Why am I not able to remember things for a long time?

Trouble with total recall can come from many physical and mental conditions not related to aging, like dehydration, infections, and stress. Other causes include medications, substance abuse, poor nutrition, depression, anxiety, and thyroid imbalance.

How can I remember things for a long time?

Try these seven ways to enhance your total recall:

1. Convert words to pictures.
2. Use memory spots.
3. Stacking.
4. Use rhymes.
5. Use mnemonic devices.
6. Work specifically on names.
7. Use pictorial storage to remember lists of items.

How can I improve my long term memory for studying?

These 11 research-proven strategies can effectively improve memory, enhance recall, and increase retention of information.

1. Focus Your Attention.
2. Avoid Cramming.
3. Structure and Organize.
4. Utilize Mnemonic Devices.
5. Elaborate and Rehearse.
6. Visualize Concepts.
7. Relate New Information to Things You Already Know.
8. Read Out Loud.

What is retrieval in memory?

Memory retrieval, including recall and recognition, is the process of remembering information stored in long-term memory.

Is it possible to remember something you forget?

While the information is somewhere in your long-term memory, you are not able to actually retrieve and remember it. Psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus was one of the first to scientifically study forgetting. In experiments where he used himself as the subject, Ebbinghaus tested his memory using three-letter nonsense syllables.

Why is it so hard to remember things I learned recently?

Things you learned only recently — like a name at a party — are the hardest to remember, because they haven’t yet taken root in your mind. Also, your brain has only so much storage space. It needs to make room for new, useful items.

Why can’t I remember words I know?

You know the word you’re trying to say, but you can’t quite retrieve it from memory. It usually happens when several similar memories interfere with each other. A 2011 study, published in the journal Brain Research, showed that elderly participants had to activate more areas of the brain to perform a memory task than the study’s young subjects.

Should I talk to my doctor about my memory lapses?

If that’s happening, you should consult your doctor. Your lapses may well have very treatable causes. Severe stress, depression, a vitamin B-12 deficiency, insufficient sleep, some prescription drugs and infections can all play a role. Even if those factors don’t apply to you, your memory isn’t completely at the mercy of time.