Some explanations of déjà vu.

Been there – done that? Maybe you haven’t, but sometimes it sure FEELS like you have.

It’s called déjà vu. And even though most people have experienced it, why it happens is still a mystery. But experts have come up with a whole slew of explanations. Here are a few, courtesy of Psychology Today.

First, some researchers think déjà vu occurs when two of the brains cognitive functions are out of sync. For example, our brain might recognize a familiar situation, but fail to remember why it’s familiar. That leads to the “I’ve been here before” feeling. But since we can’t remember the event, we think the experience is new - and chock it up to déjà vu.

Also, some experts think déjà vu is a result of not paying attention. Our brains can take in information more quickly that we can consciously register it. Then, when what’s happening around us finally registers, it feels familiar. Not because we’ve seen it before, but because we’ve already processed it on another level.

And one last déjà tidbit: It’s most common in people between the ages of 15 and 25 – when the brain is still developing.
So besides age – what makes a person more likely to experience déjà vu?

• If you have an active imagination and recall dreams easily.
• If you’re fatigued or stressed out.
• And if you have an above average education level.

These things all indicate a highly stimulated brain.