Revisiting Childhood: How Body Illusions Trigger Forgotten Memories

This research explores how body illusions can enhance childhood memory recall. By using camera distortions to simulate a childlike visage, participants accessed more detailed past memories. The findings suggest our identities and memories are closely linked to the bodily forms we have experienced throughout our lives.

CAMBRIDGE, Dec 17 (The Conversation) - As the holiday season approaches, those returning to their family homes may find themselves reliving old memories and familiar dynamics. Professor of cognitive neuroscience explores how family interactions can prompt a regression to past selves and spark forgotten memories.

In a recent study, researchers tested whether embodying a child's body could help recall childhood memories. By applying the 'enfacement illusion' with Snapchat filters, participants saw a childlike version of themselves and reported significantly more detailed memories than those who viewed their current faces.

The study illustrates the intricate connection between our bodily experiences and memory, highlighting how the evolving sense of self is deeply intertwined with the bodies we have inhabited over time. It sheds light on the persistent imprints of our past selves within our psyche.

(With inputs from agencies.)