Everyone has once experienced the feeling of I’ve experienced all this before, a strong feeling or impression that you had been in the same place in the same situation before even though you had never actually been there before in your life. Many call this feeling a delusion or a recognition but the most renowned term used for it is Déjà vu.
If we go by books the specific definition of déjà vu is
"The strange feeling that you have experienced what is happening now before"
Well, there are many unsettling theories on déjà vu about how it is connected to the parallel universe and maybe to the multiverse or to something darker. We question ourselves and we believe the existing theories connect us to other dimensions, connecting us to the future and past. Some people also connect deja vu as a paranormal experience while others connect it to spirituality. It happens very quickly and unexpectedly so for scientists recording the activity of deja vu is quite difficult. Hence we have not received any solid proof of what it could be. Based on the significant number of experiments conducted to study the deja vu.
What is the origin of déjà vu?
Déjà vu has a long history dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. It was a parapsychological subject for scientists as it was published in trade books. During that time, few people started connecting the deja vu spiritually. (1)
In the year 1800-1900, deja vu experiences flowed throughout the world, there were different terms used for the Deja vu, and it was recognized as follows
“Double memory” by Robit (1882) Burnham (1889), Smith( 1913);
“Mental Mirag” by Neumann (1889);
“Phantams of Memory” by Feuchtersleben (1847)
But, the clear definition of deja vu came into existence in the mid of the 20th century.
What is the scientific meaning of Deja vu?
The Deja Vu’s scientific explanation is the delayed neuronal transmission speed. It is simply explained as a phenomenon in which we experience a moment as if it has happened before.
The mechanisms of deja vu are explained well in this blog...
Delayed neuronal transmission:
In more scientific terms this mechanism is known as Single pathway delayed neuronal transmission speed.
Our bodily functions and systems are maintained, and controlled by the brain along with the sensorimotor system. Our brains have billions of neurons. Sensory neurons carry the information from the eyes, nose, ears, and tongue to the brain while motor neurons carry the messages away from the brain to the respective organ to function.
During this process, a momentary change happens in the speed of neuronal transmission in a single pathway which is between an organ and cortical processing region (It is an area of the brain in the cerebral cortex through which sensory neurons terminate and motor neurons originate). (1) The slight delay results in the misinterpretation of the information as if it is old or something you have felt before. This can happen when you inhale a particular smell and it is misinterpreted by the brain hence you feel like you’ve been here before.
Memory glitch
The impression of familiarity without any objective reference, or false memories, is one of the core and possibly most fascinating aspects of the déjà vu experience (Stated by Scientist Brown, 2004). It is conceivable that exact scenarios have already been experienced. (1)
A more likely explanation for these false memories is that a small part of the scenario has been lived before. This mechanism presents theories that only address memory function. It can be explained as someone who must have lived an experience before and that they have completely forgotten, then subconsciously recovered during a déjà vu experience. The feeling of familiarity connected to these small parts can mistakenly be applied to the whole scenario.
Single element familiarity:
The mechanism of single-element familiarity involves that in a current situation a single element is familiar to you but your brain does not recognize the source and the location in your memories. This can be easily understood with an example;
Imagine if you are entering someone's house. You see a vintage artifact that is identical to your countryside family house. You feel a sense of familiarity with the artifact your brain is unable to locate the source in the memory hence due to one element you think you’ve been in that place before.
Organizational element familiarity:
The mechanism is the same as of the single element familiarity but it only involves the arrangement of the element is the same as the one you have experienced before.(1)
For example,
A sofa in the corner, a staircase in an entrance, a swing in the living room, etc.
What is a Spiritual connection to Deja vu?
“Is déjà vu actually the specter of false timelines that never happened but did, casting their shadows upon reality?”
- Blake Crouch, Recursion
They say, Deja Vu is related to the time. As we live in a linear dimension, we are experiencing life here. But there are multiple dimensions through which the same thing is happening as of now. Whatever you think, feel, and imagine exists already in different dimensions. As the energy is neither created nor destroyed, it can only be transferred hence when you manifest or imagine that situation is already created. This means you can experience moments from the past and future.
Deja Vu is mostly psychological. Therefore, out of a hundred only 2 percent of people can have a spiritual deja vu experience.
Is the Deja Vu phenomenon unhealthy?
No, Deja Vu can happen to a healthy brain. According to Moulin, it is a sign that everything is going healthy. (2)
In fact, Deja Vu is an incredibly common experience that happens to almost 97% of the population. When someone does have a déjà vu, it's very possible that they will have more than one at the same time. The majority of déjà vu incidents occur when people are having fun, relaxing, or interacting with friends This does not appear to be directed towards any particular demographic. (1)
But at the same time, experiencing deja vu twice thrice almost every day is not healthy. It happens as your mind is stressed and tired.
To avoid this,
Take plenty of rest.
Sleep properly for 7-8 hours every day.
Reduce the intake of caffeine and brain-stimulating foods.
REFERENCES:
2010, Scientific Theories on the Déjà Vu Phenomenon, Rickard Redgård School of Humanities and Informatics University of Skövde, Sweden
Comments