THE SCIENCE OF NOSTALGIC REFLECTION
Why looking back helps us move forward.
At Endora, nostalgia isn’t a gimmick—it’s a scientifically backed tool for improving mental health, fostering connection, and sparking creativity. Decades of research have shown that reflecting on meaningful past experiences makes people feel more optimistic, resilient, and connected to others.
What the Research Says
Nostalgic reflection:
Boosts Mood – Revisiting warm, personal memories can reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.
Strengthens Identity – Reflection helps us understand who we are by connecting past, present, and future selves.
Promotes Social Connection – Nostalgic memories often involve loved ones, deepening bonds and empathy.
Fuels Creativity & Vision – By seeing the arc of our story, we’re better able to imagine new possibilities for the future.
These effects aren’t fleeting—when practiced regularly, nostalgic reflection can become a sustainable mental wellness habit.
Why It Works
When we recall cherished memories, the brain releases feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin. This combination not only boosts emotional well-being in the moment but also increases our capacity to plan, dream, and adapt.
Endora’s games and experiences are specifically designed to make these benefits accessible in small, joyful doses—so reflection becomes part of daily life.
Meet our Advisor
We’re proud to be guided by Dr. Clay Routledge, the world’s leading researcher on the psychology of nostalgia.
Dr. Routledge has spent over 20 years studying how nostalgia shapes mental health, resilience, and creativity. He has published over 100 academic papers, authored 3 books, and been featured in outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and The Atlantic.
Clay serves as Vice President of Research and Director of the Human Flourishing Lab at Archbridge Institute and is co-editor of Profectus, a magazine on human progress and flourishing.
With Dr. Routledge’s expertise, Endora builds every feature with an evidence-based approach, ensuring our technology truly works with the brain—not against it.
Learn more about Dr. Routledge’s work here.
Our Commitment
The science is clear: nostalgic reflection isn’t just pleasant—it’s powerful. And in a distracted, fast-moving world, we believe it’s more important than ever to make space for it.
At Endora, we’re not just creating games. We’re building a movement that uses nostalgia to heal, connect, and inspire.
Take a deeper dive into the research below:
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Watch: Ted-Ed. Why do we feel nostalgia?
Nostalgia, once seen as a weakness, actually anchors us—it balances sadness with comfort and grounds hope in our past, helping us move forward with more meaning.
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Watch: Nostalgia is good for you. Here’s why.
Instead of numbing us like endless scrolling, nostalgia grounds us—building resilience, fueling creativity, and pointing us toward a future worth believing in.
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Read: The Human Flourishing Lab’s Report on Nostalgia in America
By revealing how strongly nostalgia fuels resilience and meaning, the data makes clear: if we want a healthier, more optimistic society, we can’t afford to overlook its power.