Why We Forget & The Amazing Story of Your Body’s Atoms - SYSK Choice
Feb 22, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Andrew Budson, a neurology professor and author, dives into the fascinating workings of memory, from why we forget to ways to enhance recall. Dan Levitt, an award-winning writer and producer, reveals the incredible journey of our body’s atoms, tracing their origins from the Big Bang through our daily lives. They explore the profound impact of physical touch on emotional well-being and share insights into how sensory experiences shape our memories.
Touch significantly enhances emotional bonding and social interactions, influencing outcomes in education and sports performance.
Human memory is dynamic and complex, shaped by personal significance and external factors like age and substance use.
Deep dives
The Power of Touch
Touching others, whether through a hug or a simple pat, has a profound impact on emotional bonding and well-being. Supportive gestures, such as high fives or gentle touches from teachers, can significantly enhance social interactions and performance in various environments. For instance, studies show that students who receive a supportive touch from a teacher are much more likely to participate in class, while athletes who engage in supportive physical interactions tend to outperform their peers. This highlights the social and psychological benefits of touch, which have been particularly recognized after periods of social isolation.
Understanding Memory Function
Memory is complex and varies significantly among individuals, influenced by factors like age and personal relevance. People tend to remember things that hold personal significance, which can lead to variations in memory accuracy, especially as they age. For example, older adults might require more repetition and cues to recall certain memories, but this does not mean those memories are permanently inaccessible. Additionally, our memories are not static; they change each time we recall them, blending various experiences and making them less accurate over time.
Alcohol's Impact on Memory
Even a single alcoholic drink can impair memory function temporarily, affecting the ability to retain and consolidate information. This effect persists, not just at the time of drinking but can even impact previously learned information a few days later. Substances like marijuana and sleep medications also interfere with memory retention and recall. In contrast, lifestyle choices such as getting enough sleep and actively engaging with new information can enhance memory performance and retrieval.
The Journey of Atoms
All atoms in the human body have a rich origin story that stretches back to the Big Bang and through countless cosmic events. Essentially, much of our physical makeup is derived from plants, which transform elements like carbon dioxide from the air into essential nutrients through photosynthesis. An astonishing 98% of the cells in our bodies are replaced over a span of ten years, underscoring the dynamic nature of our biological makeup. This constant cellular regeneration reflects the ongoing processes that contribute to our health, longevity, and the complexity of life itself.
People talk about “the power of touch” – but what does this power do? When you hug or shake hands or put your arm around someone – what is so powerful about that. This episode begins by exploring the power of touch and reveals how it improves our lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R9qyWEJuDI
The way the human memory works is amazing. Not always accurate – but amazing. How does memory work exactly? Why is it we remember some things so well and other things we don’t recall at all? Listen as we explore all of this plus why memories get distorted over time and how you can make your memory work better when you want it to. My guest is Andrew Budson M.D. Andrew is a professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, and author of the book Why We Forget and How To Remember Better: The Science Behind Memory (https://amzn.to/3S45vND).
You are made up of atoms and molecules and cells that all come together to make you – you. But where do those atoms and cells come from? How do they work to make you a real person? Here to reveal some interesting answers to this puzzle is Dan Levitt and award winning writer and producer of science and history documentaries for the National Geographic, Discover, Science, and The History Channel and he is author of the book What’s Gotten Into You : The Story of Your Body’s Atoms, from the Big Bang Through Last Night’s Dinner (https://amzn.to/3YuAWDb)
First impressions really matter. Because first impressions tend to stick in people’s minds. People size you up in about 7 seconds. Listen as I reveal some ways to make the best of those 7 seconds so people think you are the best! Source: Marianne LaFrance author of Why We Smile (https://amzn.to/31n2v8X)
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