Do you sometimes forget one or two items from your shopping list? Or have you suddenly been unable to remember the name of someone you know well? There have been times when you studied hard for an exam and couldn't remember the question paper. Such experiences are actually common to all of us. The reason for this is the amazing and somewhat complex process called our memory. So, let's find out more about this today.
Simply put, what is memory?
Memory is the process of recalling information we have learned and experienced when needed. It is like a big library in our head. In this library, we collect books (information), organize them, and then when we need them, we find and read that book again. Many parts of our brain work together to do this.
Memory is essential for almost everything in our lives. Just think...
- Solve problems: Answer a question on an exam.
- Plan: When traveling on an unfamiliar road, remember the route, and remember the route from home to the office.
- Language and communication: Remember someone's name, remember words and speak.
- Safety: Remember something that has harmed us in the past (e.g., burning your hand on a hot stove) and stay away from those things.
As we age, our memory may not work as well as it used to. It's a normal part of aging. But sometimes, certain medical conditions can affect the memory-related parts of our brain. If you have any questions or concerns about your memory, it's best to talk to your doctor .
What are the main types of our memory?
Our memory can be divided into three main parts. To make it easier to understand, let's look at it this way.
| Memory type | Simply put... | A Sri Lankan example |
|---|---|---|
| Sensory Memory | We only remember information that comes through our senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin) for a few seconds. We have no control over this. | The smell of "steaming beans" that you suddenly feel when you're walking down the street. You only smell it for a few seconds. But at that moment, it's so strong. |
| Short-term memory | Information is stored temporarily for a few seconds to a few minutes. This allows for quick recall. | Remembering a phone number someone gives you until you write it down on a piece of paper. Or remembering 3-4 items you need to buy at the store. |
| Long-term memory | Information is stored almost permanently for years, perhaps a lifetime. There is no limit to its capacity. | Things like your first day of school, how you learned to ride a bike, the name of your best friend, and how to make coconut sambol. |
Ways to improve short-term memory a little
Our short-term memory is like a VIP lounge. We can only be there for a short time. But we can use small tricks to increase its capacity and time a little.
- Chunking: The act of breaking information into smaller chunks and remembering them. For example, it is easier to remember a vehicle license plate number as "WP CAR-5834" in two chunks than as "WPCAR5834" in one chunk. Even a phone number is remembered in chunks, like 077-1234567.
- Rehearsing: Repeating information over and over again. Like humming the lyrics of a song to memorize it. This is similar to mentally repeating "Coconut, sugar, lentils... Coconut, sugar, lentils..." while walking to the store.
Because we use this short-term memory to organize and use information, some researchers also call it "working memory."
There are types of long-term memory too.
Long-term memory also has two main parts:
1. Declarative or Explicit Memory: This stores things like facts, events, and places. We consciously recall this information. Example: Remembering that Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948.
2. Non-declarative or Implicit/Procedural Memory: This stores things like skills and habits that we have learned. We use these consciously or unconsciously. Examples: riding a bike, swimming, driving a car. When we do these things, we don't think about each step, it just happens automatically.
How is a memory formed? The 4 steps in this process
Any memory is created and used in four main steps. It's like taking a photo on your phone, saving it, and looking at it again later.
| Steps | What is happening? | Example (photo) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gathering | We receive information from the environment through our senses. | You see a beautiful flower and take a photo of it. |
| 2. Encoding | The brain converts that information into a form that can be easily stored. | The phone's camera converts that scene into a digital file. |
| 3. Storage | The brain stores the translated information in appropriate places in an orderly manner. | You give the photo a name and save it in your phone's gallery. |
| 4. Retrieval | We search, select, and use stored information when we need it. | Later on, you go to the gallery, find that photo, and look at it again. |
For this entire process to occur, the nerve cells ( neurons ), neurotransmitters , and various areas of the brain work together and coordinately.
What part of the brain controls memory?
Memories are formed primarily in a part of our brain called the hippocampus . This is located behind our eardrums, deep inside our brain. We have two hippocampi, one on each side of our head. These also help us retrieve memories.
In addition, other parts of the brain contribute to memory:
- Long-term memory: Basal ganglia, cerebellum, neocortex, and amygdala.
- Short-term memory: Prefrontal cortex.
- Sensory memory: Sensory cortex, parietal lobe, and temporal lobe.
You see, memory is not something that exists in one place in the brain. It is the result of the collective effort of many interconnected parts spread throughout the brain.
What are memory disorders?
Memory problems can be caused by diseases that damage the parts of the brain that regulate memory. These can cause other symptoms in addition to memory loss.
Some common conditions that can affect memory are:
- Alzheimer 's disease and other dementia conditions.
- Brain tumor .
- Depression .
- Intellectual disability .
- Sleep deprivation .
- Stress .
- Stroke .
- Thyroid conditions .
- Serious head injuries ( Traumatic brain injury ).
Why do we forget some things?
We are constantly learning new things and having new experiences. Our brain is not a hard drive that saves everything. Instead, the brain selects and retains the most important memories and discards the less important ones. That is the efficiency of the brain.
However, memory loss can also be caused by things beyond our control. For example, illnesses or accidents can damage the parts of the brain that make up memory.
Also, lack of sleep, stress, and traumatic events can make it difficult to think clearly and remember things. Sometimes, the brain itself blocks harmful, painful memories to protect us from them.
If you feel like you are forgetting more things than usual, meaning that you are forgetting more things than you are remembering, see your doctor immediately for advice .
Our life experiences shape us. We are constantly learning from those experiences. From remembering not to touch something hot, to remembering the color of the walls in your room as a child, to remembering the three items you need to bring from the store, our memory is constantly working.
Sometimes we remember someone's name, other times we forget the answer to a question on an exam. It's very annoying when our memory doesn't work properly. But we are human, and our brains don't always organize and retrieve memories 100% correctly.
If you're worried about your memory, things like getting enough sleep and reducing stress can help improve your memory to some extent. But sometimes, home remedies alone aren't enough. So, if you're having memory problems, don't hesitate to talk to a doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Memory is a complex process of storing what we learn in the brain and retrieving it when needed.
- There are three main types of memory: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
- It's normal to forget things. Our brains selectively store important information, but they don't store everything.
- Getting good sleep, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are very important for memory.
- If you feel like you're forgetting more than usual or it's affecting your daily life, don't delay and consult your doctor for advice.
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