This is kind of a personal issue for myself. I thought I would hit up the smart people here at sciforums to see if anyone can help me out. I have found that I have a very bad memory for most things. Someone might ask me if I'd seen a movie and I'll remember if I have or not, and whether I liked it, but I usually can't recall anything from the movie (obviously this changes with repetition). Same thing with, say, song lyrics. Compared to virtually everyone I know, I seem to have a big issue with remembering things. It also seems to manifest more in long-term memory. For example, I can be working on something for work and I will be fine. But if a week passes and someone comes back and asks me about the details, I'll have to reference my notes most of the time. It has been a source of extreme frustration to me. I recently read in some thread here on sciforums a brief mention that REM is in some way related to memory recall. Is there anyway to test that, or to check to see if that might be the case for me? If it's relevant, I hardly ever remember my dreams. I will literally go months (or more) between nights where I have dreams I remember when I wake. Other than REM, what other causes of poor memory are there? Obviously, there could be a physical problem in my brain. Anything else beyond that? How about ways/activities/training that can be done to increase one's memory capability. Anyone know of anything good down that line?
I also have an appalling memory and am as puzzled as you. I do recall hearing that the problem isn't so much one of retrieval but storage - you don't remember because the information hasn't been stored properly in the first place, maybe due to tiredness or a lack of concentration at the time, or something. I know that if I concentrate hard on something I'm more likely to recall the details at a later stage, but it annoys me that for some people the process appears automatic. whereas for me it's often a very conscious one. The thing about REM sleep is that this is when the brain transfers data from the short-term memory to the long-term one. But, again, if the information hasn't been absorbed properly in the first place, it's not going to have much effect.
That is an interesting point about the concentration, Redarmy. I find that I do the same thing; if there is something I desperately want to remember, I make sure that I consciously tell myself to remember it, and that seems to help out on those types of things. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Bigtraine hasn't told us his age or whether he does or has done drugs or alcohol, as all these factors do have an effect on memory. On the whole, my own memory is pretty shitty unless it's got something to do with my creative endeavours in which case it's pretty good. Example: if I'm working on a story line for a novel or working out the ins and outs of a potential business venture, or writing songs, the plots can stay in my head for months on end and I can recall a lot of the details even after a number of years, but I'm terrible at remembering people's names and faces or their relationship to me, which is rather embarrasing and kind of shows a contemptuousness for people on my part and I'm terrible at remembering day to day things that I consider mundane, even if they happen to be things that seemed important at the time. In conversation I can get pretty tongue tied and forget certain words that might help me clarify a point, but when I'm writing, the words just come out of nowhere, at least most of the time. I think the physical reasons for my less than perfect memory are probably my 3 decades of grass consumption and my age, which is 53, but the deeper reason is my lack of interest in many events and some people, which prevents me from registering the knowledge to memory.
I am 25. Very limited drug use (10-15 time pot smoker, lifetime). I do drink quite a bit though. Also, on the physical aspect of it, one night I fell down a couple of stairs (backwards), and landed pretty solidly on my head on some cheap tile on top of cement. I'm pretty sure I got a concussion, but I was pretty drunk at the time (21st birthday - what can you do?) so I just went to bed and shrugged it off. I can't prove whether I did or didn't have a concussion and whether or not it affect anything, but I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe I am just trying to use that instance as a scapegoat?
I know of no studies that suggest that sleep is related to memory or retention. However, one way to strengthen memory of something is through repitition. Therefore, it would stand to reason that if you had vivid memories of an awaken experience while you were asleep, then you should tend to have a better memory of it. Dream on Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Mnemonics help too, as well as symbolic visual movie consisting of silly things. For some reason, remembering this sort of "silly" causation playback is extremely effective in all sorts of situations. For phone numbers: I've recently tried the method of remembering phone numbers via "vectors" on an imaginary 3X3 num keypad (with the 0 at the bottom) - visualize a bold circle in the initial position, a "D" shape wherever the numbers reverse in fashion ABA, and tie a teardrop-shaped "knot/loop" wherever a number repeats. The arrows ("vectors") zigzag and form a distinct pattern whose parts that you can label with custom names. I'm not sure if this works better than auditory memory, but already on my first try it's proven quite effective for me - but you need to store it into auditory first, and then make the 3X3 "vector" picture out of it as you initally mouth it incessantly.
