Brain

Every experience is potentially a memory, but in most cases, what distinguishes experiences that endure in memory from those that pass without the note is that when they occurred, they either created or coincided with higher-than-normal levels of emotion. Powerful emotion has an important role in the laying down of memories. Emotion is generated in […]

The study of Solomon Sheresshevskii, a Russian journalist with an apparently limitless memory, is one of the most famous case histories in psychology. Sheresshevskii’s extraordinary abilities were recorded over several decades by Aleksandr Luria, a professor at the University Of Moscow. In 1965, psychologist Aleksandr Luria published The Mind of a Mnemonist, an astonishing account

From our childhood experiences of nursery rhymes and stories, we recognize the power of rhyme, rhythm, and narrative to hold our interest and make information memorable – these are the elements that underpin many effective memory strategies in later life. Almost any material becomes more memorable if it is given the form of a story.

Conscious recollection consists of mental reconstructions involving any of the senses. But for most people, the most powerful aid to memory is a visual image – which is why many mnemonic techniques are based on creating pictures and places in the mind. The underlying principle of any memory method is to impose a structure on

Making a speech, or even just telling a joke, can strike fear into even the most practiced performers. But preparation, organization, and a method to keep you on the course can do much to reduce your anxiety. In ancient times, Greek and Roman orators used memory techniques to remember long speeches. A speech was deemed

What we eat car has a role in maintaining a good memory – and can also play a part in diminishing its effectiveness. A diet for good memory should include an optimum level of beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates and a minimum amount of potentially harmful substances such as caffeine. Modern

Are there shortcuts to a good memory? Could simply popping a pill enhance your ability to retain information? For many people, this is an alluring idea -but drugs that target the brain can lead to problems as well as benefits. In 1972, the first drug with claims to enhance memory was launched. Called piracetam, the

Memory is central to our personal and professional lives and is not something we should take for granted. To perform at our best, we need to maintain our psychological and physical well-being. In recent years, researchers have taken an integrated approach to memory improvement. Mnemonic strategies, repetition, and visualisa­tion are valuable memory tools. Still, mental

Although no one knows exactly what consciousness is, there are many different theories. Some of them are thousands of years old, while some are new ideas conceived by explorations at the frontier of philosophy and neuroscience. Consciousness is a puzzle. For a start, we all use the words ‘ consciousness’ and ‘conscious’ to mean many

Today, there is a widespread consensus that the operations of the conscious mind, encompassing thoughts, perceptions, and emotional awareness, are intricately connected to physiological processes occurring in the brain. But neuroscientists are only just beginning to discover how the activity of brain cells translates into the rich and multi-faceted experience of consciousness. Whenever you are