Expanding the Mind: Understanding How the Brain Forms New Memories

Published on March 14, 2023 .

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white paper cut brain silhouette with red notification alert — Image by Marie Maerz via Shutterstock

Memory-making is a fascinating process that happens every day, but have you ever wondered how your brain turns everyday experiences into long-lasting memories? Think of the brain as a computer, with each memory being a saved file. Each new experience is saved as a new file.

The human brain is continually learning and adapting, allowing us to form new memories and retain new information throughout our lives.
Neurons, the primary cells of the brain, play a critical role in memory formation by transmitting and processing information, creating new connections, and storing memories in the brain.
Neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to change and rearrange its connections, is important for learning and remembering things.
Understanding the mechanisms of memory formation and practicing exercises that promote neuroplasticity can help us improve our memory and retain new information, even in adulthood.

Over time, the computer continually organizes and updates these files, making them easily accessible and ready to be used. This article explores how the adult brain is capable of forming new memories and retaining new information.

Formation of new memories

Making memories is a complex process. Here's a simple explanation of how the brain forms new memories:

Snapshot. When you experience something new, your brain takes a "snapshot" of the experience and stores it as a memory.
Connections. Your brain makes connections between the new memory and previous memories, linking the new memory to your knowledge and experiences.
Organization. Just like organizing a library, your brain organizes and categorizes the new memory so that it's easily accessible in the future.
Recall. When you want to recall a memory, your brain "looks" for the memory file and retrieves it from the library.

Role of neurons

The brain comprises many billions of tiny cells called neurons. These neurons play a critical role in forming new memories!

Here's how:

Communication. Electrical and chemical impulses allow neurons to interact with one another. When you experience something new, these signals travel between neurons and help form a new memory.
Formation of new connections. As the signals travel between neurons, new connections (or pathways) are formed. These pathways are like roads that allow the memory to be easily accessed in the future.
Strengthening of connections. The more you think about a memory or experience it again, the stronger the connections between neurons become. This makes the memory easier to recall and helps it become a long-term memory.

Stages of memory creation

Making a memory is like taking a journey! There are different stages that your brain goes through to turn an experience into a lasting memory. Here's a simple explanation of the stages of memory creation:

Sensory memory. When you experience something new, your brain first stores it in a temporary stage called sensory memory. This is like taking a quick snapshot of the experience.
Short-term memory. If you pay attention to the experience, your brain moves it from sensory memory into short-term memory. This stage is similar to holding a snapshot in your hand for a short period of time.
Long-term memory. If you continue to think about the experience or repeat it, your brain transfers the memory from short-term to long-term memory. This stage is like filing the snapshot away in a memory album for safekeeping.

Memory creation – an example:

To understand the stages of memory creation, let's look at a real-life example:

Encoding. Imagine a person trying to learn a new recipe. They pay attention to the ingredients, the steps, and the cooking process, encoding the information into their memory.
Consolidation. After reading the recipe and trying to remember the steps, the person goes to bed. During sleep, their brain works to put the new information together, making the connections between neurons stronger and the memory more stable.
Storage. The next day, the person can remember the recipe and the steps, which shows that the information was successfully stored.
Retrieval. Later, when the person is in the kitchen, they are able to retrieve the stored memory of the recipe and use it to cook a meal.

In this example, the person successfully went through all the stages of memory creation, encoding the new information, consolidating it during sleep, storing it in their memory, and later retrieving it.

The importance of emotions and attention

Have you ever noticed that certain memories stick with you longer than others? That's because emotions and attention play a big role in memory formation!

Emotions. When you have a strong emotional response to an experience, it makes the memory more memorable and lasting. Think about a time when you felt really happy, scared, or angry; those memories are probably still clear in your mind.
Attention. If you pay close attention to an experience, it becomes more memorable too. Your brain is like a camera, focusing on what's important and recording it for later. So, if you want to memorize something, focus your attention and concentrate on it.

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity offers a new way of understanding the brain and how it can change and adapt throughout our lives. In the past, it was thought that the brain was fixed and unchanging after a certain age. But now, with advancements in neuroscience, we know that this isn't true. Instead, the brain is always changing and adapting based on what we do and what we learn.

The concept of neuroplasticity is becoming increasingly popular because it offers hope for those who are dealing with brain-related challenges, such as memory loss, cognitive decline, and even brain injury. By better understanding the brain's ability to change and adapt, scientists and healthcare professionals can develop new, more effective treatments and therapies to improve brain function.

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is like a superpower for your brain! It has the capacity to change and adapt, even as you grow older. Think of it like a big puzzle: your brain has millions of tiny puzzle pieces (called neurons) that fit together to help you think, learn, and remember things. Neuroplasticity means that the puzzle pieces can move around and fit together in new ways, making your brain even better at what it does.

How to boost neuroplasticity

There are a few ways to boost neuroplasticity:

Learn new things. Try a new hobby or take up a new sport. Your brain will be challenged and grow stronger!
Keep your mind active. Solve puzzles, play brain games, or read a book. Keeping your mind active will help it stay sharp.
Stay physically active. Exercise not only helps you physically, but it also aids your brain.
Get enough sleep. When you sleep, your brain interprets and stores new information.

By following these tips, you can help your brain stay plastic and continue to learn and grow throughout your life!

Tips for improving memory

There are several ways that adults can improve their memory and retain new information.

Repetition. Repeating new information several times can help solidify it in long-term memory.
Association. Linking new information to existing knowledge can make it easier to remember.
Active recall. Testing yourself on new information through quizzes or recalling information from memory helps strengthen the memory.
Chunking. It can be simpler to retain complicated material if it is divided into smaller, more manageable bits.
Attention and focus. Paying attention to new information and maintaining focus can improve encoding and recall.
Mental stimulation. It is possible to maintain mental acuity and enhance memory function by engaging in cognitively demanding activities like puzzles and learning new skills.

By incorporating a combination of these strategies and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adults can improve their memory function and retain new information more effectively.