#Manipal The Talk Network » Feed Manipal The Talk Network » Comments Feed Manipal The Talk Network » The Neurology of Nostalgia—Why Do We Long for the Past? Comments Feed alternate alternate -- Open Search The Neurology of Nostalgia—Why Do We Long for the Past? -- Nostalgia is defined as “a feeling of pleasure and also slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past”, by the Cambridge Dictionary. The term nostalgia encompasses that bittersweet feeling of recollecting fond memories of the past. From flipping through photo albums to scrolling through your photo gallery, from -- Derived from the Greek words “nostos” (meaning homecoming) and “algos” (meaning pain/ache), nostalgia used to have negative associations historically and was often thought of as a disease. However, the meaning of the word has metamorphosed over the years. Present-day research portrays an entirely different story that has unraveled behind the scenes, through experiments and studies. These studies have found that nostalgia can enrich resilience and happiness amongst humans. Further, the more nostalgia that is experienced, the more optimistic a person is likely to become. Nostalgia in Neurology: Your brain rewards you and is proud of you! Experiencing nostalgia cannot be limited by viewing it as solely a feeling. Although nostalgia is defined appropriately, it is often used loosely — ignoring the implications it has on the human mind and brain function. -- visual and cosy memory that makes you smile? Or perhaps a whiff of some flower that takes you back to your grandmother’s garden? Some factors like smell, music or scenery can trigger nostalgia in us. The trigger of nostalgia is usually an environmental factor such as a conversation with a childhood friend, or a certain significant date. However, it may also involve instinctive remembrance of the past. Every time nostalgia is experienced, a part of the brain is activated. The performance and activity of the brain’s reward systems and memory system are altered through stimulation. This includes the hippocampus — -- When the reward systems in the brain are triggered, a chemical known as Dopamine is released. Researchers have led experiments using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans to reveal that when nostalgia is felt, there is a close link between the release of dopamine and memories in the hippocampus. The dopamine deposits itself directly in the -- In this sense, nostalgia itself can be considered to be a type of reward since it allows us to relive memories of the past. This also explains how when you think about specific memories or details -- Thus, in our constant stride towards the future, recalling and reliving happy memories from the past and creating the feeling of nostalgia, as a result, can lead to boosted levels of happiness, and reduced stress levels. Nostalgia Marketing: Your Fond Memories of the Past—Offer Valid Till Stocks Last! Over the years, the powerhouses of the world — politicians, marketers and large organizations — have taken to nostalgia as a trick under their sleeves. Since nostalgia brings back strong emotion, it is easily used as an appeal, ploying the common person to create connections. -- Washing Powder Nirma, Parle-G biscuits, Frooti — these are just some of several Indian brands that established themselves years ago and took to nostalgia marketing decades later. The reason they are able to do brilliantly in the market even today is because their brand recall value is immensely powerful. Their products are purchased and advertisements watched because viewers are able to feel an emotional connect and nostalgia of their childhood days. An often-used proverb, old is gold, is particularly relevant here. Nostalgia marketing taps into emotions and connectedness, taking people for a trip down memory lane. A marketers’ target audience is likely to remain loyal if they can connect to the brand. Nostalgia marketing allows brands to acknowledge the present without letting go of the past. Consumers today are able to re-experience the past through -- to the advertisement, it translates into a connection with the brand. Cultural Implications of Nostalgia Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson: you find the present tense, but the past perfect! -- A Professor of Sociology and Personality Psychology, Constantine Sedikides, describes Nostalgia as the “perfect internal politician, connecting the past with the present, pointing optimistically to the future.” Nostalgia has the power to bring a group of people closer and allows a person to establish a better connection with themselves. Through the knowledge of its impact and a deeper dive into how nostalgia works — the benefit of nostalgia can be applied to personal lives. Nostalgia can be a harbinger of a sense of calm and joy. However, treading carefully on this front is a must, because it doesn’t take much for nostalgia to become a cycle of negativity. “Those were simpler times, can’t we just go back to those days?” are especially common thoughts when recalling childhood memories. Instead of trying to -- between where you are today and where you were years ago. This can also be a signal of growth and positive change. It is also important to acknowledge how the moments that cause nostalgia today have augmented life over the years. Childhood and the Nostalgic effect on Decisions As said before, nostalgia arises from memories, and typically it starts when we become young adults. So usually nostalgia is shaped a lot by childhood memories— a time when there were almost no responsibilities and when our thoughts and vision of the world were a lot simpler. It -- would refuse to think otherwise. Nostalgia and Dreams Dreams and memories have a rather interesting connection. It has been -- Hence a dream can actually create contact between us and people we haven’t met for a long time. It can show us places from far away memories and thus trigger nostalgia in us. It can let us interact with our past memories or fond experiences and be a great source of comfort to us. Sometimes we might even feel very strong emotions and the dream may seem so real that they are more impactful than real-life emotions. Nostalgia as Therapy Nostalgia may be a bittersweet state of mind, but when looked at deeply, its positive aspects outweigh the negative. After all, it’s a filtered recollection of our memories. It is there to trigger -- us feel more human and closer to people around us. It can rekindle relationships and strengthen bonds in newly formed ones. When we feel hopeless, nostalgia can remind us that there’s scope for making good memories in future and helps us to push through the tough times. For people who feel detached from their past selves, nostalgia is a great tool to create a sense of self-continuity and remind them of the factors that haven’t changed in our personalities. Many people might feel that their lives have been for nought, that there were no contributions from their side. Nostalgia can make them realise the value of human interactions and every other beautiful memory they created in the past. -- General, Informative dreams, neurology, Nostalgia Post navigation