Implicit memory is outside of conscious awareness and doesn't involve any thoughts, facts, or images.

Ideally, implicit memories connect us to past experiences in ways that help us avoid unpleasant or dangerous situations today. A tricky thing about implicit memory is that it has no sense of time. This means activating an implicit memory can bring up fear in the present, as if there is a threat to our well-being or safety right now (even when there isn't).

Implicit memories are hit-or-miss. Sometimes they do us a huge favor by saving us from danger. Sometimes it's a false alarm. Someone who was attacked by a dog in childhood may feel fear when a dog barks in the distance, even if they don't realize they just heard a dog bark.

It may seem like implicit memory is a broken feature of human psychology, but there is a reason for its vigilant hyperactivity. In short: Thinking a tiger is in the bushes when there isn't one is safe. Thinking there isn't a tiger in the bushes when there is one may be a deadly mistake.

When someone experiences fear or anxiety with no apparent cause, it can be beneficial to do a reality check, asking oneself if there is any danger and, if not, whether they could have activated an implicit memory. Over time, we can develop a sense of when our fears are coming from the past, saving our energy for when real danger presents itself.