The Human Memory Process
 The brain is a complex and mysterious organ, as it acts as the epicenter of pretty much everything we do. This is also true of the human memory, and the process of storing and then recalling our past experiences with high levels of detail has intrigued scientists for generations.
The human memory process can be broken down into three parts:
- Sensory memory - This part of the human memory deals with information we derive from our senses.
- Iconic memory - information we obtain through sight
- Echoic memory - information we obtain through hearing
- Haptic memory - information we obtain through touch
If our brain decides that the information is something that needs to be remembered, like people's names and faces, the temperature and texture of things we touch, songs, important conversations, and so on, it is then passed on to the short term memory.
- Short term memory - This portion of human memory begins to play information we have obtained in a type of loop. This allows us to quickly recall things we have just seen or heard in order to complete immediate tasks. This loop is played for a period of time until the task is completed and can be discarded, or it is encoded into long term memory.
- Long term memory - Long term memory is the most complex and confusing part of human memory. Unlike short term, it has an unlimited capacity to store information we obtain over our entire lifespan, and to recall this information easily. It's also believed that long term memories are stored throughout the brain, depending on the type of information is being encoded.
- Episodic memories - memories of events we have experienced
- Semantic memories - memories of facts we have learned
Once a human memory is committed to the long term, it is fairly easy to retrieve through the processes of recall or recognition. Recall is being able to remember an event or fact without any cues to what you should be remembering, while recognition pulls a memory after prompting, such as when you see someone you recognize, are asked about a specific memory, or are asked a question on a test.
As complex as the human memory can be, it is also fairly easy to disrupt. Trauma, drug or alcohol abuse, some disease, and even just getting older can make it much more difficult to store and recall memories. By keeping your brain and mind as healthy as possible, through memory vitamins and overall good health practices, you may be able to maintain an active, healthy memory and brain for a long time.
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