Why you never forget your first proper rave

There was a time when every single one of you attended your first rave. But, no matter how long ago that event was, you can be sure that you have never forgotten it.

There’s something so special about popping your rave cherry that becomes indelibly etched in your memory, despite all the brain cells you’ve lost along the way. But why is it that you never forget your first rave?

IT’S LIKE ENTERING A DIFFERENT WORLD
For many of you, going to a rave for the first time demonstrates that there are other ways of being. The feeling of belonging, finding your people and being somewhere you’re so universally accepted is simply unforgettable.

RAVES ARE INTENSE
Walking into a rave can be like a baptism of fire. The power of the music pumping through a huge soundsystem, strobes, smoke, lasers, the packed dance floor, people off their heads… it’s a lot, and that very experience will stay with you forever.

EMOTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
When you experience something emotionally significant, like your first rave, the memories that you form are more vivid and accurate than neutral events. The amygdala and hippocampus come into play for this, working together to process emotional memories.

STRESS HORMONES
The stress hormones produced when you’re anxious or excited, or a mix of both, are crucial to the formation of strong memories. Hormones like epinephrine and corticosterone help consolidate memories into long-term storage.