The Study of Memory Improvement

There has been more than one study on how to improve memory and reasons for memory loss. Let’s review some causes for impaired memory.

Suppose you decide you need help enduring a nerve-racking airplane ride, so you swallow one of the calming, hypnotic prescription drugs designed for insomniacs and sufferers of panic attacks or anxiety. These are drugs like alprazolam, triazolam, or zolpidem. (One well-known drug that has become more popular just in the past few years is Ambien.) Unfortunately, a side effect of such a drug is a condition also known as ‘traveler amnesia’.

Normally, once a person stops the use of the prescription drug that caused the amnesia, memory begins to improve. Even though you should always be aware of the side effects of any drug, it is possible that something new will develop that wasn’t discovered in the study of the drug. Also, because each person is unique, a drug may cause a reaction only one person may experience.

Another study done on memory loss involves head trauma. This can lead to transient post concussive syndrome. Symptoms are mental dullness, poor memory, depressed mood, and headaches. These symptoms can last a few days or a few weeks. Often after a tragedy such as a vehicle accident that causes extensive head injury, the resulting concussion brings immediate mental confusion.

Other ways to obtain head trauma include hitting a head during a hard fall, something heavy falling on the head, or someone hitting your head with a hard object (accidentally, or during a fight).

There have been a large number of studies done regarding memory impairment caused by diseases or psychological problems. With a disease there is hope of improvement, depending on how far the disease has progressed before proper help was obtained. Also, science and technology constantly allow more information to be discovered. As for psychological problems, there is treatment for the underlying problems through psychiatric care, counseling, and medication. Often the memory can be used as a healing tool against itself, such as through reliving an event to better understand why memories were blocked.

An important thing to understand in many cases of memory impairment is that repetition may be crucial to positive progress. We must teach ourselves to do something over and over until we can unconsciously remember because of habit. Some people are creatures of habit and can only get through their days with the most success if they stick to their routines. Anything that deviates from their routine can cause anxiety and throw their mental balance off course significantly. Their routine becomes their mental and emotional security blanket.

Several types of animals have been used in laboratories as a basis to study memory improvement. Hence the old mouse in a maze routine! Dogs can be taught to win contests by their abilities to remember and follow set courses with obstacles. Orangutans have been taught to learn sign language because of their ability to grasp and remember. Lost cats have found their way home after extensive travel. So, the study of memory continues to amaze and confound science and the medical world!

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