We\'ve probably all heard of short and long term memory, but what exactly is it? How does the brain go about creating memory? Without trying to get too technical, here\'s a rough overview.

First of all we need to get a working definition of both short term and long term memory. Short term memory is the part of the brain that holds information, events, etc. for a brief period of time. The exact amount of time is something still debated by scientists. It also has limited capacity. Most studies have found that the amount of data that can be held in short term memory is between 5 and 9 items. This could be individual number or words or images....the relative complexity of the item is not as much a factor as is the quantity.

Short term memory fills a few purposes. It acts as a holding place for data that we need for something we are currently working on or processing. For example, if someone just told you their phone number and you then go and enter it into your cell\'s phone book...ideally without asking them to repeat....then you held the \"data\" of the number in your short term memory while your fingers typed it into the cell.

Short term memory is also a filter of sorts. Our minds are constantly receiving input from all of our senses all the time. Short term memory is where we pull in the things we want to immediately concentrate on while the rest is filtered out. Short term memory is also where we put data that we\'ve pulled out of the storage part of our brain that we need to use for an immediate purpose.

When comparing short term vs. long term memory, long term is what experts generally call the main storage place for memory. It is the memory in which we keep what we had for lunch that day or the memory of going to Disneyland the first time as a kid. It is where things are kept for indefinite periods of time. It also seems to have indefinite capacity.

Short and long term memory work together in the process of how we form memories and use our minds. Items are immediately picked up and worked on in short term memory and then it can be processed and \"transferred\" to long term memory.

The process of how exactly short term and long term memory engage in this function is still being researched. Our understanding of it is a work in progress. However, we do know that certain things make it more likely that information will move from one to the other.

The movement between short and long term memory works by what scientists call encoding. This is the process by which you (consciously or unconsciously depending on the circumstances) take items that are selected for long term storage and create the neural connections necessary to \"transfer\" that data into storage. If an item is not encoded then it is forgotten once it is dumped from short term memory.

Data usually makes the trip between short term and long term memory by a number of encoding processes. First, repetition of an item in short term memory will increase the chances that the proper neural connections will be formed for it to move into long term storage. Second, if the brain can make associations between something in short term memory with something already in long term memory then the brain is more likely to retain the item.

There are many other things that can impact how items get retained. Emotions associated with the item can affect how likely it well be remembered. Familiarity, interest, usefulness, etc. all impact how well things are encoded and stored in the brain.

Short and long term memory work together to help us created the memories we keep. Understanding this process is more than just informative. As scientists uncover more about how this process works, the more we can work to enhance this ability or repair it if damaged. Already, studies are showing how diet, exercise and natural herbs can improve this process of creating memories. We have only just begun to understand this part of our brains.

J. Wall has an avid interest in natural remedies for the treatment of memory loss. He is a regular contributor to the Enhancing Memory section of http://www.memory-enhancement-guide.com, a site dedicated to improving mental ability and cognitive function.

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