Do memories alter when we recall them?

Each time the message is relayed, some parts might be misheard or misunderstood, others might get innocently altered, improved, or forgotten. Research shows that when we describe our memories differently to different audiences it isn’t only the message that changes, but sometimes it’s also the memory itself.

Do memories get overwritten?

Then, and only then, did the new memories overwrite their old ones. It takes a while for the memory to become strengthened anew, through a process called reconsolidation. Memories aren’t just written once, but every time we remember them.

Can you trust your own memory?

Research shows we can’t trust our own memories. Many of us probably think that our individual experiences (sights, sounds, and feelings) are saved intact in our brains. Your memory is not an exact recording of what happened and, no matter how well or how vividly you remember something, it may not be accurate.

Why do I have flashbacks of random memories?

After experiencing a distressing event, people can develop memory disturbances where they re-experience the event in the form of flashbacks – distressing vivid images that involuntarily enter consciousness, as happens in post-traumatic stress disorder.

Can your brain rewrite memories?

This is called ‘memory consolidation’. Instead, throughout our lives, our brains are constantly updating our memories with new information. This occurs through a process of the destabilization of the wiring of those neurons that store a particular memory.

Why does our brain rewrite memories?

In the video Phelps explains that our memories can change because each time we revisit them they become vulnerable. When we first lay down a memory, it takes the brain a little while to solidly store the information—a process called consolidation.

Why do I always dwell on the past?

When people ruminate, they overthink or obsess about situations or life events. ‘The process of dwelling on past events that can’t be changed is called rumination,’ says Eék. ‘Some people are more likely to experience this than others, especially if they have an anxiety-prone personality. ‘