Have you ever wondered how your memory works?
How can you remember things even years after they happend? What is actually the memory?
In this article we are going to fin out these informations and other.
Memory is the process of taking in information from the world around us, processing it,
storing it and later recalling that information, sometimes many years later. Sounds pretty
simple, right?
Many scientists believe that the entire brain is involved with memory. Scientists have argued that memory is located in specific parts of the brain, and specific neurones can be recognized for their involvement in forming memories. The main parts of the brain involved with memory are the amygdala, the hippocampus, the cerebellum, and the prefrontal cortex.
Did you know there exist more types of memory?
Memory is classified as three major types: sensory memory, short term memory and long term memory.
The long term memory is also divided into explicit (conscious) memory, that is also
declarative (facts, events) and episodic, semantic memory. Implicit (unconscious) memory also has procedural memory (skills, tasks).
How does memory work?
The prefontal cortex region and the hippocampus in the middle region of the brain are
responsible for memory storage.
Prefrontal cortex stores short term memory and and the hippocampus stores the long term memories.
Memory is generated in three different phases:
1. Encoding
Your brain starts by identifying, and priming information so it’s ready for storage. You
encode information using four different methods — visual, acoustic, semantic, and touch
— before deciding what’s important to remember.
2. Storage
The brain determines how, where, and for how long your memory stores information
during the storage stage. Encoded information initially moves from your sensory memory
to your short-term memory. But it might travel further into your long-term memory if it’s
important or grabs your interest.
3. Retrieval
How readily you access information depends on the type of memory. short-term memory
is retrieved in the order you stored it, like each letter of a coworker’s email address. But you usually retrieve long-term memories by association, like the pattern your company
uses to create employee emails.
Now the things get a little bit complicated, but hold on.
Hippocampus stores the long term memory by changing the neural wiring,that is making new connections between neurons and synapses by receiving the short term memories from the prefrontal cortex.
Eric Candel has made a study that shows that to build a memory neurons manufacture new proteins and expand the network of neurons and synapses to make neurotransmitter
efficiently. Different parts of the brain store diffrent kinds of memories. When we recall any
memory, these different regions interplay with each other and present a consolidated
memory. Our emotional responses are stored in the amygdala, while analytical skill related
memories are stored in the striatum. Hippocampus is responsible for retaining and recalling
declerative memories.
Memories are held within groups of neurons known as cell assemblies.These interconnected networks of neurons respond together in reaction to a particular stimulus.
The clarity of memory depends upon the connections made between diffrent sets of
neurons.The connections requires that each neuron consistently activates its adiacent
neurons.This regulary building the connection keeps the memory intact and retains it for the
long term.The cortex performs the processing of information and the temporal lobe that
includes the hippocampus,coordinates the whole process and we get a consolidated set of
memories.
How to improve your memory?
1. Be physically active every day
Physical activity raises blood flow to the whole body, including the brain. This might help
keep your memory sharp.
2. Stay mentally active
Just as physical activity keeps your body in shape, activities that engage your mind help keep your brain in shape. And those activities might help prevent some memory loss. Do crossword puzzles. Read. Play games. Learn to play a musical instrument. Try a new hobby. Volunteer at a local school or with a community group.
3. Spend time with others
Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress. Both of those can contribute to
memory loss. Look for opportunities to get together with loved ones, friends and other people, especially if you live alone.
4. Stay organized
Keep track of tasks, appointments and other events in a notebook, calendar or electronic
planner. You might even repeat each entry out loud as you write it down to help keep it in
your memory. Keep to-do lists up to dateLimit distractions. Do not do too many things at once. If you focus on the information that you are trying to remember, you are more likely to recall it later. It also might help to connect what you are trying to remember to a favorite song or a familiar saying or idea.
5. Sleep well
Not getting enough sleep has been linked to memory loss. Make getting enough healthy sleep a priority. Adults should sleep 7 to 9 hours a night on a regular basis.
6. Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet is good for your brain. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as fish, beans and skinless poultry. What you drink also counts. Too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss.
7. Manage chronic health problems
Follow your health care provider's advice for dealing with medical conditions, such as high
blood pressure, diabetes, depression, hearing loss and obesity.
Bibliography:
https://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/memo/memory.html
https://digitaleditions.library.dal.ca/intropsychneuro/chapter/memory-and-the-brain/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/memory-loss/art-20046518
https://www.verywellmind.com/different-types-of-memory-and-their-functions-519485
https://www.betterup.com/blog/types-of-memory
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