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Body memory


Body memory is a hypothesis that the body itself is capable of storing memories, as opposed to only the brain. The idea could be pseudoscientific as there are no known means by which tissues other than the brain are capable of storing memories. Body memory is used to explain having memories for events where the brain was not in a position to store memories and is sometimes a catalyst for repressed memory recovery. These memories are often characterised with phantom pain in a part or parts of the body – the body appearing to remember the past trauma. The idea of body memory is a belief frequently associated with the idea of repressed memories, in which memories of incest or sexual abuse can be retained and recovered through physical sensations. An example of body memory is based on decapitated animals that upon regrowing their head seem to recall past memories and training. This may suggest evidence that such means may be available to simpler forms of life.

Cellular memory is an additional hypothesis that memories can be stored outside the brain. However, unlike body memory, the cellular memory hypothesis states that these memories are stored in all the cells of human bodies, not in the bodies’ organs. The idea that non-brain tissues can have memories is also believed by some individuals who have received organ transplants, though this is also considered to be impossible.

Studies done by biologists at Tufts University have been able to train worms despite the loss of the brain and head. This may confirm memory is stored in other parts of the body, at least in some animals. A worm reduced to 1/279th of the original worm can be regrown within a few weeks and show signs of training, by heading towards light and open space in order to search for food, an unnatural and dangerous behavior, that can be trained in a few weeks. With each head removed, the speed of which the individual remembers seems to increase, reducing training times. This may be a proof of body memory or muscle memory, or may just be a sign of epigenetics showing the appearance of memory. [Anthony, Sebastian. "Decapitated worms can regenerate their brains, and the memories stored inside". ]


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