This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Déjà vu (from the French déjà vu, meaning "already seen") is a psychological phenomenon where a person feels they have already experienced a certain situation or event, even though it is happening for the first time. This experience can be very intense and vivid, causing a strong sense of familiarity in the person.
Characteristics of the phenomenon:
- The feeling of déjà vu usually occurs suddenly and lasts only a few seconds.
- The sensation can be so intense that the person is convinced they have already experienced this moment.
- Despite the strong sense of familiarity, the person usually cannot accurately determine when and where they have seen or felt this situation before.
Researchers propose several theories that may explain the phenomenon of déjà vu.
Neurological theories:
- Déjà vu may result from a brief glitch in the brain's processing of information, where new information travels through the same neural pathways as familiar memories.
- The brain may process information simultaneously through two pathways. If one pathway is slightly delayed, the feeling of familiarity may arise because the information is processed twice.
Psychological theories:
- Déjà vu may occur when a new situation resembles an event or place that the person has already seen or experienced in the past but does not remember.
- Some scientists believe that déjà vu may result from the person having seen a similar situation in a dream and not remembering it, but the brain associates the new event with that dream.
Memory theories:
- The phenomenon of déjà vu may be related to the brain storing fragments of previous memories that are activated in similar situations.
Most people (up to 70%) have experienced déjà vu at least once in their lives. The phenomenon is more common in young people (aged 15 to 25) and becomes rarer with age.
Déjà vu is normal and does not indicate any pathological conditions, although in rare cases, frequent déjà vu may be associated with certain neurological disorders, such as epilepsy.
The phenomenon of déjà vu is widely reflected in culture, literature, and cinema. It is often used as a metaphor to explore themes of memory, time, and reality. For example, in the film "The Matrix," déjà vu serves as a sign of a glitch in the virtual reality program.
Déjà vu is an interesting and fairly common phenomenon that attracts the attention of both scientists and ordinary people. Although its exact mechanisms remain largely unclear, numerous theories offer possible explanations for this mysterious sensation. Regardless of its origin, déjà vu adds a touch of magic and intrigue to our lives, prompting us to ponder the nature of memory and perception.
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