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How to improve Brain and Memory!

31 December 2018

How to improve Brain and Memory!


By Erik Bredemeyer


Why is it that you can’t remember the title of the new TV show you started watching on Netflix and wanted to tell your coworker about?

We remember things because they either stand out, they relate to and can easily be integrated in our existing knowledge base, or it’s something we retrieve, recount or use repeatedly over time, explains Sean Kang, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Education at Dartmouth College, whose research focuses on the cognitive psychology of learning and memory. “The average layperson trying to learn nuclear physics for the first time, for example, will probably find it very difficult to retain that information.” That’s because he or she likely doesn’t have existing knowledge in their brain to connect that new information too.


And on a molecular level neuroscientists suspect that there’s actually a physical process that needs to be completed to form a memory and us not remembering something, is a result of that not happening, explains Blake Richards, DPhil, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.


In the same way that when you store a grocery list on a piece of paper, you are making a physical change to that paper by writing words down, or when you store a file on a computer, you’re making a physical change somewhere in the magnetization of some part of your hard drive — a physical change happens in your brain when you store a memory or new information.


 “So the ultimate question, at the cellular level, as to whether or not a memory gets stored [in the brain] is does that process actually complete properly,” he explains. “Do all of the molecular signals get transmitted to ensure that that cell changes physically?”


So there are strategies for better organizing what may at first glance appear to be unrelated information to connect it to what we already know to help us better remember things, according to Kang and others. But as far as changing the physical processes in the brain that make memories stick, there’s likely not much you can do now to affect that, Richards says. And that’s probably a good thing, he adds!




In a recent paper, Richards and his colleague Paul Frankland, PhD, senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children and Fellow at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, looked at previous studies that have investigated the physical changes in the brain associated with memory — and why sometimes that process completes and sometimes it does not. “We found that there’s a variety of mechanisms the brain uses — and actually invests energy in — that undo and override those connections, ultimately cause us to forget information,” Richards says.


And that would mean that some “forgetting” is actually a very natural and normal process, rather than a “failure” of our memory, Richards says. “Our brains may want us to remember the gist of what we’ve experienced because that will be most adaptive for making decisions in the real world.”


For example, let’s say you remember a friend’s phone number, but that friend moves away and gets a new phone number. Remembering the old number becomes useless and may make it more difficult to remember your friend’s new number.


“It’s not the case that as much forgetting as possible is good, obviously,” he says. “But at the same time it may not be the case that as much remembering as possible is always the best course either.”



Our memories are an integral part of who we are, but as we age our memory declines. For many older adults, the decline becomes so serious that they’re no longer able to live independently, which is one of the biggest fears adults have as they age.
The good news is that scientists have been learning more about our brain’s amazing capacity to change and grow new neural connections each day, even in old age. This concept is known as neuroplasticity. Through research on neuroplasticity, scientists have discovered that our memory capacity isn’t fixed, but rather malleable like plastic. To take full advantage of neuroplasticity, you’ll need to exercise your brain and take care of your body. There are certain nutrients out there that can have a beneficial effect on brain function. Many of them can enhance memory, improve attention, focus, and concentration, boost alertness and motivation, and increase clarity and creativity.


15 responses to “How to improve Brain and Memory!”

  1. Shweta MG says:

    The foundation for long term memory is in axonal inter-connectivity within the Grey matter of brain, more specifically the dendrites of the axons that shoot action potential signals with the aid of trans synaptic neurotransmitters. The myelin sheathing of the axons matter in it’s conduction potential and more interestingly, is how would we know which ingredients, but you are one step ahead you already addressed this information in the next succeeding articles. You broke down the main brain power foods and might you add some recommendations that you feel you gravitate to also? we could all use your version of Rocket fuel 🙂

    Dr.Shweta MG (BDs)

  2. Sujandar Mahesan says:

    Wow so many points have been laid out in this article about brain memory. It was really interesting for me to read this because it lists out the popular problem that including me everyone in their lives face. Thank you so much for posting this article about brain memory and how to overcome it.

    • Erik says:

      Thank you Sujandar and I am glad you liked the posts! Yes, I agree with you it is an amazing topic and or niche. So much of our brain is still mysterious and keeping it healthy like we do with our bodies should be on everyone’s mind.

  3. Nancy says:

    Very interesting article.

    It’s interesting how the mind holds on to information. I’m 47 years old and I can still remember my phone number from when I was a kid. (No one in my family has had that number for many, many years).

    Do you have any recommendations for specific brain exercises to help keep our minds fresh? Is just doing a crossword puzzle enough or playing a puzzle game on my phone?

