#8: False Memories

You know how you’re absolutely certain that you saw a unicorn in your backyard when you were a kid, but then you realize it was just a horse with a funky haircut? Yeah, that’s a false memory. False memories happen when our brain mixes real experiences with imaginary ones or fills in the gaps.

It uses information from other sources to do this. False memories can be frustrating, but they’re also a testament to the incredible power of the human imagination. So, they’re a great explanation for why some people are adamant they used to be someone else; it’s just their brain making a mistake.