A groundbreaking study published October 9, 2025, reveals that manipulating the sense of body ownership can significantly enhance memory recall, offering potential new avenues for treating memory disorders and understanding how the brain constructs personal history. Researchers have discovered a link between artificially creating the sensation of having a different body and improved access to autobiographical memories.
the findings, which could impact millions affected by age-related memory decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder, demonstrate that the brain doesn’t necessarily tie memories to a fixed sense of self. By temporarily altering this self-perception, scientists were able to unlock previously inaccessible recollections. Further research will focus on refining the technique and exploring its long-term effects, with clinical trials anticipated within the next three years.
The research team induced a “body illusion” using virtual reality technology, where participants experienced a computer-generated body as their own. Simultaneously, researchers prompted participants to recall specific past events. Results showed a marked improvement in the detail and emotional intensity of memories recalled during the illusion compared to control conditions.
“We found that when people felt a sense of ownership over a different body, it seemed to unlock memories that were otherwise difficult to access,” explained a lead researcher involved in the study. “This suggests that our sense of self is more fluid than we previously thought, and that manipulating this sense can have a powerful effect on memory.”
The study’s implications extend beyond clinical applications. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying this phenomenon could also shed light on the essential processes of self-awareness and the construction of personal identity. The research was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Citation: Body illusion helps unlock memories, new study finds (2025, October 9) retrieved 9 October 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-body-illusion-memories.html
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