Addition - my "vector" method is getting more effective. I just remembered yet another obscure phone number that I thought I lost from last week, recalled from the "vector" pictures.
hello Well I have an 'odd' memory too, can remember vasts amounts of info when required at that time, but instantly forget it all when it is nolonger required. Hence I am good in exams but actually recall diddly squat when they are over by as little as one week! My boss ( a Doctor) once told me this memeory problem was actually demonstration of an efficient memory, I only remember things I need to remember and then it gets packed away. I actually bought one of those mega memory courses (as seen on tv!) and the techniques deffinately work. You could have a phenomenal memory with practice. Meanwhile I have found that EPA consumption has improved my memory and speed reading ability, so eat more fish! Alcohol will affect your memory if you drink a lot. http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/dementia/a/blacer030617.htm "Alcohol Damages Day-To-Day Memory Function From Buddy T, Your Guide to Alcoholism / Substance Abuse. FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Heavy Drinkers Make Significantly More Memory Mistakes Research has shown that heavy alcohol use clearly damages retrospective memory, that is, the learning, retention and retrieval of previously presented materials. Less is known about the effects of alcohol on day-to-day memory function, specifically, prospective memory, remembering to do things at some future point in time, and everyday memory, remembering to complete daily activities. A study in the June 2003 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research uses internet-based methodology to find that heavy alcohol consumption has a negative impact on day-to-day memory. "Prospective memory impairments include things like forgetting to send someone a birthday card on time, or forgetting what you're going to say in the middle of a sentence," said Jonathan Ling, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Teesside in the United Kingdom and first author of the paper." Meanwhile re sleep http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050629070337.htm "Study Shows How Sleep Improves Memory BOSTON -- A good night's sleep triggers changes in the brain that help to improve memory, according to a new study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). These findings, reported in the June 30, 2005, issue of the journal Neuroscience and currently published on-line, might help to explain why children -- infants, in particular -- require much more sleep than adults, and also suggest a role for sleep in the rehabilitation of stroke patients and other individuals who have suffered brain injuries." "Our previous studies demonstrated that a period of sleep could help people improve their performance of 'memory tasks,' such as playing piano scales," explains the study's lead author Matthew Walker, PhD, director of BIDMC's Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory. "But we didn't know exactly how or why this was happening. "
i think i had memory problems when i was younger, and was told to start memorizing random things, such as the numbers for a house somewhere, or what a sign said, and recall that information later in the day. college also forced my memory to get up to specs as i couldn't life without it. i was worried, but it seems that subjecting it to a memory-intensive envirionment forces memory to develop also, i can't remember exactly what i was working on a week ago, nor can i remember what i had for lunch two days ago, nor does it really matter. what matters is the information that i need to pass upcomming finals and a number of other things. then again, i'm not sure how bad my "problem" really was, but I thought I'd throw my two bits in anyway
I saw something about that on TV, so I've been taking 4 caps of fish oil every day for a few weeks now. I don't know if I'll notice a sudden difference or whether a better memory will just creep up on me, but what I'm actually aiming for is to ward off Alszheimer's, so it's a long term investment.
It's more complicated than this gentlemen. Learning is hierarchical and memory is not an all or nothing phenomenon. Learn how you learn. Look at Artificial Intelligence as it relates to neuroscience - Jeff Hawkins has some videos on youtube and books (those aren't free though).
I seem to be forgetful as well but if I do not recall wat it was I was trying to recall , then it doesn't really matter that much.
