New Study Suggests an Easy Method To Get a Better Memory
Scientists may have discovered a new way of
training and improving our memory and it's nothing like you might
expect. It doesn't require you to write in journals, solve sudoku or
crossword puzzles or exercise, it does require, however, for you to try
new things and hope for the best, and this theory is based on a chemical
found in your brain called dopamine. What do we mean? To find out more
about this method, just continue reading.
What is dopamine and why is it important
for my memory?
Neurotransmitters are the on and off switches of our brain, and the more
scientists learn about then, the better we understand how our brains
work and what causes anything from forgetfulness to neurological
problems to mental illness. One of the 'lead actors' in our brains is
dopamine, a neurotransmitter produced in our brains that has been time
and time again linked to motivation and anticipation, as its levels
increase when you expect a reward, making you feel bliss and joy.
Like when you're trying hard to open a jar of pickles, and then, after
countless struggles with the lid, you finally succeed and get a crunchy
pickle that you could swear somehow tastes much better than an ordinary
pickle.
Low levels of dopamine, on the other hand, have been time and time
linked to mental illness and depression, with many treatments working
towards increasing the levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain.
Okay, but what about memories, how does dopamine influence those?
Research links the formation of episodic memories with high dopamine
levels, so the lack of this hormone in the brain may be the culprit
behind bad memory and even memory disorders like Alzheimer’s and
dementia. And though there are medical treatments that can increase the
amount of dopamine in the brain, scientists are currently looking into
games and other less invasive treatments that train your memory by
increasing your dopamine levels. We will discuss one of such treatments
below.
A recent study at Brown University showed how an unexpected reward in a computer game caused the formation of memories.
In this study, the researchers hypothesized
that an unexpected big win in the game will make them remember pictures
better, as it is known that dopamine levels rise the most in the
presence of unexpected results. The more surprising and thrilling the
victory, the believed, the more likely a person should be able to
remember something.
To test how well the participants remembered the pictures, they asked
almost 300 participants to select the pictures secretly associated with a
reward from a selection of similar pictures. They tested them twice,
first 5 minutes after the game, and then once more 24 hours later to see
if the memories were lasting.
The study found that, indeed, the participants managed to form more
vivid memories when they’ve seen an unexpected good outcome, and the
higher the risk of failure, the more likely were the participants to
remember. The researchers believe that this game can train the players’
memory and make it better long term, and they plan to test if people
with mental or physical conditions associated with low production of
dopamine will behave the same way healthy participants do.
In the meantime, it might be useful for you to know that you don’t have
to actually play this specific game to improve your memory. Any
unexpected positive reward, like finding a new favorite coffee shop,
accidentally stumbling upon a friend while grocery shopping, or even
winning in a card game you just learned will all improve your memory and
make you remember seemingly ordinary events more vividly and fondly.
Most definitely, this research motivates us to try new things, visit new
places and surprise yourself and others more often. What a beautiful
and inspiring message, don’t you agree?