Skip to main content
Back to Show
NOVA

How to Slow Down Time

Under the right circumstances, your brain can trick you into experiencing some time intervals as longer than others. But under other circumstances, time itself really does slow down. The two phenomena—psychological and physical—are more similar than you might think.

Support Provided By
Season
Beyond the Elements: Reactions
53:31
Discover the fascinating chemistry that makes our world and everything in it—including us.
Can We Cool the Planet?
53:31
Scientists look to geoengineering and other methods to cool the planet.
Nature's Fear Factor
53:21
Can bringing predators—and fear—back into an ecosystem help restore its natural balance?
Cat Tales
53:21
Goddess, demon, house pet? What does science say about the human relationship with cats?
Polar Extremes
1:52:46
Paleontologist Kirk Johnson explores the dynamic history—and future—of ice at the poles.
Decoding da Vinci
53:30
Discover the science behind Leonardo da Vinci's masterpieces—and Mona Lisa's iconic smile.
Rise of the Mammals
53:15
Amazing fossils reveal how mammals took over after an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs.
The Next Pompeii
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:22
In the shadow of Vesuvius and Pompeii, a lesser-known volcano puts Naples at risk.
Decoding the Great Pyramid
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:23
New archeological evidence shows the stunning engineering of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Einstein's Quantum Riddle
53:51
Join scientists as they grab light from across the universe to prove quantum entanglement.
Pluto and Beyond
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:30
The New Horizons spacecraft zooms toward an object 4 billion miles from Earth.
Operation Bridge Rescue
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:21
Follow engineers and woodworkers as they rebuild an iconic American covered bridge.
Active loading indicator