That Strange Feeling of Déjà Vu — Explained

You Should Know: Most of us have felt it: that weird, spooky “I swear I’ve been in this exact moment before” experience of déjà vu. It can feel freaky, but it usually only lasts for a few seconds. We might chalk it up to one of life’s mysteries or a glitch in the matrix, but there is an explanation for why and how it happens.

Going Deeper: The term “déjà vu” translates to “already seen” in French. Scientists think déjà vu happens from a moment of miscommunication between the brain’s hippocampus, which processes new information, and the temporal lobe, which forms and stores memories. This can cause the brain to falsely register a new situation as a memory, especially if it happens in a familiar place.

Takeaway: People with certain neurological conditions, including anxiety and schizophrenia, can experience déjà vu more often. It’s more likely to happen when we’re stressed or tired, and it’s more common in people who are highly educated, travel a lot, and often remember their dreams (though it’s not clear why). 

Bottom Line: Déjà vu feels unsettling, but it’s incredibly common (97% of people have experienced it) and rarely means something is wrong with our brain.