Formation of Memories

Science recommends that long-term memories aren’t kept in a single place but, somewhat, in huge networks of nerve cell pathways.

Every memory begins as a “spark” in the brain prompted when we receive input from our senses. This spark becomes an electrical signal as it travels from neuron to neuron. Each memory forges a unique pathway among the billions upon billions of neurons in the brain, as if blazing a new trail through a dense forest.

As the information passes from one neuron to the next, it jumps across gaps called synapses, with the help of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. Neurotransmitters are vital to memory-and, unfortunately, we produce less of them as we age.

But by continuing to challenge our brains to learn new skills and information, we can form more and more dendrites, which help keep our brains young and active.

Work hard enough or long enough at a given type of memory and your brain will grow and adjust in other ways, also.

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