Types of Memory

Here at NeuraPerformance Brain Center in Denver, we’re interested in all things brains — including memory! Memory can be affected in any number of brain injury, from a concussion to a more serious traumatic brain injury. Our brain center provides baseline concussion testing as well as help in concussion recovery using our Dynavision D2 Vision Training System. But in today’s blog, we’ll be explaining different types of memory, and how you can improve your memory with braining training techniques such as neurofeedback, a therapy we offer right here in Denver! Continue reading to learn more, and contact us today for general information or treatment. 

Short-Term Memory

Short-term memory is also called primary or active memory, and it’s the memory that allows you to keep track of things in your day-to-day life. Your short-term memory helps you remember where you put your car keys or where you’re meeting your friend for work. 

This type of memory has three key aspects:

• Limited Capacity
• Limited Duration
• Encoding

Because you’re only using your short-term memory for the things you immediately need, it holds a smaller amount of information for a shorter amount of time. You can use a brain training technique called encoding to remember more things, which means using acoustic queues (like singing the alphabet). If you visit NeuraPerformance Brain Center in Denver, we can talk with you about ways you can improve your memory, such as using Dynavision or neurofeedback.

Long-Term Memory

Long-term memory is just what it sounds like — storing memory over a longer period of time. While short-term memory helps you remember things in the present moment that you need to function, our long-term memory is much more complex and a way of storing many different types of information. There are three types of long-term memory: explicit, implicit, and autobiographical.

Explicit Memory

Explicit memory requires conscious thought and is also referred to as declarative memory. When people think of memory, they’re often thinking of explicit memory. It’s easily and intentionally recalled, and you can recite it in response to a specific question, like what is the date of Halloween. 

Brain training is a really effective way to improve fact recall. Neurofeedback, a form of brain can help alter brain activity and shift the way the brain responds to stimuli. Learn more about neurofeedback in Denver by contacting NeuraPerformance Brain Center today.

Implicit Memory

Implicit memory is used unconsciously, and it’s constructed through previous experiences. A good example of implicit memory is the ability to ride a bike. If you know how to ride a bike, you don’t have to think about the mechanics every time you do it — it’s stored in your implicit, or unconscious, memory. 

Autobiographical Memory

Autobiographical memory is a combination of what is called episodic (personal experiences tied to a particular time and place) and semantic (general facts and knowledge). Our brain combines these two to create an autobiographical memory, and we use these memories to understand ourselves and share our experiences with others. 

NeuraPerformance Brain Center

Our brain training center loves to share our expertise here on our blog. Follow to learn more and keep up with the exciting services we offer our clients, including neurofeedback and dynavision. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!