Why do old memories haunt us for years? Learn the science behind it.
There are many such memories in life that we want to forget but can’t forget even after trying, whether it is a scary accident with you or your breakup. Not only this, many times people fall into depression due to these memories. It also affects people’s physical and mental health. In such a situation, the question arises: why are we not able to erase these memories from our minds? In this report will we know what study scientists have done in this regard? We will also know where in the brain these memories reside.
A part of our brain called the ‘Amygdala’ controls emotions related to memories. The hippocampus of the brain is the area where memories are formed. When we go through a scary or painful experience, the amygdala stores that experience deep in the brain.
These memories reside in the “limbic system,” which is the part of the brain that manages our emotions and old memories. “Stress hormones” such as adrenaline and cortisol play an important role in this process. These hormones increase in situations of fear and stress, so memories of that experience remain in the mind for a long time.
What is the science of nostalgia?
Scientists believe that our brain retains painful memories as a safety mechanism to avoid such incidents in the future. However, it can also have a negative impact on our mental health. In many cases, due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), frightening memories come back to refresh these old wounds. Because of this the person remembers the same memories over and over again.
This image has been taken from social media platform ‘X’.
How are memories formed and where do they reside?
The “hippocampus” part of the brain is capable of storing memories in the brain. However, scientists have discovered that frightening memories reside in the “prefrontal cortex” (PFC) of the brain. This is the part of the brain responsible for making decisions and controlling behavior. These memories remain intertwined, forming a network in the mind. When a frightening experience occurs or a person returns to a frightening place, these memories are activated and begin to create chaos in the brain.
Revealed in a study with rats
Scientists conducted a study on a rat whose brain was specially designed. They gave him mild electric shocks and then left him in normal conditions. A month later, when the rat was returned to the same location, its prefrontal cortex activated. This shows that his terrifying memories had resurfaced.
Also Read: India made an indigenous telescope, know how it will compete with James Webb and the Hubble Space Telescope.
Photo credit (Uma Shankar Sharma/Moment/Getty Images)
According to neuroscientist Jun-Hyeong Cho, frightening memories alter memory circuits in the prefrontal cortex. This not only leads to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but also reduces the ability to remember good memories. This has a profound impact on mental health. In fact, because of this, a person can gradually fall into depression.
Increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder
Approximately 6% of the population in the United States suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. This condition occurs when a person repeatedly remembers frightening experiences and is affected mentally and physically. This study will help find new ways to treat PTSD and deal with fear.
Also read: Japan launches a wooden satellite, learn how the world of space will now change
Can memories be erased now?
This study has been published in the journal Nature Neuroscience and based on it, scientists are now trying to understand how this brain circuit can be fixed. Working in this direction will be an important step in improving mental health and solving problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Photo credit (SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images)
Memories also reside here, not in the mind.
Until now, scientists believed that our memories are stored only in our brain, but research has also changed this perception. Memories exist not only in the brain but also in normal cells of the body. This process is not an exception, but is observed in every cell of the body.
Also Read- Why does a hangover last for hours after drinking alcohol and what effect does it have on the brain? learn science
Scientists from New York University (NYU) discovered in research that the ability to learn through repetition is present in all cells in the body. This helps explain why taking breaks strengthens the learning process. This study may provide new ways to treat memory and learning problems in humans.
‘Learning’ is not just limited to the brain
Neuroscientist Nikolay Kukushkin says that learning and memory formation are not limited to just the brain and brain cells. Their research shows that other cells in the body can also store memories. According to Kukushkin, understanding this process could lead to more effective treatments for problems related to learning and memory.
Also Read- NASA is also worried about Sunita Williams’ sudden weight loss trapped in space, know the reason.
