How The Human Memory Works

Whether you believe in evolution or creation or anything in between, you are probably going to agree that the human brain is probably one of the most complex bits of machinery in our universe. Our brains process billions of bits of information every second and have built-in automated responses to that information - your nose itches, and your hand immediately reaches for it without any seemingly conscious thought on your part. You don't need to remind yourself to eat or sleep, as the brain will send out signals when it's time to take care of those necessary functions as well.

There is still much we don't know about the brain. For example, the concept of "déjà vu" still remains a mystery to scientists, who cannot explain it in detail - does it happen because your current situation simply reminds you of something from your past, because your memory is too weak to remember what it is that seems so familiar, or because you've been abducted by aliens who've erased parts of your memory? That last theory isn't as popular as the first two of course.

But scientists and biologists have been able to do some brain mapping when it comes to memory and how it's stored in the mind. Unlike physical objects, the brain's memory is not a filing cabinet that holds so many "documents," but rather memory is a series of nerve pathways and connections that are either successfully made (enabling you to remember where you parked), or not (which is when your memory fails).

When we take in information through our senses - we see, hear, taste, touch, or smell something - that information flows along neural paths into our brain, which then processes and acts on that information accordingly. The first time someone tastes coffee, their brain registers everything about it - the smell, the temperature, the taste - and then decides if it enjoys the sensation or not. Remembering something is simply a process of re-firing or restarting those neural paths or connections. When you smell coffee brewing, those same neural paths get sparked, immediately bringing to memory the taste of coffee, and your decision as to whether or not you liked it. That memory then triggers the next step - either you get yourself a cup, or you wrinkle your nose and keep walking.

The brain recognizes the difference between information we need only temporarily (such as "carry" numbers when doing arithmetic, or what we just walked into the kitchen to get) and stores that in a part of the brain that holds short-term memory. This information stays there for about half a minute, and holds only about six or seven pieces of memory at one time. Long-term memory storage, however, appears to be unlimited. Virtually everything that you say or do on a daily basis is because of your long-term memory. Showering, tying your shoes, driving, carrying on conversation, even reading this book is all done because you learned how to do those things, you learned their necessity and function (showering is necessary for good hygiene, tied shoes are necessary so that you don't trip and so that they stay on your feet), and that information is stored in the long-term memory area of the brain.

Persons who have suffered brain injuries in the area where long-term memories are stored can be unable to do even the simplest of daily tasks, including walking or talking. They can be at a loss as to language and even their own family's identities. Because those neural pathways cannot be fired or connected again, that memory is lost to them. So while memories are not physical things stored in our brains, they can be affected by physical defects or injuries.

Privacy Policy