Staring into space during a meeting is often interpreted as a sign of boredom. But recent US research suggests that getting lost in our thoughts may stimulate the creation of new neural networks in our brains, which could enable us to better absorb information.
The authors of this research, published in the journal Nature, came to this conclusion after conducting an experiment involving mice. They monitored and analysed the brain activity of the rodents as they repeatedly looked at two checkerboard images displayed on a screen, which turned grey for a minute between each visual.
The researchers found that the mice’s neurons emitted a specific electrical signal when they looked at each of the two images. These signals were specific enough for the scientists to differentiate between the two visuals.
This enabled them to discover that, when the rodents stared at the grey screen, their neural activity was similar, but not identical, to that recorded when they looked at one of the two images. In other words, they seemed to be “daydreaming” about the visual.
These daydreams occurred only when the mice were relaxed, and more so at the start of the day than in the evening, when the rodents had seen the images dozens of times. The academics noted that these moments of mental evasion appeared to play an important role in the mice’s memorisation of each of the two visuals.
“When you see two different images many times, it becomes important to discriminate between them. Our findings suggest that daydreaming may guide this process by steering the neural patterns associated with the two images away from each other,” study co-author Nghia Nguyen told the Harvard Gazette.
Interestingly, the mice were more able to differentiate between the two checkerboard images when their minds were allowed to wander, leading Nguyen and colleagues to suggest that daydreaming has an impact on brain plasticity. More scientific research is needed, however, to prove this causal relationship with any certainty.
In any case, the experts believe it’s important to take mental breaks from time to time. “If you never give yourself any awake downtime, you’re not going to have as many of these daydream events, which may be important for brain plasticity,” senior author Mark Andermann concluded.
All the more reason not to feel guilty the next time you find yourself daydreaming during a meeting!
