False Memories in the Field: Impact of Substance Intoxication and Sleep Restriction on False Memory Formation

We conducted a field study at a music festival to examine effects of naturally occurring sleep deficits and substance intoxication on false memory formation and susceptibility to suggestion, using two paradigms. In a misinformation task, sleep restriction was associated with increased levels of susceptibility to suggestion and false alarms to nonsuggestive questions for a virtual reality eyewitness scenario. Use of tetrahydrocannabinol and amphetamines was also related to increased false alarms to nonsuggestive questions, indicating that such questions might be sensitive to use of those drugs. In an implantation paradigm, neither sleep restriction, substances, nor exposure to fake social media content increased the likelihood of falsely believing or recollecting a purportedly experienced festival event. However, some people came to falsely believe (13%, n = 30) or falsely remember (6%, n = 14) the false suggested event. Findings indicate that some established lab effects can also be observed in a less controlled environment.