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To Remember More, Feed the Hippo
by Steven Rudolph
January 25, 2008
 
The mind has an incredible ability to remember things. The brain has more than 100 billion brain cells (neurons)--many of which are used in storing information. And most scientists agree that we use only a fraction of our brain's full capacity. With so many available neurons, it appears as though our brains were naturally wired to learn--and that we could be learning far far more than we typically do.

But if our brains have so much potential, why do we have such a hard time remembering certain things? And why do we tend to be so forgetful? One answer lies in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that acts as a filter, making decisions about what to commit to memory and what to ignore. When we learn something new, the hippocampus goes to work, taking that information from 'short-term memory' and encoding it into 'long-term memory'. The more stimulated the hippocampus, the greater its ability to store those details in your brain for later recall.

So how do you get the hippocampus turned on? First, you must direct your learning. You must become motivated and convince yourself that something is worth knowing. When you do so, extra blood is pumped into the hippocampus, which enlists more brain cells in the job. Second, you need to oxygenate the brain cells. This can be achieved through deep breathing, drinking plenty of water and physical exercise. Third, you need to connect the new neurons to as many other neurons as possible. Merely trying to mug something up does not help the brain integrate that new information. Instead, you need to analyse the new information, see how it connects to other things that you know, discuss it and even make use of it. This mental weaving connects neurons to each other, securing their existence for the long term. If you don't follow these steps, the hippocampus will not be able to summon enough brain cells to make a lasting impression. (This accounts for those times where something goes 'in one ear and out the other.')

Lastly, you need to maintain the health of the neurons that have been imbued with knew knowledge. A neuron has the ability to live for over 100 years, however, it must be used and exercised actively--otherwise it will die--taking the information along with it. The key Law of Learning here is 'Use It or Lose It'. You can ensure neurons survive by doing things like reading, solving puzzles and learning new things (such as musical instruments or languages).

So when it comes to increasing and maintaining your memory, you can feel confident knowing that the mind has no limits. But if you truly want to expand its horizons, you must remember one important tip: feed the 'hippo'.