How Good Is Your Memory?

Have you ever spent ten minutes looking for the glasses that were on the top of your head? How about coming to an unceremonious halt half way through a sentence when you realize you can’t remember what the hell you were talking about? And what about wasting hours of your life looking for car keys that weren’t where you just know you left them.

The fact is, as we get older events like those seem to become more and more frequent. Everybody knows that our cognitive function isn’t going to be quite as good at 50 as it was at 20. The body breaks down and the brain declines as we age and that’s just how the cookie crumbles.

But what if it weren’t like that? What if that were merely a belief that we turn into a self-fulfilling prophesy?

If you put on twenty five pounds of weight the evidence is there for all to see. You can see yourself in a mirror, feel those clothes getting tighter and watch the frowns from family members when you start complaining the portion sizes are too small in The Cheesecake Factory. You can kid yourself for a time, but eventually you have to accept you’re no longer ripped like the side of beef you undoubtedly once were.

Knowing you are putting weight on, can, if you allow it to, act as a call to action. Of course millions of people decline to act, but that isn’t because they aren’t aware they’re overweight. More importantly, it’s also not because they don’t know what to do to lose weight either. Everybody knows that for the vast majority of people a good balanced diet with regular exercise is going to eventually lead to stable and healthy weight. It’s really not that complicated and it’s definitely not brain surgery.

Unfortunately, cognitive decline can be a lot less obvious, a lot more insidious and is very often presumed to be just a natural part of the aging process. To make matters worse, many people are embarrassed by the symptoms of decline such as failing memory, loss of focus and lack of energy and install coping strategies to help hide their shortcomings.

One such coping strategy is avoidance behavior. In terms of memory, this may mean making lists rather than trying to learn information or saying no to a social invitation rather than having to deal with remembering peoples names.

If you broke your leg and had to have it set in plaster for several weeks, what do you think would happen? When the plaster came off do you think the leg would be exactly as you left it?

No, of course not. If you are a women there is a good chance it would probably be a damn site hairier than when you last saw it and if you are Caucasian probably somewhat paler too. But more importantly, the muscle would have atrophied and you would need to partake in some physical therapy to build it back up to the previous level.

Now if you think about your brain as a muscle that needs exercise just as much as the rest of your body, you’re on to something. In the same way you can’t sit still in a chair and expect to be building huge quads, you can’t improve your brain and memory by avoiding using it. In fact, you do the complete opposite because the less you use it the more the neural networks atrophy and die and the more your recall and associated functions worsen.

After a great debate in the comments field of ‘When is a Habit Not a Habit‘ post and at the recommendation of Maureen, I ordered a copy of ‘The Brain That Changes Itself’ by Norman Doidge. A fascinating and excellent book for sure and one that really opened my eyes to the potential of the human brain and what we can do at an individual level to maintain our own cognitive abilities.

The part that jumped out as me was the research that suggests there seems to be no real reason (drug and alcohol abuse notwithstanding) for the brain to deteriorate like it does in most people. And the predominant cause is through the lack of the right kind of stimulation, and not because of how old somebody is.

There were a number of references to the break through work in brain plasticity of Dr. Michael Merzenich and the company he founded called Posit Science. Posit Science with the help of specially designed software were supposedly not just slowing down mental decline in people, but actually reversing it. Here is what they say on their website:

“Posit Science cognitive training programs take a different approach to brain fitness than other companies. They don’t just drill memory or teach compensatory tricks. Instead, they target important roots of memory and thinking—the ability of the brain to absorb information from the senses. We do this because the quality with which your brain sees and hears has a direct relationship with how quickly you think, how much information you take in, and how well you remember.”

I must admit that my memory isn’t that great and it’s definitely not as good as it was fifteen years ago or more. Like the fact I now wear glasses when only three or four years ago I didn’t, I just presumed this was yet another unwelcome indication that no matter how many times I say ‘dude’ or go into Abercrombie and Fitch , I’m no longer a spring or even summer chicken.

However, if that isn’t the case, and I can increase my concentration levels as well as my memory, well what’s not to love about that? The reason I only deal with 3 clients per day is not purely to maintain my work/life balance, but also because I find my concentration levels dipping after 3 people.

