Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 11/07/2016 16:04:15

Title: Can I improve my short-term memory?
Post by: thedoc on 11/07/2016 16:04:15

I am male aged 43 and I have such a short memory that I can forget certain names so easily - even 5 mins later. I also have problem recollecting events or major words or names at work. I can even forget to complete a statement while talking to someone and my attention gets interrupted during my talking. How can I improve my memory?
Asked by Shepherd


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[chapter podcast=1001386 track=16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005372.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd)  ...or Listen to the Answer[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005372.mp3)

Title: Re: Can I improve my short-term memory?
Post by: Colin2B on 14/02/2015 23:01:34

Quote from: thedoc on 14/02/2015 17:30:01

Shepherd asked the Naked Scientists:
   
I am male aged 43 and I have such a short memory that I can forget certain names so easily 5 mins later. I also have problem recollecting events or major words or names at work. I can even forget to complete a statement while talking to someone and my attention gets interrupted during my talking. Can I improve my intelligence?

What do you think?

Yes, but don't confuse memory with intelligence.
If this is a recent deterioration eg over last few years, then please have a medical check up.
The move from short to long term memory depends on how important the brain thinks the info is. Repetition helps and vocalising eg repeat a person's name back to them when first meeting -"pleased to meet you Fred". It also requires training the mind to focus and pay attention, not get distracted.
 I would recommend one of Tony Buzan's books eg use your head. He covers note taking, memorisation, visualisation. There are also resources on the web.
Some people on the dyslexia ADD spectrum have problems with working memory, try reading "that's the way I think" David Grant.
Many people on this spectrum describe thoughts as being 'greased' or slippery.

Others on the forum might have other ideas that could help.

Title: Re: Can I improve my short-term memory?
Post by: diethyl on 15/02/2015 06:42:07

I‘m 23 years old, and I also easily going to forget something that I need to do. Poor memory! but it may just normal? Everyone will encounter such condition. Not only to the brain, but also pay attention to the body exercise.

Title: Re: Can I improve my short-term memory?
Post by: Colin2B on 15/02/2015 13:50:16

Quote from: diethyl on 15/02/2015 06:42:07

Poor memory! but it may just normal? Everyone will encounter such condition. Not only to the brain, but also pay attention to the body exercise.

I agree, but what is normal. We are used to the stereotype of the absent minded professor who's mind is so full that she forgets to eat, wash, sleep... But a change from what is normal for us might indicate, say, small vessel disease. Yes, exercise, keeping weight down, avoiding diabetes can help ward off vascular dementia, but it's worth getting checked out.
Some people may have had problems since birth eg ADD where they can be very intelligent as measured by verbal reasoning tests, but are handicapped by poor working memory. Again, worth getting assessed.
One thing is certain, whatever is normal now won't get better in the future. Hang on to what you've got.

Title: Hear the answer to this question on our show
Post by: thedoc on 11/07/2016 16:04:15

We discussed this question on our  show















Kat Arney put this to neuroscientist Laura Ford, from the University of Cambridge...















[Transcript to follow]















Click to visit the show page for the podcast in which this question is answered. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/naked-scientists/show/20160705/) Alternatively, [chapter podcast=1001386 track=16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005372.mp3](https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenakedscientists.com%2FHTML%2Ftypo3conf%2Fext%2Fnaksci_podcast%2Fgnome-settings-sound.gif&hash=f2b0d108dc173aeaa367f8db2e2171bd) listen to the answer now[/chapter] or [download as MP3] (http://nakeddiscovery.com/downloads/split_individual/16.07.05/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.07.05_1005372.mp3)