Why Does Time Pass More Quickly in Old Age? The Medical Explanation

Many of us notice that, as the years go by, time seems to pass ever more quickly. This is not merely a nostalgic impression, but a phenomenon explained by the way the brain functions, according to the programme "Realitatea medicală", presented by Nicole Păcuraru.

According to the explanations given in the programme, the perception of time is closely linked to the way the brain records the experiences we live through. When we encounter new things, the brain retains more details, and this causes time to be perceived as more "full" and longer.

By contrast, when life becomes dominated by routine, the perception of time contracts: days begin to resemble one another, and the brain stores fewer reference points to mark the passage of time.

This is why childhood, filled with new experiences, seems to have lasted a very long time, whilst adult years, frequently defined by routine, give the impression of passing far more quickly.

The programme concludes that the solution lies not in slowing down time itself, but in varying our day-to-day experiences. As it highlights, it is not time that changes, but the way in which we live it.