An Insight to Human Memory

The brain is an interesting organ and is equipped with almost endless energy even when it is supposedly at rest. It is constantly busy and working and if we were able to hear the noise it makes while working it would sound like a factory at its busiest.  The brain seems to do it all. It keeps our organs functioning, supports our memories from remembering to their retrieval, etc. Some people compare the brain to a computer and this may be in part true as the brain functions by what we input into it as does our computer. The computer does what we program it to do. However, the brain does not require hardware and software to function as does the computer. With a little insight to human memory we will note that the brain does need good and healthy nutrition in order to function and thereby survive. 

The brain is very energetic and needs a diet rich in energy given foods such as certain fats called lipids and a group of fruits and vegetables called flavonoids. The most beneficial of the latter group are grapes, tea, cereal, fruit juices, wine and blueberries. As we age the retrieval of certain of our memories becomes more difficult.  Although a nutritious diet rich in lipids and flavonoids is not a remedy or cure for dementia it is beneficial to sustaining a good memory  An insight to human memory tells us that  besides a healthy and nutritious diet our brain needs exercise. As does our body need exercise to survive so does our brain. Not by jumping up and down and doing hand stands but by being used in ways we would not normally use our brain. For instance, if you are right handed then for a short period of time use your left hand instead. .If you eat with your right hand then for several meals use your left hand. The brain will need to amend its usual ways to adjust to your new way of eating. Doing things opposite of your usual routine is a good exercise for your brain as it gets out of the rut of its usual routine. Word games and number games are also a good exercise for your brain as you exercise it by thinking about the words and numbers in an attempt to win or conclude the game.  Reading and discussion groups are also a good way to exercise your brain and cause better memory. The old saying “use it or lose it” applies perfectly to the brain.

We mentioned that insight to human memory was akin to a computer’s memory as it applies to short term and long term memory of both the brain and the computer. Short term memory can be compared to the random access memory of the computer while long term memory can be compared to information stored on a computer disk.  Although, the brain is more complicated than our simple explanation, it serves the purpose.