why do we forget?

Amidst the current frenzy of events, one might have observed an anomalous occurrence. Perhaps, each time you enter a room, you find yourself forgetting what you were seeking. Alternatively, you may have forgotten the title of the film that you watched last night. Those who have recently experienced an increase in forgetfulness beyond what is typically observed are most certainly not alone.

A number of psychological disorders, including anxiety, tension, and depression—three of which are undeniably exacerbated by the current state of affairs—are associated with forgetfulness. Nevertheless, if you have been experiencing feelings of forgetfulness, rest assured that despite the disconcerting nature of the moment, you will likely feel like your usual self once things begin to settle down a bit.

However, momentarily, or in times of general tension, forgetfulness is fairly typical, and it can have various implications for one's memory. An example of a short-term memory issue is when one opens a new tab in an internet browser and subsequently forgets the specific search term they were attempting to retrieve. When proteins in the brain endure chemical modifications that strengthen the connections between specific neurons, short-term memories are formed. Although brain cells are not physically interconnected, signals are transmitted between them via chemical pathways via molecules called neurotransmitters.

Furthermore, these pathways are modified during the formation of memories, facilitating the transport of neurotransmitters between particular clusters of neurons. This makes it simple to stimulate those clusters of neurons simultaneously. When one of them fires, the others are activated; the memory is the result of this group activation. However, anything retained for more than thirty seconds is stored in the long-term memory.

For instance, if you have not located the spectacles you wore yesterday, this indicates a problem with your long-term memory. Over time, long-term memories are formed. They involve actual physical changes in the cells of the brain, including the formation of novel connections, as opposed to short-term memories. A substantial portion of this occurs while you slumber, when the hippocampus of your brain replays recent experiences, thereby assisting neurons in forming the connections that will commit those experiences to memory. Regrettably, this means that inadequate sleep can impair one's ability to recall information from one day to the next.

However, the process of memory formation is also susceptible to the impact of other conditions the brain is undergoing; anxiety and tension are two major contributors. Acute tension and anxiety stimulate the production of hormones known as corticotropins, which instruct the body to execute specific actions, such as releasing the stress hormone cortisol. This is advantageous in situations where the body is required to react to a genuine emergency. However, prolonged exposure to these molecules may cause memory disruption. Corticotropin alters the morphology of dendrites as well. These are the neuronal branch-like structures that facilitate the transport of neurotransmitters between cells.

Consequently, intercellular transmission is diminished. This complicates the process by which neurons create the chemical pathways necessary for memory formation. Thus, if you have been experiencing a great deal of tension, it is possible that your brain has difficulty forming memories. However, it could also be experiencing difficulty retrieving them, given that anxiety generally impairs cognitive function. This induces a state of heightened vigilance in which we are more likely to focus on unimportant negative distractions, such as an irate stranger on Twitter or an upsetting email.

Moreover, allocating cognitive resources towards diversions significantly hinders the retrieval of information stored in memory. Memory impairment can also be exacerbated in individuals afflicted with depression, a condition that has also become more prevalent since the outbreak began. Depression disrupts memory formation and recall in a manner distinct from that of anxiety. In contrast to anxiety, which disrupts the intercellular exchange of neurotransmitters, depression is thought to decrease their quantity, particularly those that regulate mood, such as serotonin and dopamine.

Furthermore, the reduction in the number of neurotransmitters that travel between neurons further complicates the process of memory formation. Furthermore, akin to anxiety, depression may impede memory retrieval by diverting the brain's attention away from pertinent tasks, including those requiring memory recall, with depressive thoughts. Even further, this distraction may impair prospective memory, which is the capacity to recall actions to be performed in the future, such as calling an acquaintance or mailing a package to the post office. If you recognize any of this, understand that despite how aggravating it may feel, these are physiological reactions that occur naturally in the body during difficult times.

Nonetheless, the fact that something is natural does not mean that nothing can be done about it. In essence, addressing emotions of stress, anxiety, and depression through therapeutic interventions such as talk therapy, meditation, adequate rest, or as prescribed by a healthcare professional, can facilitate the identification and resolution of underlying causes. Such interventions may contribute to a gradual restoration of one's memory.