Memory loss can scare many people because it may represent an age-related decline and a loss of cognitive function.

That sense of fear is totally natural because memory is important, and without it, we can experience a loss of cognitive performance that may diminish our work capacity and overall success.

Understanding how memory works will empower you to take action in maintaining optimal capacity. The first step is to understand that the power of memory is highly dependent on the health of the brain.

This article is going to give you a brief rundown on how memory works along with suggestions for some memory improvement supplements. Also included at the end are some Tips & Tricks that will give information on tweaking your lifestyle for ultimate brain (and memory) performance.

Contents

Where are memories stored in the brain?

What Causes Memory Loss?

4 Tips to Treat Memory Loss

Frequently asked questions

Where are memories stored in the brain?

Every day you place your keys in a place where you (most often) expect to find them before leaving the house again the next day.

When you tie your shoes you seem to know the steps automatically.

While taking a coffee break from work, you are able to get to the coffee shop without thinking much about the direction.

How? What makes these memories so easy to remember?

The answer lies in the fact that there are different types of memories, and that these memories are stored in different interconnected regions of the brain. The importance and location of memories affect our ability to recall them.

What Are The Different Types of Memory?

All the information that we recall is some type of memory and its importance determines if the brain classifies it as either a short or long-term memory.

Short-Term Memory

Short-term memories are created when information first enters the brain. Depending on their level of importance and usefulness, these memories either get discarded or transferred to long-term memory.

One example of short-term memory is if someone asks you to read a phone number from a sign while they record it on their phone. Most people the next day would have instantly forgotten that information because it was no longer important. Besides being referred to as “short term”, this type of memory is also called “working memory”.

While some “short-term” memories are very important, it’s easy to forget them in the modern world full of distractions, beeps and buzzes. This is helpful to remember because memory loss for a lot of people today could be a consequence of “too much information”.

Long-term Memory

Long-term memory is information our brain deemed to be “important”, and can last for a few days or for many years.

“Importance” can be thought of as the degree of usefulness or emotional impact. Some people may not remember what they had for lunch yesterday while others remember the dinner served at their wedding down to the brand of wine.

Long-term memory is also divided into both explicit and implicit memory with explicit memories being specific facts we consciously think about like dates or events. Implicit memories on the other hand are more “unconscious” and things we do automatically like walking to the store or driving a car.

What Causes Memory Loss?

Memory loss can result from issues affecting the brain stemming from physical, mental and emotional causes. Our environment is also continuously changing and demanding more of our attention, which can cause the machinery of the brain to “wear out” and affect our memory. This is probably the most common cause of memory loss given the busy world we live in.

Other common causes of memory loss include:

  • Head injuries/trauma
  • Sleep deprivation/insomnia
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Smoking (marijuana, cigarettes, etc.)
  • Nutritional deficiencies (fat/protein)
  • Medications (anti-anxiety medications, tranquillizers, antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, pain relievers, sleeping pills, etc.)

4 Tips to Treat Memory Loss (+ 4 Memory Booster Supplements for Students)

Treating memory loss is most effective if the health of the entire brain is taken into account. Below are four tips to get you started on a balanced approach to maximum brain health and increased memory power. The first three are lifestyle-related and the final one has some suggestions on memory pills that can help college students (and anyone else that needs a boost to their memory capacity).

1. Get Enough Sleep 

Sleep is a time for the brain to rest and regenerate. Running the brain in high gear will eventually result in burnout and sleep is what counteracts this effect.

2. Eat Enough Fat

The brain is made of fat and needs fat to function. A brain running on a high-carb diet full of glucose leads to sugar highs and lows and “brain fog”. Good sources of fat include butter, fish oil, olive oil and avocados.

3. Exercise & Oxygenate

Brains need oxygen like all other body parts. While no single type of exercise works for all people, walking and taking stairs whenever we can is always a good thing – especially throughout the workday or in between long study sessions.

4. Memory and Brain Supplements for Students

Supplementation works best after the fundamentals are in place.

Here are our top four memory supplements that can help students perform their best:

Magnesium L-Threonate – A specialty proprietary form of magnesium, magnesium L-Threonate is formulated to pass the blood-brain barrier of the brain to boost neuroplasticity.

Reduced Glutathione – Found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and meats, glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize harmful free radicals.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom – Used in traditional Eastern medicine, the lion’s mane mushroom has been prescribed to improve cognition through Increased oxygen flow.

Ashwagandha – Part of Ayurvedic medicine in India for hundreds of years, ashwagandha is thought to reduce stress and cortisol levels, and optimise rest and regeneration.

While all of these supplements can be taken safely as part of an overall health plan it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor first.

FAQ

Which supplement is best for students?

Gingko Biloba and valerian type students will reduce stress and anxiety for students

How to handle stress during exams

Magnesium Threonate passes the blood-brain barrier of the brain to boost neuroplasticity and will get you more focused.

What is the best brain supplement on the market for students?

Reduced Glutathione, Magnesium L-Threonate, Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Ashwagandha are the top 4 supplements to take for students