Table of Contents
Neuroscience of Memory
Long memories are stored in Cerebellum. If one has enough white matter, the memory is recalled vividly, as stories. The ability to recollect entire life events smoothly is called Autobiographical Memory(ABM).
We forget the past in two ways:- we intentionally suppress our memory, Or, we have brain damage. In either situation, the white matter density from the cerebellum to other parts of the brain is reduced. Brain processes every information with timeline reference to ABM.
Consequences of Forgetting Past
Whether you just don’t want to remember or have forgotten the past, it has the following outcome:-
- Learning disability.
- Fail in reality test(Neurotics)
- Long-term memory loss.
- Increased threat perception by the brain(because ABM reference is not present). This leads to Hypertension.
- Load on cardio-renal axis, and therefore renal inflammation, like Polycystic Kidney.
- Dementia.
- Focus problem, because the brain can’t connect regions.
- Hormonal imbalance because Hippocampus has to contextualize every info w.r.t ABM. Impaired ABM leads to impaired HC-Hypothalamus signaling, leading to HPA axis impairment, leading to problems like Hypothyroidism.
- Forget past=Hypothyroidism, Anger, Dementia, ADHD, Cluster B disorder. No exception.
So, autobiographical memory is to be preserved by your life. No matter how painful is the past, they are reference points for the brain. You have to recall, share, and store back. You have to be able to narrate every event of your life as a movie. If you are not able to remember any part or have forgotten by choice, the effect will be devastating for the brain, and then your metabolic health.
Conclusion
Hence the loss of memory is a super important diagnosis for early screening of Cancers. They are good markers to predict cardiac risks. They are markers for brain cell damage, low blood pressure, addiction, reckless antisocial behavior, and so on.
NEVER EVER UNDER ANY CONDITION, ANYONE SHOULD EVEN THINK OF FORGETTING THE PAST, DISTORTING, OR, HATING THE PAST. NEVER.
Self-Help
Do you know that the way you remember the past also can determine how fast your body is aging(called biological aging)? Test your Biological Age by Evaluating your Rumination style using our clinically validated online mental health free tool.