    • Erik says:

      Hi Nancy, I can relate to you, I still remember my parents phone number and even my grandparents and that was like 30 years ago when they had these numbers! However, sometimes I cannot remember the place or restaurant where we ate a few months ago, but I do remember these old phone numbers! It’s so weird, right? Why does my brain storages information but chooses to forget others? The brain is very mysterious to me! To answer your question about what the best ways are to keep your brain active and healthy, I think the number one thing would be-simple exercise! The benefits of exercise comes directly from its ability to reduce insulin resistance, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the release of growth factors—chemicals in the brain that affect the health of your brain cells. It supports the growth of new blood vessels in your brain and it helps and grows the abundance and survival of new brain cells. So when you go out for a run and or hit the gym and you do some cardio work, or even going out for a walk outside, all these and eating healthy will support and keep your mind sharp and healthy and along with that, I recommend taking vitamins and brain supplements on a daily level.


  4. Babsie Wagner says:

    I’ve been looking into some supplements for the brain.  I take a lot for the body, and even though my memory is good now, I’m all about prevention and taking care of everything.  I have several friends who seem, as we are aging, to not be able to remember simple things, even plans we make.  I find myself having to tell them to put it in their calendar so they don’t forget.  Perhaps I can recommend your site to them to help them out, and I’m definitely going to give the Ciltep a try!  Thanks!

    • Erik says:

      Hello Babsie and thank you for your interest! Yes, I don’t think you will be disappointed if you try this product or one of the others I have posted and blogged about. To me and many others, they are amazing and work very well. Ciltep is one of the best products out there, so let me know what you think once you have tried it!

  5. Dylan says:

    Hi Erik, great post! My grandmother says that she has started forgetting things and the research on neuroplasticity is really good news and it gives me hope. Have brain supplements been proven to increase the amount of neural connections in the brain and really improve its function? Do you have any suggestions as to how one can effectively exercise the brain?

  6. Hi Erik. Thanks for all the info.

    You wrote in a way that you kept my curiosity. It is good to know that forgetting things does not mean we are getting older. 🙂
    Also that there are some things to help us out like neuroplasticity. But what is it? How can it help us?

    What can we do so we can remember the important things in life?
    Thanks in advance for answering.

    • Erik says:

      Hello Mary-Ann, thank you for your interest! I agree with you that getting older is not always fun and it’s something that we all have to experience and deal with unfortunately. One of the things that always have fascinated me was why our brain behaves the way it does in certain situations and that is where the word neuroplasticity comes tp my mind! So basically Neuroplasticity, also called brain plasticity, is the process in which your brain’s neural synapses and pathways are altered as an effect of environmental, behavioral, and neural changes! So without getting too technical, your brain’s makeup changes, when it’s exposed to new information, so that it may retain that information for you. Basically neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt in your current environment. Our brains are truly amazing!

  7. Riaz Shah says:

    Ciltep sounds awesome Erik,

    I realised that since last year, my brain function is getting slower as my reflexes aren’t as fast as they used to, I don’t feel as easily excited as I did last time and also, I tend to forget things much faster than I used to. Will taking supplements increase back my functionality, or am I just facing age issues since I’m turning 29 this year?

    • Erik says:

      Hi Riaz, you are still so young, I turned 48 last year, but to me once I started taking brain supplements on a daily base I noticed right away these type of changes in myself and I can only speak for myself of course..
      I was much more focused and alert, it’s different then drinking coffee or energy drinks, you are more alert but you are not feeling hyper and or jittery, if that makes sense. I play tennis a lot and so reflexes and being quick to respond is my part of sport! I definitely feel and still do that I play much better tennis when I am on these supplements. I am also much more motivated and have more energy during the day. I think if your brain feels healthy then your body will too, thank you for your interest!

  8. emman says:

    Hi Erik,

    Very well written article. You have informed me how our mind is performing. Especially in memorizing stuff that ourselves encounter from day to day lives. I did check this Ciltep in amazon.. Its good to know that these capsules are made od natiral ingredients. Because I’m thinking the only way our mind can improve and enhance its performance (temporarily) is by drugs. What you think about this?

    Can you make an article about Ciltep so I can thoroughly understand this product.. Thanks in advance. 

    • Erik says:

      Hello and thank you for your feedback and interest about Ciltep! I have been taking brain supplements on a daily base now since 2016 and for me personally, one of the best supplements there is on the market is Ciltep! I wanted a nootropic to help keep me on top of my game and in 2016, I noticed a lack of concentration and or focus on myself and I thought back then that this was a lack of coffee, but after drinking more and more coffee and still having difficulties focusing on my tasks at work, I started taking Ciltep and also tried other products. Of the ones I tried, Ciltep is by far one of the best brain supplements and it is now an integral part of my morning routine. I take three pills with a cup of coffee every morning. My job requires me to make critical decisions in a matter of seconds, and there’s a noticeable difference in my job performance on days where I have taken Ciltep versus the days I don’t. Now, I do take and try other nootropics too and I like to switch them around every few weeks, but Ciltep gives me a heightened sense of alertness without making me jittery like some other nootropics or when drinking too much coffee. I find that I am able to think far more clearly especially early in the mornings, where I would normally be a little foggy and it takes me a long time to just wake up. If you haven’t tried brain supplements yet, then I would start with Ciltep, it is a good brand and I can highly recommend it!

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