How a former medical illness became a source of modern joy

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Once dismissed as a physical disease, nostalgia is now a universal experience. This video explores how our understanding of this bittersweet emotion has transformed since the late 17th century and examines whether it is actually beneficial for us.

Clay Routledge explores the evolution of nostalgia from a perceived illness to a widespread phenomenon that people globally report experiencing and enjoying. The discussion traces the concept's history back to the late 17th century when the term was first coined, investigating the mechanisms behind this complex emotion and its impact on our well-being.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Nostalgia was once diagnosed as a disease that could kill homesick soldiers
• The words we use to describe our feelings actually shape them
• Is melancholy a burden to be cured or a tool to be used?
• Before insurance and hospitals, how did humans first treat illness?
• Your memories are not fixed recordings but fluid stories that change every time you remember.
• Why do we laugh, and what does it reveal about our subconscious minds?
• From Mesopotamian kings to modern science: why do we dream?
• Why do we move our hands when we speak, even when no one watches?
• Your eyes are constantly producing tears, but not all of them serve the same purpose.
• Why do we swear and what does it reveal about human communication?
• Why your brain thinks $29.99 is significantly cheaper than $30.00
• The Linguistic Purpose Behind Our Most Taboo Words

More in Psychology · More in Ideas & Philosophy · Latest · A–Z · All topics