The Mandela Effect: What happens when false memories become real

Memory is often hazy, inconsistent and suggestible. But what happens when lots of people misremember the exact same thing?
The Mandela Effect: What happens when false memories become real

Psychologists and researchers conclude that the Mandela Effect is similar in feeling and brain activity to deja vu or the distortion of memory.

Memory is an incredible thing. It is triggered by the oddest things; a faint smell, a song, or that one time when you wore the red jumper. Our memory can be extremely accurate, vivid, and yet also somewhat unreliable and suggestible. We trust our memory, for the most part, but most of us know that we should know better than to fully rely on it too. Memories fade, obscure, and can get us into slight trouble if we misremember, especially those important dates and milestones such as a Crystal Wedding Anniversary.

So, what does it mean when I remember something, and you remember the same thing, and the whole class vibes with that same memory, and yet every single one of us is wrong about how we remember that same something?

Already a subscriber? Sign in

You have reached your article limit.

Unlimited access. Half the price.

Annual €120 €60

Best value

Monthly €10€5 / month

More in this section

Lifestyle

Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited