Hi there! Thanks for your post! Yes, that’s what is known as an earworm, and it can be irritating. It sounds like what you’re experiencing may be related to the anterior cingulate gyrus, known as the “gear-shifter” in our brain. When we struggle to move on from thoughts or behaviors, this part of the brain is often involved.

We can encourage our brain to “let go” and become more flexible with thoughts by varying routines in our lives, including choosing a variety of foods, changing up exercise routines, even taking a new route home from work or other activities to encourage more cognitive flexibility. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is also useful for “stuck” thoughts and behavior. A diet rich in NAC and l-tryptophan, the precursor to serotonin and melatonin, can also be helpful. NAC and L-tryptophan can be found in animal proteins such as eggs, turkey, salmon, and chicken, as well as plant sources such as spinach and nuts/seeds. 

So consider increasing variety in many different ways (nutrition, exercise, socializing, activities, types of books you read, etc.) and see if this helps with the earworm, and other areas in which you might get “stuck”.

Best! 

Zoe