Did You Know...?

Neurologists now say that because of the way our brains work we never experience the same thing twice – or at least not exactly.

Our experience of the world obviously needs to have a degree of repetitiveness to it unless life would have no sense of continuity and we would not be able to function effectively.

But the fluidity of the way in which the brain operates means that no two experiences are ever exactly alike, even though they may closely resemble one another. New influences are always subtly modifying our ideas and understanding.

The brain is made up of millions of neurons which by making connections with one another form the patterns which create our memories, ideas, thoughts and feelings. These patterns are always breaking up and reforming, hence our experience of the way memories and feelings fade.

Our brain changes in response to new stimuli moment by moment. Although certain groups of neurons will link up again to bring back the same thought or feeling, no two patterns are ever identical.

This is perhaps a scary thought. If our brain patterns are always changing then how do we hold on to our sense of identity and to the thoughts and feelings that allow us to form lasting relationships?

On the other hand it makes the possibility of personal change much more real. Our experience of life is not actually one of constant change. Often we feel stuck and unable to change certain feelings and behaviours. Personality is regarded as fixed and people resign themselves to living with their old limitations. The insights of science can help to show this does not have to be the case.