found that when people are studying vocabulary, they remember more when they draw the definition, in comparison to writing it. this is thought to be because drawing uses 3 different types of memory- elaborative, motor, and pictorial. the benefit of using pictures to enhance memory is even seen at an older age, including in dementia patients. techniques to improve memory: visual memory method of loci is a technique utilized for memory recall when to-be-remembered items are associated with different locations that are well known to the learner. method of loci is one of the oldest and most effective mnemonics based on visual imagery. the more you exercise your visual memory through using objects to recall information better memory recall you will have. the locations that are utilized when using the method of loci aids in the effectiveness of memory recall. for example, using the location of a driving route to work is more effective than using a room within a home because items in a room can be moved around while a route to work is more constant without items being moved around. there are limitations when using method of loci, it is difficult to recall any given item without working your way through the list sequence, which can be time consuming. another limitation is that it is not useful when an individual is trying to learn and remember the real world. this mnemonic technique plus others are effective because they allow the learner to apply their own knowledge to enhance their memory recall. psychopharmacology further information: nootropics psychopharmacology is the scientific study of the actions of drugs and their effects on mood, sensation, thought, and behavior. evidence that aspects of memory can be improved by action on selective neurotransmitter systems, such as the cholinergic system which releases acetylcholine, has possible therapeutic benefits for patients with cognitive disorders. findings from studies have indicated that acute administration of nicotine can improve cognitive performance (particularly tasks that require attention), short-term episodic memory and prospective memory task performance. chronic usage of low-dose nicotine in animals has been found to increase the number of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nachrs) and improve performance on learning and memory tasks. short-term nicotine treatment, utilising nicotine skin patches, have shown that it may be possible to improve cognitive performance in a variety of groups such as normal non-smoking adults, alzheimer's disease patients, schizophrenics, and adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. similarly, evidence suggests that smoking improves visuospatial working memory impairments in schizophrenic patients, possibly explaining the high rate of tobacco smoking found in people with schizophrenia. diet food and memory may be connected. while no link has been isolated to prove a direct connection between diet and memory, there are several correlational studies to support the theory that food may affect memory. some foods may be tied to improving cognitive function. foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids have shown a correlation with improvements in memory and brain maintenance because they increase the brain’s cell membranes. foods high in omega-3s include some fish and seafood, plant oils, seeds, and nuts. some of the b vitamins may also be associated with the brain and the decrease in the likelihood of the development of alzheimer’s disease. vitamin b6 can be found in high quantities in fish, organ meats like liver, starches, and fruits. it is the combination of these foods and their nutrients that seems to have the greatest impact on the brain. some diets incorporate many of these foods and are therefore may be considered as a potential diet for helping brain functions like memory. the mediterranean diet is the strongest contender for one of these diets that may be beneficial to the brain, but the data on the connection between memory and diet is not as certain as data on a diet that is known to be good for the heart. some of the foods that are recommended in the mediterranean diet are the same as ones already mentioned here such as fish, nuts, oil, fruits, and vegetables. this diet also recommends whole grains (a good source of vitamin e) and limiting the amount of red meat consumed. free radicals are a threat to memory processes because they cause oxidative stress. antioxidants combat the effects that free radicals cause. it appears that foods that are high in antioxidants can provide the extra help that is needed in order to combat free radicals. plant foods have antioxidants and seem to be more effective than their supplemental drug counterparts most likely because of the way the other nutrients contained within the food item combine to work in the body along with the antioxidant. fruits and vegetables make the list of antioxidants alongside seafood, seeds, nuts, and protein sources like beef and poultry. vitamin e is an antioxidant, and like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin e can also be found in seeds and nuts, plant oils, and fruits and vegetables. in support of fruits and vegetables and their possible connection to aiding memory, a study found that men who ate more fruits and vegetables over the course of four years performed better on memory tests than the men who did not eat as many servings of fruit and vegetables daily. flavonoids may also help with preserving memory by protecting neurons in the brain and promoting regeneration. some examples of foods with flavonoids are dark colored berries and dark chocolate. while not a true element of diet, chewing on a piece of gum may also help to improve certain elements of episodic and working memory.healthy fruits and vegetables there is some evidence glucose consumption may have a positive impact on memory performance, though not in young adults. stress management meditation:attending to a flame meditation, a form of mental 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