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Have you ever noticed how time seems to crawl when you’re bored or in pain but flies by when you’re engrossed in a captivating activity? While these subtle variations in time perception are common, there exists a more profound phenomenon known as time expansion experiences (Tees). In these rare moments, mere seconds seem to stretch into minutes, providing a radically altered sense of time.
Why Time Perception Changes
Researchers believe our perception of time is intricately linked to how much information our minds process. New environments, for instance, stretch time because of their unfamiliarity. This is why a week in a foreign country often feels much longer than a week at home. Conversely, states of deep absorption—like playing music, painting, or dancing—seem to contract time, as our focused attention quiets the mind.
Boredom, on the other hand, has the opposite effect, flooding our unfocused minds with a cascade of thoughts, making time drag. This theory helps explain mild variations in time perception but falls short of accounting for the dramatic shifts seen in time expansion experiences.
The Phenomenon of Time Expansion Experiences
Time expansion experiences often occur in high-stakes situations such as car crashes, falls, or physical attacks. In these moments, individuals report time slowing to an extraordinary degree, enabling them to process complex thoughts and actions.
For instance, one woman recounted how, during a near accident, time seemed to slow, allowing her to take evasive action to avoid a falling metal barrier. Similarly, athletes frequently describe experiencing Tees during intense competition. A hockey player once recalled an eight-second play feeling like it lasted ten minutes, giving him ample time to strategize and act.
Interestingly, Tees aren’t confined to emergencies. They can also arise in peaceful moments, such as deep meditation or while immersed in nature. Some of the most extreme examples are linked to psychedelic substances like LSD, where individuals report an intense stretching of time. One man described observing a stopwatch on LSD, where “hundredths of a second moved as slowly as normal seconds.”
Exploring Theories Behind Tees
The exact cause of time expansion experiences remains elusive. Early theories suggested a surge of noradrenaline—a hormone linked to the “fight or flight” response—might explain the phenomenon. While this might account for the clarity and heightened perception in emergencies, it doesn’t align with the calm, almost serene state many report during Tees, particularly in non-emergency scenarios like meditation.
Another theory posits that Tees are simply illusions of memory. In this view, heightened awareness during an emergency results in a surplus of detailed memories. When recalled, these memories create the illusion of time dilation. However, this explanation fails to address instances where people actively feel they have extra time to think and act in the present moment.
The Role of Altered States of Consciousness
A more compelling explanation links Tees to altered states of consciousness. Emergencies, intense focus in sports, or even the use of psychedelics disrupt normal psychological processes, leading to a shift in awareness.
These states often blur the boundaries between the self and the external world, as noted by psychologist Marc Wittmann. Our usual sense of time is closely tied to our sense of self, which positions us as distinct entities moving through a linear timeline. When this sense of separation dissolves, as in altered states, time seems to expand.
For example, during intense concentration or meditation, the mind achieves “super-absorption,” which paradoxically causes time to slow dramatically. These experiences, where the usual constraints of time and self dissolve, open the door to what some describe as an entirely different “time-world.”
A Window into Human Consciousness
Time expansion experiences challenge our understanding of time and consciousness. Whether they occur in moments of danger, serene stillness, or psychedelic exploration, they reveal the malleable nature of time in human perception.
While the exact mechanisms remain under investigation, one thing is clear: these extraordinary moments provide profound insight into the mysteries of human awareness, offering a glimpse into an altered reality where time, as we know it, bends and stretches.
This article is based on research and insights from the author’s book on altered states of consciousness and time perception.
