Your most vivid memories might actually be completely inaccurate

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When momentous events occur, we often experience "flashbulb memories"—vivid, detailed recollections of where we were and what we were doing. However, neuroscientists warn that despite how clear these memories feel, they are surprisingly prone to error and can be rewritten by the act of remembering itself.

Memory is not a single, unified process but a complex operation involving many parts of the brain working simultaneously. One critical region is the hippocampus, which plays a vital role in the formation of memories. Psychologists categorize these memories into two main types: declarative and nondeclarative. Declarative memory, or explicit memory, involves conscious awareness of facts—such as the capital of Portugal—or specific past events, like a childhood birthday. In contrast, nondeclarative memory, or implicit memory, builds up unconsciously and includes procedural memories, which are the physical skills required to perform tasks like riding a bicycle or playing the violin.

While declarative memories are often easier to form, nondeclarative memories tend to stick around more easily. This distinction was famously illustrated by the case of Henry Molaison (H.M.), who in 1953 underwent brain surgery to treat severe seizures. While the procedure helped his seizures, the removal of certain brain parts meant he could no longer form new declarative memories; he required new introductions from staff during every visit. This case helped scientists trace how different types of memory are processed within the brain.

The reliability of memory is a subject of intense study, particularly regarding the malleability of our recollections. Even experts can fall victim to misperceptions. For instance, neuroscientist Karim Nader discovered that his vivid memory of seeing television footage of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, was incorrect, as that footage did not air until the following day. Research involving 569 university students in 2003 revealed that 73 percent held this same misconception, demonstrating that even vivid 'flashbulb memories' can be inaccurate.

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