Unlock the Secrets of Memory: A Journey to Better Recall and Retention with Dr. Andrew Budson and Dr. Elizabeth Kensinger

One of the most frustrating aspects of the human experience is forgetting. It can be infuriating to struggle with remembering something you want to recall while effortlessly remembering things you wish you could forget. Forgetting people’s names is a common challenge for many of us, despite our best efforts. Additionally, it can be disheartening to study extensively for an exam only to struggle with recalling the material during the actual test.

In this episode of On The Point, we delve into these questions and more with Dr. Andrew Budson and Dr. Elizabeth Kensinger, authors of the new book “Why We Forget, and How to Remember Better.” Their book aims to address these common memory-related queries and provide insights on how to enhance our memory capabilities. Hosted by Mindy Todd, the discussion focuses on strategies to improve memory and understand the intricacies of why we forget certain things.

By identifying the underlying mechanisms of memory, Dr. Budson and Dr. Kensinger offer practical tips to help us remember better in various aspects of our lives. In their book, they explain that one key factor in forgetting is how information is encoded in our minds. To improve memory retention, it’s essential to use multiple senses when encoding information and create strong associations between what we’re trying to remember and something else that’s memorable or meaningful to us.

Another important aspect of memory is retrieval – how we access stored information when we need it later on. Dr. Budson and Dr. Kensinger suggest that one way to improve retrieval is by creating a mnemonic device or association that helps us connect what we’re trying to remember with something else that makes sense or resonates with us.

Overall, their advice is simple yet effective: pay attention when learning new information; use multiple senses when encoding; create strong associations; review regularly; use mnemonic devices or associations for retrieval; get enough sleep; exercise regularly; manage stress levels; and stay mentally active.

By following these tips and understanding more about how our brains process and store information, we can improve our memories in various aspects of our lives – from everyday tasks like remembering appointments or shopping lists to more challenging situations like studying for exams or dealing with stressful events.