• Question: Do you know why we have de ja vu, and how it works?

    Asked by bunsenburner01 to Paula, Nathalie, Laura on 21 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Nathalie Pettorelli

      Nathalie Pettorelli answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      Hi Bunsenburner01,

      Un deja vu refers to the experience of feeling sure that one has witnessed or experienced a new situation previously, although the exact circumstances of the previous encounter are uncertain. A lot of research has been devoted to trying to understand why we have deja vu – the most likely explanation of this phenomenon seems to be deja vu being linked to an anomaly of our memory, giving the impression that an experience is “being recalled” (basically, some kind of mixed up between short-term and long term memory pathways). Hope that helps 😉

    • Photo: Paula Salgado

      Paula Salgado answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      I have to admit I don’t know and I think it’s an open question for neuroscience and psychology…

      From what I understand, the best explanation is that it has to do with an anomaly in the way the brain accesses memories, which gives you the impression that you recalling a previous experience.
      It can also have to do with a previous similar experience, that you just remember as identical with what you’re leaving at the moment.

      In any case, it seems to be related to memory processes in our brain and those are still far from being completely understood…

      Sorry for not being able to give a more detailed explanation! Have you ever had that “deja vu” feeling?

    • Photo: Laura Dixon

      Laura Dixon answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      The most likely explanation is that it is an anomaly of memory, giving the impression that an experience is “being recalled”. Possibly resulting from an overlap between the brain systems responsible for short-term memory (events which are perceived as being in the present) and those responsible for long-term memory (events which are perceived as being in the past). The events would be stored into memory before the conscious part of the brain even receives the information and processes it.

Comments

  • Photo: mariamk

    mariamk commented on :

    I have had that de ja vu feelings so many times and truly i think its because our brain has alot of memories and some which we dont even know about so in certain times when those memories come in reality you feel that you have lived this moment already im sorry i just know this from a experience

    • Photo: Nathalie

      Nathalie commented on :

      Hi mariamk,

      No apologies needed here – researchers are still trying to answer that question properly! If you are interested in the subject, I’ve just seen some really good books about the brain and its functioning. Have a look on the new releases in your book shop 😉

  • Photo: bunsenburner01

    bunsenburner01 commented on :

    I always ahve de ja vu and for the first time the other dya i thought ahead and i knew what was going to happen (but its impossible) but it happened and i was right :S