I contacted Posit Science and asked if they’d be willing to let me have a trial program in return for me blogging about it. The miserable bastards said no, but undeterred I decided to shell out almost $400 of my own money and buy it anyway so I could experiment on myself.

The course is made up of 40 one-hour sessions and they recommend it be completed inside 90 days. I intend to do it a lot quicker than that and plan on doing an hour every day or at least 6 times per week. I’m currently six days in and haven’t noticed my brain expanding just yet, but I’m hopeful.

I have deliberately left out any links to Posit Science because I want to see if this stuff works for me before I advise anybody else go and try it. I’ll be keeping you updated on my progress here, but in the meantime I’d really like to know how good is your memory, or probably more pertinently, how good is it compared to 10 or 15 years ago?

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15 Comments So Far.

Comment by ilimas on 6 July 2009:

Please keep us posted on your “brain experiment”. I’ve heard about Posit’s software program but $400 is quite a bit of money. I’ve heard from a friend that her brain is quite a bit sharper after going on a detox diet. So proper nutrition plays a part.
Comment by Laurie on 6 July 2009:

Well my eyes took a turn for the worse a few years back. That’s due to our eye muscles not contracting like they use to.

I don’t believe my memory is really any different. My ability to remember things more has to do with how much is going on in my life at the time and how stressed I am. I try to associate how many things I have to remember to help me. For example if I have to grab some stuff before leaving the next morning, I’ll remember how many things I need to grab. Then I am better able to remember the things.

I would like for you to tell about the exercises it is having you do as well as any affect they have on your memory.

I agree, they are poopie heads for not giving your the program for the mention on your blog.
Comment by Tracy on 6 July 2009:

I’m very interested in how Posit works for you. My memory is actually pretty good, but this might benefit my son with Asperger’s as his working memory is very poor.

I haven’t noticed a general decline in my memory except when I’m sleep deprived. I can’t pull all nighters like I used to and still function in the morning.

The great thing I got from The Mind That Changes Itself is that although the first 3 years are very important, the window doesn’t ever completely close. That’s a wonderful message for moms like me whose children weren’t diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders until after 3. Of course, early intervention is important and should be provided if at all possible, but this takes away some of the guilt/hopeless feelings.

Tracys last blog post..My two favorite emotions are lucky and enthusiastic
Comment by Foodie McBody on 6 July 2009:

I actually made a donation to the public radio station and got the Posit Science package. I unwrapped it but then never actually did the program. You just reminded m! (yeah, I FORGOT) You have inspired me to get it all set up again. I have an 86 yr old mother with some dementia and I originally got it for her but I think I will try and do it as well. I’ll be really looking forward to your take on it.

Foodie McBodys last blog post..Too Much Of A Good Tweet?
Comment by RhondaL on 6 July 2009:

I’ve always been absent-minded, so I can’t really tell if I’m any worse. (I forget … )

But I have a lot more on my mind than I used to. I’m juggling multiple projects these days – “multitasking,” as the kids say. With so much going on, it’s all too easy for some things to slip through the cracks.

Good luck with the Posit Science thing. (Yes, I did have to scroll back up to get the name correct. You say “forgetful,” I say “due diligence.”)

:)

RhondaLs last blog post..Getting a family to the 2010 WEG
Comment by m.h.moore on 6 July 2009:

Well Tim, I’ve got to say; you bring up an interesting subject. I was afraid at one time I was getting a bit forgetful. I started to notice the only time I really forgot was when I was brain bored. If I keep up with things, learn new things regularly, I do real good. Whereas I can skip physical exercise, mental exercise is a necessity.Reading is a good thing, and by the way, blogs are great.Please keep us posted about your experiment with Posit. I, too think they should have given it to you for a review on your blog.
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Comment by CoralM on 7 July 2009:

My memory isn’t so good anymore. I wonder if it’s just pyschological? Rhonda Byrne of “The Secret” fame suggested her needing reading glasses was because she expected to be wearing reading glasses at 40+ years. She says by visualising perfect eyesight she got it back again. Make sense? I’m going to try it.

CoralMs last blog post..A Few Brilliant Books
Comment by Tim Brownson on 7 July 2009:

@ ilimas – I think nutrition is critical too. In fact I’m starting a low carb diet in conjunction because I read that too many carbs (and I eat loads) can inhibit memory and lead to the fuzzy feeling that I sometimes get.

