The Science of Déjà Vu: Why Your Brain Creates False Memories

09/12/2025 30 min

Listen "The Science of Déjà Vu: Why Your Brain Creates False Memories"

Episode Synopsis

Ever felt like you've lived a moment before, even though you know it's brand new? That eerie sensation is déjà vu—and it's more than just a mental glitch.In this episode, we unpack the neuroscience behind why your brain creates false familiarity. We explore three leading theories: the Dual Processing Theory (a timing lag in your brain), the Hologram Theory (partial memory pattern matching), and the Temporal Lobe Hypothesis (tiny electrical misfires in memory centers).We also dive into jamais vu—the opposite experience where familiar things suddenly feel foreign—and reveal who's most likely to experience these cognitive quirks. Plus, we examine what déjà vu tells us about how our brains construct reality and perceive time itself.If you've ever questioned whether your memories are as reliable as they feel, this episode will change how you think about your mind.