How memories form and how we lose them | Catharine Young | TED-Ed Animation

The TED-Ed animation by Catharine Young, “How memories form and how we lose them,” explores how memories are formed and why they eventually fade. We learn that memories are first stored in short-term memory, then transferred to long-term memory through the hippocampus and other areas of the brain. Long-term potentiation, a process where neurons communicate repeatedly, is believed to be the mechanism for storing memories long-term. However, age, chronic stress, depression, and isolation can all lead to memory problems. This engaging talk on cognitive psychology is a reminder that it’s important to stay physically active, eat well, and challenge our brain with new experiences.