@ Laurie – I’ll definitely be reporting back and if it doesn’t work I will be utilizing their 90 day money back guarantee ;-)

@ Tracy – I actually found the book offered a lot of hope to people with all sorts of problems and one I would recommend to anybody in your situation or parents that are starting to become less and less mentally active. And yeh, sleep deprivation kills memory.

@ Foodie – Great stuff a fellow experimenter! Let me know how you get on please.

@ Rhonda L – I think the better question to ask yourself was “did you ever take the information in, in the first place?” Multitasking can cause us to miss stuff and be thinking of one thing as we do another. Not good for memory!

@ m.h.moore – I almost went into talking about what kills memory other than aging (which doesn’t), but thought it would get too long. Boredom and not being engaged in something is right up there though.

@ CoralM – I’m a big believer in the power of beliefs and I think that is possible. I don’t however, think iot has anything to do with the LoA.
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Comment by alex – unleash reality on 7 July 2009:

Hey Tim!!

Interesting way of approaching the juicy topic of memory.

really liked the leg in cast analogy.

since you’re the king of controversial debate, specially in the comments field, i’ma throw out my thoughts on memory.

not sure how familiar you are with my story, but the relevant portion here is that i used to fail school and started working and eventually pulled my grades up. then i realised i didn’t need to put in nearly as much effort as i was or thought i had to. it was more realising that it was possible than anything else that made me do well.

i studied memory. at length. if you’re the king of controversial debate, i’m the king of extensive research ;)

also ordered a course. Kevin Trudeau’s Mega Memory. And it worked. It worked a treat in fact.

…but here’s the kicker. i stopped using the techniques and it continued to work. the techniques aren’t really formative in that you can use them a bit and the plasticity of your brain changes in as much as you use them as a method of going about the remembering process.

so i stopped using the techniques and yet i continued to have a great memory, going on to graduate high school with straight As after a 40% average two grades prior.

so…

i definitely think the course you ordered will work. maybe semantically like the actual techniques of mega memory, but more likely they’ll work because you think they work. good ‘ol power of belief. and that’s fine. i think it’s just as valid. placebo or not, it works. and if it works then it works. and if you have to buy a program and spend 90 days doing it then so be it, it still works.

and while you may say that physiologically your memory deteriorates, i think it’s more a self-inflicted deterioration (viz leg cast analogy) than anything else. my memory was worse than most 60 year olds when i was averaging 40% academically. it was my thoughts about the situation that messed with me.

if you think your memory is good then it’s good. convincing yourself that it’s good – that’s the tricky part…

stumbled and tweeted.

keep well and all the best
alex – unleash reality

alex – unleash realitys last blog post..Off-Centre Ideas About Balance
Comment by Supergranny on 7 July 2009:

Memory…seems like I remember having some once…I think I need a refresher coarse course. Guess I’ll reread this post again…think I need it! Thanks

Supergrannys last blog post..A Strong Woman of the Civil War…Polly Cooper
Comment by Sean on 7 July 2009:

The decline and recovery of cognitive is a topic very close to me. In my late 20’s I was in a car accident and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury. It felt like I went from 27 to 97 in terms of my mental ability. I ended up on disability for five years because of it.

Now that I’ve rebuilt my working mind I am interested in how to keep it going and to improve it.

Seans last blog post..Mine Your Resources Interview
Comment by Tim Brownson on 7 July 2009:

@ Alex – I didn’t know any of your background to be honest. Sounds almost Stevel Pavlinaish ;-)

I have had 2 other companies post comments wanting me to try out their product. I removed the comments because I want to give the Posit Science course a chance before I try any others out and I think it’s a bit naughty to dive in the comments without contacting me directly.

@ Supergranny – Not sure how the post will help, but go for it.

@ Sean – Wow! Good for you mate with sticking with it. I think you’ll find the book fascinating and you can build on it. I found it a really optimistic book in terms of saying “Look we have this brilliant onboard computer and guess what? It’s future proofed and way better than you think it is!”
Comment by alex – unleash reality on 8 July 2009:

“Sounds almost Stevel Pavlinaish ;-)”
- well. know my background or not, at least you read my stuff :P