Image of the past etched into memory
A memory is that image of the past that is stored in memory, therefore, memory is the ability to store, retain, and recall informationIt is the brain function that, thanks to the synaptic connections between neurons, allows us to retain past experiences. When neurons arranged in a circuit reinforce the intensity of the synapse, inevitably, memories are being created.
The memories in our brain
According to studies, our brain contains about one hundred billion neurons and one hundred trillion interconnections between those neurons and although there is no specific figure for the memory capacity we have, it is known to be a lot, it is believed that our mind can store information that would equal 10 billion encyclopedia pages.
Memory, and therefore memories, are not located in a single place within our brain, but rather are scattered through different locations, the temporal cortex, the frontal lobes, the cerebellum.
Within the process of storing memories in memory, the following phases can be distinguished: coding (the information received is received, processed and combined), storage (a permanent record will be created for each encoded information) and Recovery (memory of the information saved when a signal is perceived).
Amnesia, a pathology that affects memories
One of the most common pathologies that memory suffers is amnesia. Amnesia is the absence of memories of a certain period of our lives. The individual who suffers from it, generally, is aware that these memories exist but cannot find them. An amnesia can be partial or total and can be caused by a severe shock or an accident in which a severe blow to the head was received.
According to the majority of psychoanalysts, those who cling to a memory are on the way to depression and, in the most extreme situations of this situation, to achieve a break with current reality.
This situation occurs especially when people cling to memories that are not pleasant or that do not allow them to move forward and continue to develop in life in a full and joyful way.
Psychoanalytic therapy with a professional can help the person, of course, to overcome a situation of this type, but it will also demand a commitment on their part in which they recognize that they will not be led to anything good by holding on to a memory of the past that does not it's good.
False memory
A false memory is the memory of an event that did not happen or, failing that, the distortion of an event that did happen..
Elements that allow us to remember something or someone
On the other hand, A memory will be that which serves to remember someone or something, an item, an object, a garment, among so many things that people usually keep as memories of some beautiful moment lived or of someone we love very much and may not be with life now and that is why the memory we have of it assumes another importance in our lives. "I keep my aunt's wedding ring as a souvenir of her."
It is a very common practice for human beings to treasure in a showcase, trunk, a box or any other element or organizer furniture, objects that are memories of different people or moments that were happening in our lives. Normally the elements that refer us to beautiful memories are kept. It is not common for something to be kept that brings us bad memories, but on the contrary, what makes us remember a bad experience in the past is usually quickly discarded and not treasured as what does give us joy when we see it.
For example, this is why we mentioned that sometimes it is very difficult to let go of the memories that we treasure in life, but of course, many times the contingencies of moving to smaller spaces make us have to shed some memories. In these cases, of course, it will prevail at the time of selection, to stay with those most significant and important to our lives.
Synonym of greeting
Also, at affectionate greeting that is sent to someone it is called memory. "Send your brother our memories."
That is, this sense of the word is used as a synonym for greetings, although, we must say that this use is not so recurrent and has become obsolete, having been more used in past times, for example by our grandparents. Surely, more than one of you will have heard your grandmother or a great-aunt tell us: “send my regards to your mother”.
