Science Friday Memories Change. But Can We Change Them On Purpose?
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Nov 14, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Dr. Steve Ramirez, an associate professor at Boston University and author of *How to Change a Memory*, explores the fascinating malleability of human memory. He explains how memories are not static but rather reconstructive, shaped by emotions and experiences. Ramirez shares insights from his research on manipulating memories in rodents, and he suggests potential therapeutic applications for humans, including reducing trauma intensity. His personal journey through grief offers a poignant reflection on how memories define us.
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Memory Is Reconstructive And Generative
- Memory is a reconstructive process that changes each time we recall it.
- The brain recombines past pieces to imagine the future, tying memory to imagination.
Memories Are Distributed Network Events
- Memories live across distributed brain networks rather than a single locus.
- Ramirez compares memories to a three-dimensional web of activity, not an iPhone video.
Memory Changes Across Multiple Biological Scales
- Memory formation shows changes from genes to cell anatomy to coordinated cell populations.
- Different scales reveal distinct mechanisms like DNA regulation, synaptic remodeling, and neural rhythms.
