Picture it, or in this case, hear it… a tune that plays repeatedly in your mind, sometimes for days on end. “Baby shark do do do do do do, Baby Shark”… Or if you grew up in the 90ies how about “Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Macarena. Hey Macarena, ay…”. I’m so sorry to have done that to you.

This phenomenon is known as an “earworm” or “brainworm” as coined by Dr Oliver Sacks in his book Musicophilia. It’s more than just a quirk of the human mind, it's a window into how our brains process and retain music.

Earworms, scientifically termed "involuntary musical imagery," are those persistent musical snippets that repeat in our minds without conscious effort. They can be a chorus, a catchy melody, or even a simple jingle that loops continuously in our thoughts.

According to an article published in the American Psychological Association Journal there are several factors that make a song or tune more likely to become an earworm:

1. Simplicity: Songs with straightforward, easy-to-remember melodies are prime earworm material.
2. Repetition: The more a musical phrase repeats within a song, the more likely it is to stick with us.
3. Speed: A faster tempo can catch our attention and make a tune more memorable.

The Neuroscience Behind the Music

When we experience an earworm, specific areas of our brain activate. These regions are associated with perception, emotion, memory, and spontaneous thought. In essence, an earworm is like an involuntary memory—our brain has hit the replay button without our conscious decision to do so. You read more of the science behind earworms here.

While anyone can experience earworms, certain factors may increase susceptibility:

• Musical training: Musicians and those with musical backgrounds might experience earworms more frequently, possibly due to enhanced auditory and memory skills related to music.
• Personality traits: Individuals with tendencies towards obsessive-compulsive behaviors may be more prone to earworms.

The Double-Edged Sword of Mental Music

Earworms aren't always unwelcome guests in our minds. They can have both positive and negative effects:

Potential Benefits:

• Mood enhancement
• Increased energy
• Improved memory recall for musical information

Possible Drawbacks:

• Disrupted concentration
• Sleep interference
• Frustration, especially with persistent earworms

Breaking Free from the Loop

If an earworm is overstaying its welcome, try these strategies:

1. Engage in an absorbing mental task to redirect your focus.
2. Listen to the entire song; sometimes completion can provide mental closure.
3. Chew gum — some studies suggest this can interfere with the brain processes involved in "hearing" the phantom music.

Earworms demonstrate the profound impact music has on our cognitive processes. They highlight how deeply our brains engage with musical patterns and how intertwined music is with our emotions and memories. The next time a song gets stuck in your head, take a moment to appreciate this unique aspect of human cognition—it's a small reminder of music's universal language and its ability to captivate our minds long after the last note has been played.