Feb 24, 2025

Can You Really Trust Your Memory? The Surprising Truth About How It Works

NewsPoint

Memories Are Not Perfect Recordings

Unlike a camera, the brain does not store memories as exact copies. Instead, it reconstructs events based on experiences, emotions, and biases, meaning details can be altered or lost over time.

Image Source: Lexica

The Brain Fills In Gaps

When recalling a memory, the brain often fills in missing details with assumptions. This process, known as confabulation, can make people believe in completely false or exaggerated versions of events.

Image Source: Lexica

Memories Can Be Altered

Studies show that even subtle suggestions can change how people remember events. This is known as the misinformation effect, where misleading details introduced later can reshape original memories.

Image Source: Lexica

Emotions Shape Memory

Strong emotions, whether positive or negative, influence how we encode and recall memories. While emotional events are often remembered vividly, the details may still be inaccurate or exaggerated.

Image Source: Lexica

Every Recall Alters The Memory

Each time you recall a memory, your brain rewrites it slightly. This means memories change over time, incorporating new information or becoming distorted, sometimes without you realising it.

Image Source: Lexica

False Memories Feel Real

The brain can create entirely false memories that feel just as real as genuine ones. Studies show people can be convinced they experienced things that never actually happened through repeated exposure to false information.

Image Source: Lexica

Memory & Perception Are Linked

Our memories are shaped by how we perceive events at the moment. Factors like attention, focus, and expectations influence what we remember, sometimes causing us to miss or misinterpret crucial details.

Image Source: Lexica

Stress & Sleep Affect Memory

High stress and lack of sleep impair memory formation and recall. Stress hormones can interfere with encoding, while deep sleep is crucial for consolidating and strengthening long-term memories.

Image Source: Lexica

Shared Memories Can Be Unreliable

Group discussions can lead to memory distortions. Hearing others’ versions of an event can influence and even overwrite personal recollections, leading to collective false memories.

Image Source: Lexica

Memories Fade & Distort Over Time

Even well-remembered events can degrade over time. Details blur, mix with new experiences, and become less reliable. The more time passes, the more likely a memory is to be inaccurate.

Image Source: Lexica

Thanks For Reading!

Next: 10 Stunning Flowers to Plant This Spring for a Vibrant Garden

Find out More