What causes déjà vu? Scientists may have the answer

Most of us have had that uncanny feeling of a brand new scenario seeming so acquainted, it appears as if it’s already occurred. 

What precisely is happening right here?

And why can we expertise it — why does it occur?

Right here’s a deep dive into this intriguing phenomenon, with insights from a scientific psychologist. 

What’s déjà vu?

Déjà vu is a French time period that interprets to “already seen” in English. 

“It refers back to the eerie and distinct feeling that one has already skilled the present scenario or occasion, despite the fact that it’s a brand new and unfamiliar prevalence,” mentioned Sanam Hafeez, PsyD, a licensed scientific psychologist, neuropsychologist, and scientific director of Complete Session Psychological Providers (www.comprehendthemind.com) in New York Metropolis. 

Déjà vu is a curious phenomenon, she mentioned.

“It appears like a robust wave of familiarity with the current second as if the individual is re-living a previous expertise,” Dr. Hafeez advised Fox Information Digital.

What’s the explanation for déjà vu?

Though the precise explanation for déjà vu stays considerably enigmatic, a number of theories have been proposed to elucidate it, she mentioned. 

“Some counsel it could be linked to how reminiscences are processed within the mind, doubtlessly involving delays or errors in reminiscence retrievals,” mentioned Dr. Hafeez.

Different theories counsel it would consequence from the mind processing data via a number of pathways concurrently, she mentioned.

One other intriguing concept includes the concept of reminiscences saved in a fancy, interconnected method within the mind, mentioned Dr. Hafeez. 

“Whatever the exact mechanism, déjà vu is a transient and customary expertise that lasts solely briefly, affecting folks of all ages and never thought-about a pathological situation,” she mentioned. 

“Whereas it stays a puzzle, déjà vu continues to be a captivating aspect of human consciousness.”

Who experiences déjà vu?

Some 60% to 70% of individuals in good well being expertise some type of déjà vu throughout their lifetime, in accordance with WebMD. 

“A well-recognized sight or sound can set off the sensation,” the identical supply famous. “You could stroll right into a room in a constructing you’ve by no means visited but really feel like you already know it intimately.”

Apparently, déjà vu is extra more likely to occur to folks between the ages of 15 and 25, in accordance with Well being.com. 

“Folks with extra schooling, those that journey rather a lot, and individuals who can recall their goals are additionally extra more likely to expertise déjà vu,” the identical supply mentioned.

But the frequency of déjà vu experiences can range amongst people and a few folks could have déjà vu occasionally, whereas others may expertise it extra usually, Dr. Hafeez mentioned. 

“It is usually essential to notice that déjà vu isn’t related to any explicit medical or psychological situation. It’s normally a quick and transient expertise and is taken into account a traditional side of human notion and reminiscence,” she added. 

Are there medical implications of experiencing déjà vu?

Déjà vu itself isn’t usually thought-about a medical situation, Dr. Hafeez mentioned.

She mentioned many individuals expertise it sooner or later of their lives — and it’s “not related to a selected medical or psychological dysfunction,” she clarified.

There are, nevertheless, some medical situations and neurological problems wherein déjà vu-like experiences could happen extra ceaselessly or in an altered type. 

These situations, in accordance with Dr. Hafeez, embody the next:

Epilepsy: Déjà vu is typically reported as an aura or a partial seizure symptom in folks with epilepsy. It may be a warning signal {that a} seizure is about to happen.Migraines: Some people with migraines could expertise déjà vu-like sensations as a part of their aura earlier than the onset of a headache.Temporal lobe epilepsy: This particular type of epilepsy is related to abnormalities within the temporal lobes of the mind and might result in frequent and intense déjà vu experiences.Schizophrenia: Déjà vu could often be reported as a symptom of schizophrenia, although it is only one of many attainable signs related to the dysfunction.Anxiousness or stress: Excessive ranges of nervousness or stress can generally result in distortions in notion and a way of unreality, which could embody déjà vu-like emotions.

Dr. Hafeez advised Fox Information Digital that it’s important to grasp that experiencing déjà vu every now and then isn’t an indication of a medical situation. 

“Nonetheless, if somebody experiences frequent or distressing déjà vu episodes, particularly if accompanied by different uncommon signs, it’s advisable to hunt medical analysis to rule out any underlying medical or neurological situations,” she mentioned.

“In such instances, a well being care skilled can conduct a radical evaluation and supply acceptable steerage or remedy if obligatory.”