Mental Time Travel: Simulating Past and Future Moments

Our ability to mentally time travel allows us to simulate ourselves in the past and future. Simulations of the past, known as memory, help us re-simulate past experiences and emotions. Similarly, simulations of the future help us plan for potential scenarios and make decisions. The same brain mechanisms are involved in both memory and future imagination. Damage to specific brain areas can lead to amnesia and an inability to simulate possible futures. Our sense of self encompasses not only our memories but also our future simulations. Envisioning different possibilities and outcomes influences our goal-setting and decision-making.