How Novelty and Dopamine Can Stretch Your Perception of Time

A simple change in routine could make life feel longer. New research suggests that trying fresh, engaging activities alters how we remember time passing. The idea first gained attention after a Time magazine article proposed that novel experiences stretch our perception of time.

The findings now have scientific backing. Cognitive neuroscientist David Clewett, PhD, discovered that dopamine—a brain chemical linked to reward and attention—plays a key role in shaping these time distortions. The theory began with a personal experiment. Earlier this year, one researcher and her husband decided to try one new activity each week. Their goal was to test whether novelty could make life feel richer in retrospect.

Studies soon confirmed the effect. When participants engaged in stimulating events, their brains released dopamine. This chemical helps break experiences into distinct memories, making the past seem more detailed. In tests, those with higher dopamine activity in the VTA—a brain region tied to reward—reported that time felt more stretched.

Blinking also played a part. People who blinked more during new events later remembered them as lasting longer. Even the act of wanting a moment to linger could expand its perceived duration in real time.

Not everyone processes time this way. Conditions like PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, or ageing can disrupt how the brain segments events. For most, though, dopamine acts as a marker, flagging moments worth remembering—whether they’re important, novel, or simply rewarding. The research offers a practical takeaway: filling life with fresh experiences may slow down our sense of time. Dopamine’s role in memory and attention helps explain why new activities leave a stronger imprint. For those seeking a fuller past, the solution could be as simple as stepping outside routine.