetition of musical images, because they enter our head without invitation or warning. We just turn on the radio or a random playlist as background, and after a few minutes some song starts spinning in our head, whether we like it or not.

Usually something simple, repetitive, and easy to sing will stick. Or children's songs in which the same lines sound, so that it is easier for kids to remember information.

Who has songs stuck in their heads most often?

Certain emotional states make us more vulnerable to earworms. For example, fatigue, stress or boredom. At the same time, we find ourselves in a paradoxical vicious circle: in order not to think about something, you need to remember what exactly you should not think about.

By their nature, "ear worms" are a peculiar form rumination. According to one recent research, songs are more likely to "stick" in people suffering from anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Their brains are designed in such a way that they cannot help but indulge in endless obsessive thoughts.

In some cases, the involuntary repetition of musical images, for various reasons, can last for months and even years, worsening the quality of a person's life and preventing him from working.

How to get rid of a "sticky" song

Most people don't really worry about another random motif that spins endlessly in their heads. But unfortunately, "earwormsdo not see the difference between pleasant melodies and songs that we cannot stand.

If you are tired of the same thing constantly “playing” in your head, try the following:

• Finish the song. When you know only part of the composition, it is she who begins to "stick". But as soon as you listen to the whole song, the brain will receive a message that the task is completed and there is no need to repeat the motive anymore. If you don't want to listen to a song or don't have time for it, imagine applause as if the performer just finished it at a concert.
• Take a break. Switch your attention to something else, like memes. Experts say that any image or sound that competes with the "earworm" will help get rid of it. Even chewing chewing gum able to break the musical loop and force out the obsessive melody from thoughts.
• Expand your playlist. If it contains songs with a wide variety of tempos and rhythms, your brain is less likely to get stuck on a particular song.
• Listen to a track specially created to get rid of "jamming" songs. It destroys the neural structures that cling to memorable compositions. In this track, which lasts 42 seconds, no rhythm, no melody. It simply takes the place of the "ear worm" in the brain.
• Change the words. Try playing the song in your head, replacing the usual nouns, adjectives or verbs with others that fit the time. For example, instead of "In the field birch stood" to sing "In the field there was a birch."

Don't get too hung up on suppressing an annoying melody. Think of it as a cognitive itch. If you "scratch" it hard, the discomfort may drag on. However, if you can't get the song out of your head for more than a day and it interferes with your life and work, it may be worth contacting a specialist. This may be a symptom of a rare, treatable disease.

What helps you get rid of the obsessive melody in your head? Tell in the comments.