Have you ever walked into a location and thought it felt strange because you had already been there? Perhaps you even heard a person talk and thought “I have heard this before.” But you had no recollection when or how. This peculiar fleeting feeling is called déjà vu.
Déjà vu is a French phrase which means “already seen.” Many experience this at least once in their lifespan. Some feel it more often. Others only ever feel it once or twice. But none of us will ever know why. In this blog, we will look at how it is associated with human psychology and why we find it.
Read more: Observe Your Mind, Transform Your Reality
How Does Memory Work?
To understand déjà vu we must look at the construct of memory. Our brains store experiences much like files are stored on a computer. Memory can be divided into two parts: short-term and long-term. Short-term memory is a temporary storage; it remembers things for a brief time period and long-term memory holds memories for a longer time.
With each new experience, a decision is made by the brain about where to store this experience. If the experience is felt to be significant it is placed in long-term memory. If not, it may slip away entirely.
Occasionally there can be mixed signals in the brain. A new experience may accidentally land in long-term memory and because of that, it then feels like it has occurred before. This is a potential explanation for déjà vu.
The Role of the Brain in Déjà Vu
Many scientists believe the brain is responsible for this phenomenon. The temporal lobe is the part of the brain that helps form memory, particularly the hippocampus. If anything goes wrong in the temporal lobe, confusion can arise. Some experts believe that déjà vu occurs when the brain processes the same input twice. One process is delayed. When the second one arrives, it feels familiar. The familiarity is only because it was just recently processed. Other experts believe that déjà vu may happen because of a brief misfiring. The brain may store the new experience as a legitimate memory before the (new experience) is fully processed.
Could It Be a Glitch?
Many scientists refer to déjà vu as a “glitch in the brain’s matrix.” Not the real matrix, of course. Just a little slip-up during memory processing. Think of it as follows. Say you take a picture. But, before you click the button, your camera saves it. Then as soon as you press the button, it appears you have already taken that picture. The moment feels strange. But, it’s just a mistake. Similar to how your brain momentarily sends a signal too soon. That tiny error is what makes us feel like we have seen “this before”.
What About Dreams?
And then, this is one more idea. Some people think that déjà vu is from dreams. Perhaps you dream about something, and later you see it in reality. It feels somewhat familiar. You don’t recall the dream in detail. But, that feeling is there. This may even explain the unique and deep feeling of déjà vu because it connects your waking life to a secret dream life. Again it is only a theory, there is nothing conclusive yet. But it gives us more to think about.
Déjà vu and Human Psychology
Next, let’s examine déjà vu from a psychological standpoint. Human minds are always searching for patterns. We want to find meaning, even when it does not exist.
So, when we encounter the sensation of déjà vu, we attempt to explain it. Our brain could be reaching into previous memories, even those we may not remember, or trying to fit that moment into an existing moment. In addition, people who are tired, stressed, or anxious might remember déjà vu more often, as their brains are working extra hard, and occasionally err.
Is it connected to something paranormal?
Of course, not everyone believes déjà vu is simply an aberration of the brain. Some believe it is a connection to past lives. Others believe it is a sign from the universe. Some believe it indicates alternate realities or time loops. Though science can generally disprove that idea, it is culturally accepted; many films and books employ déjà vu as a way of conveying a deeper truth. It makes for a wonderful thought process. What if there’s more?
Whether or not those ideas can be proven, they only tell us how curious human beings are. Humans are always searching for meaning. We crave answers, even unsettling feelings.
Déjà Vu in Science Fiction
Déjà vu in science fiction usually means you have been in a similar situation before… whether in another time or universe. Such as time travel, or a multiverse. Perhaps your “other self” already experienced the moment. Though this seems appealing, there is no scientific evidence for these claims. However, they are great stories. And in some sense, they illustrate how perplexing déjà vu is. It connects the brain to memory, and even to imagination.
Does Everyone Experience Déjà Vu?
Yes, most people do. It tends to be more prevalent in young adults. Some research suggests that more education or imagination leads to more déjà vu. Maybe it decreases with age.
People who experience certain brain conditions – epilepsy, for example – report experiencing déjà vu definitively more often than the general population. For that population of individuals, it may function as an aura or a signal of an impending seizure. There is a reason why doctors study an experience like déjà vu very closely. But for the vast majority of humans, déjà vu is harmless – just a funny mental glitch.
What can we learn from this?
Déjà vu illustrates the complexity of the mind. There are still countless things we don’t understand, even with all that we know. It also highlights how our memory can deceive us. On top of this, it teaches us to pay attention to our surroundings. The next time it happens, pause. Take notice of what’s going on around you. Maybe you learn something about yourself.
In Closing
So, is déjà vu a malfunction, or just reality? Most scientists would agree that it’s a brain problem. A harmless and interesting glitch in the way we process experiences. And yet we can’t help but speculate. Hence, maybe it’s more than that. Maybe it suggests something more. Maybe it connects us to our dreams and memories or something else altogether. Regardless of what it is, déjà vu has us thinking. It reminds us that even the most mundane moments, can feel special. So the next time it happens, don’t be afraid – enjoy the mystery.
