What is Memory?

Is the process by which our brains encode, store, and retrieve information.

Allows us to recall past experiences, recognise faces, solve problems, and make decisions.

Without memory, learning would be impossible, and we would have no sense of self.

Encoding – The process of taking in information through our senses.

When you first meet someone you encode their face into your memory.

Storage – Keeping that information in our brain for short-term or long-term use.

Once you have met someone you store their name into your long term memory until you need it.

Retrieval – Accessing stored information when needed, such as remembering a friend’s name or recalling facts for an exam.

When you meet again you retrieve their name from your memory.

Sensory Memory – Lasts for a fraction of a second and processes immediate sensory input.

When you briefly see something out of the corner of your eye.

Short Term Memory – Holds information temporarily for about 20-30 seconds.

Remembering a phone number long enough to dial it in.

Long Term Memory – Stores information for an extended period, ranging from minutes to a lifetime.

Your memories from childhood are stored in long term memory

Working memory is a part of short term memory that actively processes and manipulates information.

It’s like a mental workspace where we hold and use data/memories for problem solving, reasoning, and learning.

For example: "What is 6 x 7?", relies on working memory.

Declarative Memory (Explicit Memory) – Involves facts and events we can consciously recall (e.g, historical dates etc.).

Recalling the capital of Ireland is an example of Declarative Memory.

Procedural Memory (Implicit Memory) – Stores skills and habits, such as riding a bike or typing on a keyboard, which we perform automatically.

Riding a bike or playing a musical instrument are examples of Procedural Memory.

Hippocampus – Converts short term memories into long term ones.

Acts like a librarian, organising memories and moving them to storage.

Amygdala – Processes emotions, making emotionally significant memories stronger.

The Amygdala helps by assigning emotional importance to them.

Prefrontal Cortex – Responsible for decision making, working memory, and problem-solving.

Helps by manipulating information in your working memory.

Decay – Memories fade if not used over time.

Interference – New or similar information can replace or disrupt old memories.

Retrieval Failure – Sometimes information is stored but difficult to access: "It's at the tip of my tongue!"

Memory Consolidation – During sleep, the brain transfers short-term memories to long-term storage.

REM Sleep – Linked to the processing of procedural memories and creative problem-solving.

Sleep Deprivation – Lack of sleep disrupts encoding and can lead to increased forgetfulness.

Brain Repair – Sleep facilitates the removal of toxins and supports cognitive recovery and overall health.

Limit screen time before bed, reducing blue light exposure which keeps you awake and delays your sleep cycle.

Avoid eating and consuming alcohol for at least 3 hours before sleep.

Limit caffeine usage to 6 hours before sleep .

Wake and sleep at the same time everyday.

Exercise for 30 minutes a day 2 hours (or more) before sleep, this could be a walk.

Playing games like Minesweeper, Scramble, Sudoku, Recall and Tetris can enhance cognitive function by playing for just 20 - 30 minutes a day! Benefits include:

Improving working memory and problem solving skills.

Strengthening spatial awareness and pattern recognition.

Enhancing word recall and language processing.

The most popular conditions that can affect memory are:

Alzheimer's – A progressive disease causing memory loss and cognitive decline.

Symptoms – Memory loss, difficulty completing familiar tasks, confusion, language problems, mood changes.

Dementia – A broad term describing conditions that affect memory, thinking, and behavior.

Symptoms – Memory problems, impaired reasoning, reduced ability to perform daily tasks, personality changes.

Scientists continue to study memory to develop treatments for cognitive disorders and improve learning.

Advances in neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and brain stimulation may one day unlock new ways to boost human memory and prevent memory loss.