The habit of talking to oneself out loud, or talking to oneself, has been the subject of prejudice and misunderstanding for years. Although many associate it with mental “imbalances,” science offers a very different view. Talking to yourself can be a valuable tool for improving concentration, memory, and mental organization What does talking to yourself mean, according to experts? According to Professor Gary Lupyan, a psychology specialist at the University of Wisconsin, verbalizing thoughts is not a sign of irrationality, but a natural process that enhances mental abilities. In an interview with the BBC, the researcher explained that this practice “helps the brain activate visual and auditory information, which improves object identification and task execution.” A study led by Lupyan showed that participants who named objects aloud were able to locate them more quickly than those who remained silent. In simple terms, talking to oneself allows the brain to “listen” to itself in order to better process information and respond more effectively. During childhood, the expert adds, talking to oneself is a frequent and fundamental behavior for learning. Children talk to themselves while playing or doing activities, which helps them regulate their emotions and plan their actions. This self-talk, far from being a cause for alarm, is a cognitive development tool that accompanies them into adulthood. The American clinical psychologist Anne Wilson, who passed away in 2020, humorously and clearly summarized it: “We all need to talk to someone interesting, who knows us perfectly and is on our side. Who better than ourselves?” In short, talking to yourself offers you: As long as it is not accompanied by other worrying symptoms, such as delusions or loss of touch with reality, this habit is a natural expression of the functioning of the human brain.