 |
| source : scitechdaily.com |
I’ll admit it, I forget stuff all the time. I walk into a room and blank on why I’m there. I leave my coffee in the microwave. I meet someone new and instantly forget their name.
For the longest time, I thought there was something wrong with me.
But after diving deep into memory science (and yes, after binge-listening to Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s Chasing Life podcast), I’ve realized something huge: Forgetting isn’t a flaw. It’s actually how our brain is designed to function.
Let’s talk about that, and more importantly, how we can remember what actually matters, without trying to turn our brains into overworked hard drives.
We’re Not Built to Hold Everything, And That’s Okay
According to memory expert Dr. Charan Ranganath, who runs the Dynamic Memory Lab at UC Davis, our brains are wired more for selective retention than perfect recall. In fact, his book Why We Remember dives into this idea that the brain is like a minimalist: it prefers efficiency over information overload.
Here’s a stat that blew my mind: The average American processes over 34 gigabytes of data every day. That’s like watching 16 HD movies daily. No wonder we’re all mentally fried!
Ranganath says we’re working with limited mental space, think 3 or 4 slots in our short-term memory at any given time. So instead of trying to cram more in, we should aim to remember better, not more.
And lucky for us, there’s a pretty cool framework he teaches for doing just that, it’s called “Call a MEDIC”. Let me break it down.
The 5 Memory Tricks That Actually Work (According to Science)
M is for
Meaning
The brain loves context and relevance. If something doesn’t feel meaningful to you, it’s less likely to stick.
Let’s say you meet someone named “Charan”, it might not register. But if you’re into mythology and link it to “Charon,” the Greek ferryman of the dead, your brain perks up.
🔗 Try This: Make names and facts personal. Turn info into stories or vivid imagery that connects to your interests.
E is for
Error
Mistakes help you learn faster. Seriously.
When you guess something wrong, your brain creates stronger memory pathways once the correct info is revealed. It’s like trial-and-error supercharged.Try This: Quiz yourself instead of just re-reading. Make flashcards. Guess first, then correct yourself. Don’t be afraid to get it wrong, that’s the point.
D is for
Distinctiveness
Want to remember where you left your keys? Make the moment stand out.
Ranganath compares it to spotting a pink sticky note on a wall of yellow ones. The weirder or more unique the memory, the easier it is to retrieve.
Try This: When you put something down, pause. Make note of a sound, a color, or even say it out loud: “Keys are on the red shelf.”
I is for
Importance
Emotion is memory glue. That’s why you still remember who broke your heart in high school, or where you were during big life moments.
Dopamine and other neurotransmitters get released during emotional events, helping memories stick.
Try This: Get curious. Before learning something new, hype it up in your head. Ask yourself: Why does this matter to me? That small shift fires up the brain.
C is for
Context
This one’s magical. Ever heard a song from your childhood and suddenly you’re back in your old bedroom? That’s contextual memory.
Try This: When trying to recall something, mentally revisit the scene. What did the room smell like? What were you wearing? How were you feeling? Boom, you’ll remember more than you thought possible.
Final Thoughts: Forgetting Is Natural, But So Is Getting Better At Remembering
I used to beat myself up for forgetting names, appointments, or even grocery lists. But now I understand it’s not about stuffing my brain full of sticky notes. It’s about making the important ones stick better.
Since I started using some of these strategies, like attaching personal meaning and practicing curiosity, I’ve noticed a real difference in how I remember conversations, to-dos, and even where I parked my car. (Usually.)
So no, you’re not losing your mind. You’re just human.
And that’s why I love this reminder from Dr. Ranganath the most:
“Sometimes remembering better means memorizing less.”
So next time you forget something, don’t panic. Just call a MEDIC, and let your brain do what it does best.