The author recounts their experience with lupus cerebritis, a severe brain inflammation caused by lupus, which resulted in memory loss, confusion, and a distorted perception of time. As a musician, they particularly mourned their loss of the ability to comprehend time. The author explains that the brain’s perception of time is abstract and relies on a combination of external and internal input. They also discuss recent research into the brain’s measurement of time, including the role of episodic memories. The author underwent a challenging recovery process, during which they used a metronome to aid in rebuilding their sense of timing. Although their memory is not as sharp as it once was, they are grateful to be able to think like a musician again.
https://www.salon.com/2023/11/05/a-brain-injury-removed-my-ability-to-perceive-time-heres-what-its-like-in-a-world-without-it/