Harmonizing the past: EEG-based brain network unveil modality-specific mechanisms of nostalgia
IntroductionNostalgia is a complex emotional experience involving fond memories of the past and mild sadness, characterized by positive emotions associated with reflecting on previous events. It can awaken emotional memories of loved ones or significant events, contributing to an increase in positiv...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1517449/full |
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| author | Hu Shuxiang Hu Shuxiang Liu Ying Liu Ying Yue Qizong Yue Qizong Zhao Huan Zhao Huan Zheng Maoping Zheng Maoping |
| author_facet | Hu Shuxiang Hu Shuxiang Liu Ying Liu Ying Yue Qizong Yue Qizong Zhao Huan Zhao Huan Zheng Maoping Zheng Maoping |
| author_sort | Hu Shuxiang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionNostalgia is a complex emotional experience involving fond memories of the past and mild sadness, characterized by positive emotions associated with reflecting on previous events. It can awaken emotional memories of loved ones or significant events, contributing to an increase in positive emotions. An unresolved question regarding nostalgia is whether different channels of nostalgia input exhibit distinct mechanisms.MethodsThis study examined the emotional and neural effects of nostalgia using various sensory channels through behavioral experiments and electroencephalography (EEG) measurements conducted with college students in China. Participants' emotions were elicited using nostalgic and non-nostalgic stimuli presented through three different sensory channels: auditory (sound only), visual (e.g., still images or synchronized lyrics related to music), and audiovisual (a combination of sound and visual elements, such as music videos).ResultsThe results demonstrated that nostalgic stimuli elicited significantly higher levels of emotional arousal, pleasure, nostalgia, and dominance compared to non-nostalgic stimuli. At the neural level, nostalgic stimuli enhanced the connection strength, global and local efficiency, and diminished eigenpath length of brain networks in the alpha and gamma bands. Additionally, nostalgia through the auditory channel induced higher activity intensity in the theta and gamma bands and increased brainwave amplitudes in the alpha bands. The audiovisual channel was capable of triggering stronger alpha-wave responses than the visual channel alone.DiscussionThese findings suggest that nostalgia effectively triggers positive emotional states and enhances cognitive processing. The audiovisual channel, in particular, showed advantages in eliciting alpha-wave responses. Further research is needed to explore the potential of nostalgia as an adjunctive therapeutic tool. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7b48922f3ece4cd78905ba9aa3bb5aae |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7b48922f3ece4cd78905ba9aa3bb5aae2025-01-22T07:12:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-01-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15174491517449Harmonizing the past: EEG-based brain network unveil modality-specific mechanisms of nostalgiaHu Shuxiang0Hu Shuxiang1Liu Ying2Liu Ying3Yue Qizong4Yue Qizong5Zhao Huan6Zhao Huan7Zheng Maoping8Zheng Maoping9School of Music, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, China Music Mental Health Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, China Music Mental Health Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, China Music Mental Health Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, China Music Mental Health Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaSchool of Music, China Music Mental Health Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaIntroductionNostalgia is a complex emotional experience involving fond memories of the past and mild sadness, characterized by positive emotions associated with reflecting on previous events. It can awaken emotional memories of loved ones or significant events, contributing to an increase in positive emotions. An unresolved question regarding nostalgia is whether different channels of nostalgia input exhibit distinct mechanisms.MethodsThis study examined the emotional and neural effects of nostalgia using various sensory channels through behavioral experiments and electroencephalography (EEG) measurements conducted with college students in China. Participants' emotions were elicited using nostalgic and non-nostalgic stimuli presented through three different sensory channels: auditory (sound only), visual (e.g., still images or synchronized lyrics related to music), and audiovisual (a combination of sound and visual elements, such as music videos).ResultsThe results demonstrated that nostalgic stimuli elicited significantly higher levels of emotional arousal, pleasure, nostalgia, and dominance compared to non-nostalgic stimuli. At the neural level, nostalgic stimuli enhanced the connection strength, global and local efficiency, and diminished eigenpath length of brain networks in the alpha and gamma bands. Additionally, nostalgia through the auditory channel induced higher activity intensity in the theta and gamma bands and increased brainwave amplitudes in the alpha bands. The audiovisual channel was capable of triggering stronger alpha-wave responses than the visual channel alone.DiscussionThese findings suggest that nostalgia effectively triggers positive emotional states and enhances cognitive processing. The audiovisual channel, in particular, showed advantages in eliciting alpha-wave responses. Further research is needed to explore the potential of nostalgia as an adjunctive therapeutic tool.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1517449/fullnostalgiaaudiovisual channelemotional interventionbrain networknostalgic music |
| spellingShingle | Hu Shuxiang Hu Shuxiang Liu Ying Liu Ying Yue Qizong Yue Qizong Zhao Huan Zhao Huan Zheng Maoping Zheng Maoping Harmonizing the past: EEG-based brain network unveil modality-specific mechanisms of nostalgia Frontiers in Psychology nostalgia audiovisual channel emotional intervention brain network nostalgic music |
| title | Harmonizing the past: EEG-based brain network unveil modality-specific mechanisms of nostalgia |
| title_full | Harmonizing the past: EEG-based brain network unveil modality-specific mechanisms of nostalgia |
| title_fullStr | Harmonizing the past: EEG-based brain network unveil modality-specific mechanisms of nostalgia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harmonizing the past: EEG-based brain network unveil modality-specific mechanisms of nostalgia |
| title_short | Harmonizing the past: EEG-based brain network unveil modality-specific mechanisms of nostalgia |
| title_sort | harmonizing the past eeg based brain network unveil modality specific mechanisms of nostalgia |
| topic | nostalgia audiovisual channel emotional intervention brain network nostalgic music |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1517449/full |
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