Neuroscience Study Indicates Brains Process Present Events By Accessing Past Experiences

A recently-published neuroscience study indicates that our brains interpret current events by accessing memories of prior happenings. Previous research had shown the replay effect in spatial navigation, but this study indicates that replay also underlies our ability to make sense of narratives. 

People who work with children who have suffered from trauma have long known that children can re-experience the emotions of trauma when they are triggered by seemingly-benign events. Learning how to manage trauma triggers is a key component of developing resilience and moving past trauma. This current study adds scientific support to this belief that children interpret events through the prism of past trauma. It also may be a first step in understanding the neurological mechanics that accompany the phenomenon.

The researchers also found that the brain goes through this process on the fly. In other words, people have little time for logical analysis of their emotions and trauma triggers.

Researchers have much more work to do in this area, but this study adds to our knowledge of how the brain processes events, including trauma. It helps us understand that people who work with children who have suffered trauma need to concentrate on helping those children make sense of their emotions and develop coping strategies that encourage resilience.