You probably recognize it: you are in a situation that you are sure you have experienced before. This crazy feeling is called déjà vu, French for ‘seen before’. Curious about what happens in the brain during this situation? Then read on, because we will explain it to you.
Everyone may experience déjà vu in a different way. Some people even experience it so intensely that it feels as if they are experiencing situations from a past life. Now this is (unfortunately) not the case, but what happens?
What happens in the brain?
There are several explanations for déjà vu. According to the first theory, it is a kind of short circuit in the brain. When you observe something, it first ends up in your memory without you being aware of it. Even before you are aware of what you are observing, a memory is already being created. And because this happens very quickly, the moment you do become aware of the situation, it seems as if you have experienced it before.
The second theory assumes an ‘error’ of your brain. The moment you experience déjà vu, your brain makes an incorrect combination between memories and the current situation. In no time, your brain links the new situation to a previously experienced situation that is similar. This causes your brain to conclude that you have observed/experienced the situation before.
So no flashback to the previous life
If you think that déjà vu really comes from the past life, then unfortunately we have to disappoint you. Déjà vu has nothing to do with past lives or previous events. The feeling is (literally) between your ears: it is your brain that gives you this feeling. Although it would have been pretty cool that it was a flashback to your previous life, don’t you think?
Not déjà vu but jamais vu
Fun fact: the opposite of déjà vu is jamais vu. This is where something familiar is experienced as strange or new. Everyday words, objects and familiar places suddenly seem unfamiliar and strange. This feeling is often caused by anxiety, stress or fatigue. But it is sometimes also linked to brain disorders such as epilepsy and migraine.
