The ability to remember. Memory is usually thought of as having 3 stages: registration, storage, and recall. In registration, information is perceived, understood, and stored in short-term memory. Unless they are constantly repeated, the contents of short-term memory are lost in minutes. In retention, important information is transferred into long-term memory and stored. Recall involves bringing information into the conscious mind at will.
Many factors determine how well something is remembered, including its familiarity and how much attention has been paid to it.
It is not known where in the brain the memory process takes place. However, the temporal lobe and limbic system may be involved. The mechanisms for storing memory are also unknown.
Most memory disturbances are due to failure at the retention or recall stage (see amnesia).
In some cases, the problem occurs at the registration stage.
Some people with temporal lobe epilepsy have uncontrollable flashbacks of distant past events.
The most common memory disorder is the normal difficulty in recall that develops with age.
More severe loss of memory may be an early symptom of dementia.
The capacity to remember. It is a complex process and probably occurs in many areas of the BRAIN including the LIMBIC SYSTEM and the temporal lobes. There are three main steps: registration, storage, and recall.
During registration, information from the sense organs and the cerebral cortex is put into codes for storage in the short-term memory system. The codes are usually acoustic (based on the sounds and words that would be used to describe the information) but may use any of the ?ve senses. This system can take only a few chunks of information at a time: for example, only about seven longish numbers can be retained and recalled at once – the next new number displaces an earlier one that is then forgotten. And if a subject is asked to describe a person just met, he or she will recall only seven or so facts about that person. This depends on attention span and can be improved by concentration and rehearsal – for example, by reciting the list of things that must be remembered.
Material needing storage for several minutes stays in the short-term memory. More valuable information goes to the long-term memory where it can be kept for any period from a few minutes to a lifetime. Storage is more reliable if the information is in meaningful codes – it is much easier to remember people’s names if their faces and personalities are memorable too. Using techniques such as mnemonics takes this into account.
The ?nal stage is retrieval. Recognising and recalling the required information involves searching the memory. In the short-term memory, this takes about 40-thousandths of a second per item – a rate that is surprisingly consistent, even in people with disorders such as SCHIZOPHRENIA.
Most kinds of forgetting or AMNESIA occur during retrieval. Benign forgetfulness is usually caused by interference from similar items because the required information was not clearly coded and well organised. Retrieval can be improved by recreating the context in which the information was registered. This is why the police reconstruct scenes of crimes, and why revision for exams is more e?ective if facts are learnt in the form of answers to mock questions.
Loss of memory or amnesia mainly affects long-term memory (information which is stored inde?nitely) rather than short-term memory which is measured in minutes. Short-term memory may, however, be affected by unconsciousness caused by trauma. Drivers involved in an accident may be unable to recall the event or the period leading up to it. The cause of amnesia is disease of or damage to the parts of the brain responsible for memory. Degenerative disorders such as ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, brain tumours, infections (for example, ENCEPHALITIS), STROKE, SUBARACHNOID HAEMORRHAGE and alcoholism all cause memory loss. Some psychiatric illnesses feature loss of memory and AGEING is usually accompanied by some memory loss, although the age of onset and severity vary greatly.
Memory is known to be one of human’s best possessions, due to its ability to keep information, and to render it whenever necessary.
Studies reveled that a balanced diet may help improve the memory, by boosting the brain’s activity. People should consume a few types of food in order to keep their mental processes active all the time: herbs, especially rosemary, herbal teas, fruit and vegetables (apples, blueberries, grapes, eggplant, red onion, broccoli, lettuce and spinach), fish and nuts and desserts sweetened with honey. The nutrients, polyphenols and anti-oxidant agents contained by these types of food are not made by the human body, but they are vital for the cognitive development.
As tea for Memory, Green tea and Ginkgo Biloba tea have proven their efficiency in dealing with a large array of memory-related ailments.
How Tea for Memory works
Tea for Memory usually improves memory, relaxing the mind and keeping it focused. Also, it may prevent memory loss.
Efficient Teas for Memory
Green Tea is said to be a tea for memory. It may boost mental alertness, by enhancing memory. An amino-acid contained by the plant’s leaves is responsible for reducing stress and promoting relaxation, thus improving the quality of sleep. The lack of sleep may cause serious ailments.
Nowadays, the extract of green tea is found in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and it is highly recommended in order to prevent this disease.
Green tea can also be taken as capsules.
To prepare Green Tea, addtwo grams of tea per 100ml of water, or one teaspoon of green tea per five ounce cup. You may drink it twice a day, sweetened or not.
Ginkgo Biloba tea has a long history in the Chinese traditional medicine. The extract stimulates blood and peripheral arterial circulation, successfully improving memory as well as mental alertness. Also, it is used as a supplement in Alzheimer’s disease.
To prepare Ginkgo Biloba tea, add a teaspoon of dried plant to a cup of boiling water. Steep it for 9-10 minutes. Strain it. Drink it slowly.
Tea for Memory: Side effects
Green tea may cause insomnia, agitation and palpitations if consumed after 5 p.m.
Ginkgo Biloba tea may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort and headaches. If these side effects occur, stop consuming the tea and ask your doctor’s advice.
Memory is a precious possession that people have and it is good to preserve it as long as possible. Both Green tea and Ginkgo Biloba tea are efficient as teas for memory, by improving the mental processes. They are also benefic in treating other diseases, due to their ingredients.... tea for memory
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