Can the human mind "time travel"? Scientists are investigating this rare and fascinating phenomenon.

On the one hand, it must be fascinating to remember everything you have experienced, but on the other hand it can be a bit frustrating, especially in the case of people suffering from hypermnesia, who, in addition to being aware of the memories, experience them just as intensely as the first time.

Scientists call this condition hyperacuity autobiographical memory (HSAM) , or simply hyperthermnesia. As it turns out, people who suffer from this condition, in addition to accurately remembering past events and the emotions that accompany them, are also able to "jump into the future," predicting future events.

"In these people, known as hypermnesiacs, memories are carefully organized by date. Some can describe in detail what they were doing on July 6, 2002, and relive the emotions and sensations of that day," says Valentina La Corte, a neuropsychologist and lead author of the study on this condition, from Paris Cité University, as quoted in ScienceAlert.com.

This teenager can "time travel"

The phenomenon of hypermnesia first appeared in 2006 and was described by scientists from the University of California, California, who studied the case of Jill Price, a woman who persistently suffered from… an exceptional memory. The scientists then discovered the advanced functions of the human brain and began research to better understand and later apply this knowledge. In early August of this year, the journal Neurocase published another study examining the case of a 17-year-old French girl, identified for scientific purposes as TL.

At the age of eight, the teenager noticed that she differed from her peers in her exceptional memory. However, due to the highly unusual "symptoms" she reported, no one took her seriously. Only now, as she was practically entering adulthood, has her case become the subject of research by French scientists.

Neuropsychologist Valentina La Corte of Paris Cité University, along with a team of researchers from the Institut du Cerveau, administered the teenager memory tests: TEMPau (which measures the retrieval of autobiographical memories ) and TEEAM (which assesses the ability to mentally "travel" into the future). The girl had to recall four highly personal events from different periods of her life. TL achieved a score at the highest level of the norm, providing very detailed information about her memories.

Library of memories

As the researchers emphasize, the very way in which the brain "stores memories" is very interesting. TL presented them in a highly organized white room resembling a library, where each memory has its own shelf and a date tag. This makes it much easier to remember the details, facts, and emotions that accompanied specific events.

Although her memory is impressive, as the years go by, the detail begins to fade. Published research shows:

- TL can distinguish between days from the last month, months from the last two years, and in the case of older memories only years.

In addition to her imaginary room for memories, the teenager also has separate "rooms" for special events. She keeps negative memories in a box next to her room, but she also has a separate room for negative emotions or problems, which, thanks to this organization, are much easier to resolve.

Researchers emphasize that it's not only impressive how she can sort and manage her memories, but also how she manages her condition. Other people struggling with hypermnesia have often reported being unable to control the rush of memories that constantly and automatically arise.

When memories become nightmares

Scientists estimate that cases like TL number close to 100. In addition to the aforementioned Jill Price, who truly started it all, researchers cite the cases of Brad Williams, a radio announcer from Wisconsin, and Bob Petrella, a comedian and screenwriter, who has spoken about his condition in interviews, noting that he is able to control it.

Australian Rebecca Sharock, for whom persistent memories are a nightmare, cannot enjoy such "happiness." She even remembers her childhood. This has led to frequent episodes of depression and anxiety, as she struggles to control the flood of memories.

Hypermnesia - brain disorder or exceptional abilities?

Experts consider hypermnesia a new phenomenon that requires further research to better understand it. Detailed analysis of an individual cannot be conclusive, and the "abilities" of TL may differ from those experienced by others with this condition.

At this point , it's unclear exactly what causes hypermnesia. It could be a brain disorder, or perhaps specific personality traits. Experts point to documented cases of this condition, which include individuals who analyze details, pay attention to details, are meticulous, and like to have everything organized or written down, which increases brain activity even more intensely, and activities become learned and structured.

However, as scientists emphasize, thanks to research on such cases, we are discovering more and more facts about how the brain works. This may ultimately be helpful in treating memory-related diseases and in increasing the use of the brain's capabilities for other purposes, not just medical ones.