By Tasnim Tabassum
Sitting in a place with siblings and reminiscing about old incidents can sometimes trigger a sense of familiarity and make you feel like you’ve been in that exact situation before. This phenomenon is commonly known as déjà vu. Déjà vu refers to the feeling of experiencing a situation or scene and perceiving it as familiar, even though there is uncertainty about the actual experience.
The term “déjà vu” originated from the French language, meaning “already seen.” It is also sometimes referred to as “paramnesia,” derived from the Greek word “promnesia,” which was first used by French psychoanalyst Emile Boirac in his book “L’Avenir des sciences psychiques” while studying at the University of Chicago.
Swiss researcher Arthur Funkhouser categorized déjà vu experiences into two distinct categories to facilitate understanding. The first category involves the feeling of having seen or visited a place before, while the second category involves experiences that have been previously encountered.
Déjà vu is a common experience, and according to a study by psychologist Alan S. Brown from Southern Methodist University in 2003, more than 70% of people worldwide have reported experiencing it at some point in their lives. While déjà vu is a natural occurrence, it is closely connected to psychology. If someone repeatedly experiences déjà vu over an extended period, accompanied by other symptoms such as hallucinations, it may be considered a symptom of a mental or neurological illness.
The most commonly cited cause of déjà vu is a temporary disruption in the normal functioning of the brain’s nervous system. Abnormalities in the neural processes can lead to heightened sensitivity, causing the brain to associate a present event or experience with a past one, resulting in the sensation of déjà vu.
When did we notice first?
Déjà vu can be both intriguing and perplexing. One famous case involving déjà vu is that of Jeanne, a woman from France who claimed to have recurrent episodes of déjà vu throughout her life. Her case gained significant attention in the late 19th century. Jeanne described feeling as though she had already lived through certain moments, even though she knew she hadn’t. Her experiences were accompanied by vivid details and a strong sense of familiarity. What made Jeanne’s case particularly fascinating was her ability to remember specific details of future events that she believed she had already experienced. She accurately predicted conversations, actions, and even trivial occurrences, leaving those around her astounded.
Researchers and scientists were intrigued by Jeanne’s experiences and conducted numerous experiments and psychological evaluations to better understand the phenomenon. Some believed she possessed extraordinary psychic abilities, while others proposed explanations such as an overactive imagination or a neurological condition. Despite extensive studies, no definitive explanation was reached regarding Jeanne’s déjà vu episodes. Skeptics dismissed her claims as mere coincidence or exaggeration, while others speculated that she might have tapped into a different perception of time or alternate realities.
Jeanne’s story serves as a well-known example of the enigmatic nature of déjà vu. While it doesn’t provide conclusive answers about the phenomenon, it continues to spark curiosity and fuel discussions about the mysteries of the human mind and consciousness. Initially, researchers attempted to link déjà vu to various mental disorders like anxiety, panic attacks, and schizophrenia, but no significant evidence of their interdependence or correlation has been found. In a 2008 study, a psychological link to the phenomenon of déjà vu was established, suggesting it as a “pathological dissociative experience.”
Theories behind déjà Vu
Various explanations have been proposed by researchers regarding déjà vu. Over the years, different interpretations have emerged based on research findings. When analyzing these explanations, several factors appear to influence the occurrence of déjà vu, including the effects of dreams, memories, and brain processes. The most widely accepted explanation relates déjà vu to memory. Similar to how a memory can suddenly come to mind or a word can be on the tip of our tongue, déjà vu is considered a subconscious process akin to a waking memory. Psychologist Annie Cleary from Colorado State University has extensively studied déjà vu and suggests that the phenomenon is largely triggered by a sense of familiarity or preconceptions. Individuals experiencing déjà vu may be able to predict future events with relative accuracy based on their subconscious assumptions.
Other scientists have also highlighted the close relationship between the mind and déjà vu. However, Cleary emphasizes the role of preconceptions in this phenomenon, stating that our brain searches for analogies when we cannot consciously recall specific events. This uncertainty leads to the feeling that we have experienced something before or that a similar event has occurred in the past, without providing a definitive answer as to why or where this feeling originates.
One study suggests that temporary stimulation of the outer layer of the brain can be a cause of déjà vu. In support of this, Cleary conducted an experiment involving 298 individuals who played the same computer game in different environments. The results contradicted previously established ideas about déjà vu, leading Cleary to conclude that the experience of déjà vu does not provide insight into the future.
A recent study conducted by Akira O’Connor and their team at a UK university provided intriguing findings. Their research aimed to unravel the enigmatic nature of déjà vu by addressing the issue of false memories associated with the phenomenon. Through a special laboratory process, they claim to have solved the mystery of déjà vu. Akira’s experiment involved volunteers who were exposed to old memories to induce a sense of déjà vu. The research discredited the notion of false memories playing a significant role in déjà vu experiences. Akira stated in their thesis that the relationship between the brain and old memories is like a war with no room for falsehoods. Déjà vu occurs depending on the individual’s recollection.
In addition to these explanations, some individuals compare déjà vu to concepts like life after death or reincarnation, believing that the phenomenon arises from memories of past lives in the present one. However, it is essential to note that such notions lack scientific substantiation.
Tasnim Tabassum is a student, studying Marketing at Jahangirnagar University. She can be reached at: [email protected]