Memories - how can you forget

Memories! Ah, I wish I could pick and choose which ones to keep and which ones to remove. But it seems my mind likes to retain the memories that I don't want and forgets names, numbers, and people like they were the plague. Is there something you can do? How does your memory delete thoughts anyway?

To find out, we have to pry open the brain. Contained within are neurons. Neurons are cells that send messages to every part of your body. It is the same process used to retrieve memories.

Generally speaking, your brain stops making new neurons once you are born. There is an exception, though. In a part of your brain called the hippocampus, you continue to make new neurons.

The rate at which these neurons function is believed to be the key to keeping or losing memories. Allow me to explain.

Scientists believe that when your brain makes these new neurons, it helps you retain information. At the same time, the production of too many neurons resulted in a loss of memory.

So they experimented by stimulating the brain to make it produce more neurons. Interestingly, they found that exercise helped the process of making more neurons. Overproduction resulted in a reduction in memories.

Taking antidepressants was another way to increase the production of neurons, increasing the ability to forget and let go. It is for this reason that antidepressants are used when repetitive thoughts create stress and anxiety. So what should you do?

The first is to realise that it is possible to rewire your brain to forget. Purposefully, in this case. Perhaps the best course of action is to use exercise instead of an antidepressant.

However, there is still a catch. If you wish to eliminate a particular thought, it might have to be accompanied with other tools such as acceptance, meditation and forgiveness. 

Please write back to me on what you thought at Twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial. Follow my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/breatheagain