Memory is multidimensional. We have conscious recollection of recently encountered information. This is referred to as new learning. The immediate memory for events that have just happened is called short-term memory. Quick, or short-term, memory is in contrast to what is called long-term memory. Our brain seems to have different banks for memory, the immediate bank and the long-term bank. Memories move from the immediate bank to the long-term bank by a series of neurochemical processes in our brain.

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Learning begins with those power connections in your brain: neurons firing messages to one another. Your ability to process information is determined by the junctions between those neurons, called the synapses. The ability of brain cells to speak to one another is strengthened or weakened as you use them. Essentially, the more you use those synapses, the stronger they get and the more they proliferate. That's why you may have strong neural pathways for your family history or weak ones for eighties music trivia. If something's exciting to you, then you learn it faster—and train those synapses to make strong connections. But if the information seems more boring, you can still learn and build those connections with repeated use.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.