Locations:
SearchAdvertisement
The short answer from a clinical psychologist
A: You’re not alone. According to experts, 98% of us get stuck on a song, known as an earworm.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Certain people are more prone to earworms. Those with obsessive-compulsive disorder or who have obsessive thinking styles experience this phenomenon more often. Musicians also frequently get earworms. Men and women have earworms equally, although women tend to stay with the song longer and find it more irritating.
Recent research suggests that songs with intervals that jump up and down are more likely to get stuck in your head. For example, the whistling part of Maroon 5’s Moves like Jagger.
More study is needed to determine exactly what’s happening in your brain when earworms take hold, but repetition often is related to stress. Anything repeated probably has some tension-reducing characteristic, capturing your attention so you’re not attending to other things you find unpleasant.
If you can’t get unstuck? Do a brain teaser puzzle or read a novel. Chewing gum or listening to the entire song (not just the catchy part) may also break the loop.
— Clinical psychologist Scott Bea, PsyD
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Some doubt is natural in a relationship — too much may be a mental health concern
One may drive the other, but they’re not the same
This is an eating pattern that doesn’t meet the criteria for an eating disorder but can still be harmful
Appetite changes, social isolation, repetitive behaviors and more may indicate that your child is struggling
Being short on fluid causes hormonal imbalances, brain fog, sleep issues and more
Intention setting starts with identifying what’s truly important to you and then focusing daily on ways you can embody your core values
Encourage your child to ignore the bully, seek help from an authority figure and stay with a trusted group of friends
When done in excess, watching TV can disrupt your sleep and lead to physical inactivity and social isolation
If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help
If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style
If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods
