There is very exciting research under way at the NIH and elsewhere right now, exploring the neuro-biology and neuro-psychology of memory, the workings of the brain, no longer necessarily synonymous with "mind". Paradigm-shifting work is being done in the area of memory and
emotions and stress, and many
scientists would now say these reside not only in our heads as previously believed...but in fact at a cellular level with information communicated constantly throughout the body via transmitters... peptides... One very interesting, very readable book on this subject is Candace Pert's, "Molecules of Emotion." (Dr. Pert is a bench scientist at Georgetown whose work is well-known, but she explains it in language for non-scientists.) Another great book, clearly explaining how it is that
stress can play such a tremendous role in our physical and mental health is "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers" by Robert M. Sapolsky. Also very readable and broken up into bite-size sections.
There is no need for us to
remember EVERYthing. Many of the zillions of insignificant or less-meaningful images and emotions we
experience are quickly forgotten. (Maybe not lost altogether but sort of stored "on microfiche" at a level we don't frequent. In fact traumatic events sometimes get express-routed there immediately, as in the case of the Central Park Jogger.) The
limbic system is a clearing house where we are believed to process emotions and images and determine which are 'just passing through' and which we'll retain for future reference. In the limbic system, the amiygdala is involved with conscious
emotional response to an event, positive or negative, and is responsible for the tension you feel when you smell smoke unexpectedly or a teary response to a Hallmark commercial. It is what says, "man in ski mask in dark alley = "danger". The hippocampus is strongly associated with memory as well. Significant emotional connections and particular emotional memories from ou! r childhood..or the birth of a baby...or a profound loss..can stay for a lifetime, while sometimes we can't remember where we left our keys! The limbic system and hypothalamus are responsible for sensory experience, pleasure, pain, attraction, revulsion, anxiety, etc. (You can see where stress might have impact on memory here!)
None of us is getting any younger chronologically, but there is also unprecedented work being done exploring how "inevitable" memory loss really is as part of healthy aging --in the absence of significant illness. Many factors come into play here including genetics and one's own attitudes, nutrition, fitness and expectations for aging. Belief systems strongly influence what becomes of us in life, and the quality of that life, whatever its challenges.
Every week there are new breakthroughs in this realm as scientists the world over, in governments and the private sector, race to complete sequencing the human genome and decode applications, and work with stem cells to generate tissue that may hold answers for example, for reversing some forms of paralysis, Alzheimers Disease, etc.. The possibilities are astounding (once all the serious ethical questions are ironed out, of course.) But for us...for now...there are strong suggestions that intentionally keeping the mind and body active, especially in senior years, (e.g. doing puzzles or hobbies, playing cards, making music, walking, reading or taking courses that interest us) may greatly enhance memory and quality of relationships. Like exercising a muscle...the "use it or lose it" principle.
So...making a point of avoiding stress where that is possible, and releasing the inevitable stress we experience-- on a regular basis and in various ways that are pleasurable and personally effective-- can in fact help us process and retain information we wish to access again more readily. Now....If we can just Remember to do that! (LOL) ?
More abstracts about the Stress and memory