eli5: Do humans have limits to their memory abilities? Or we have unlimited memory but if something is not used, it will be pruned away
In: Biology
There is definitely some limit because information is just how particles are arranged and there’s only so many particles you can fit into a skull.
Memories are connections between neurons. Strong memories are reinforced connections between neurons. You strengthen memories by actively remembering those memories over and over again, kinda like strengthening a muscle. It gets easier and easier. So when you don’t activate those connections, it weakens just like an unused muscle. Memories fade over time if you dont think about them.
So while the human brain can store immense amounts of memories and information. Only the most important connections are reinforced over the less important stuff. Eventually the least important stuff will fade away.
Our brains are like a big library with lots of books. We can remember many things, but we can’t remember *everything*. However, the amount of information we can store is still very large. In fact, some scientists estimate that the human brain can store up to 2.5 million gigabytes of information
Our brain has two types of memory: short-term and long-term memory.
Short-term memory is like a sticky note that helps us remember something for a short period of time, like a phone number.
Long-term memory is like a book that we can read over and over again, and it can stay in our brain for a long time, like our childhood memories. Just like a library, our brain has a limited amount of space to store information.
However, just like a library, our brain can’t keep everything forever. Some books if not cared for or used will begin to rot or fall apart. If we don’t use or practice remembering something, it can be forgotten or “pruned away” over time.
Latest Answers