Azzad Mahdzir • 01 May 2024
Ever wonder what's happening inside your head? From dreaming to anxiety disorders, discover how your brain works with this illuminating series.
I am a huge fan of the Vox production, “Explained” on YouTube. When a series arrived on Netflix called the “The Mind, Explained”, the enthusiast in me got immediately hooked. As a documentary series, it dives deep into the intricacies of the human mind, covering a range of topics related to cognitive (the mental process involved in knowing, learning, and understanding things) and psychological processes. What better ways are there to learn if not from the engaging visuals and narrative I knew Vox for?
Each episode of “The Mind, Explained” is structured around a specific aspect of the mind.
The series features accessible, engaging explanations that combine expert interviews, clear visualisations, and narrations to help viewers understand complex topics. In Season 1, the narration by Emma Stone adds an additional layer of engagement.
In the first episode of “The Mind, Explained” titled “Memory,” the documentary delves into the intricacies of human memory, explaining how memories are created, stored, and recalled. The episode covers various types of memories, the roles of critical brain areas like the hippocampus and amygdala, and explores phenomena such as false memories and the impact of emotions on memory strength. It also touches on the challenges of memory deterioration with age and offers practical advice on enhancing memory retention. Through expert insights and vivid visuals, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of memory, its mechanisms, and its profound impact on human experience.
The Mind Explained looks at how memory works and examines the way in which the brain stores, processes, and retrains memories. It also looks at the ways in which memory can fail and discusses how memories can warp over time. It talks to neuroscientists and a memory champion who explains her techniques.
The episode begins with an overview of the basic processes behind memory, including encoding, storage, and retrieval. It explains these stages using clear visuals and expert commentary, making the concepts accessible to viewers without a background in neuroscience.
The episode begins with an overview of the basic processes behind memory, including encoding, storage, and retrieval. It explains these stages using clear visuals and expert commentary, making the concepts accessible to viewers without a background in neuroscience.
The documentary differentiates between different types of memories, such as sensory, short-term (or working), and long-term memory, each serving different functions. It delves into explicit (conscious) memories and implicit (unconscious) memories, illustrating how these different systems operate within the brain.
The episode emphasizes the hippocampus’s role in memory formation and retrieval, explaining how this part of the brain is critical for converting short-term memories into long-term memories. There’s discussion about how damage to the hippocampus can affect these processes, illustrated by real-life cases and experiments.
The documentary explores the connection between emotions and memory strength. It explains why emotional events are often remembered more vividly and accurately, due to the involvement of the amygdala, another part of the brain.
One of the most fascinating parts of the episode is its exploration of false memories—how memories can be distorted or entirely fabricated. The show uses examples and experiments to show how suggestibility and the incorporation of false information can lead to vivid but inaccurate memories.
Techniques to improve memory retention are also discussed, providing viewers with practical insights into how they might enhance their own memory capabilities through methods like mnemonics or changes in lifestyle.
The episode touches on how memory changes with age, addressing common concerns like memory decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
Overall, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of memory with a focus on how essential and yet how fallible our memories can be. It’s designed to make viewers question their own recollections and consider how integral memory is to personal identity.
Exploring the science of memory, as done in this episode can provide deeper insights into the cognitive challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and offer strategies for mitigating these effects. The episode’s exploration of topics such as the impact of stress on memory, mechanisms of memory formation, and the phenomenon of false memories can all be directly applied to understanding experiences during due to COVID-19. A multifaceted relevance, touching on personal, societal, and medical dimensions.
Memory has become particularly pertinent in this “age of forgetfulness” as influenced by the pandemic:
The pandemic has led to increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among the general population. These psychological states can adversely affect cognitive functions, including memory. Stress, for instance, impacts the hippocampus, a key area involved in memory formation and recall, potentially leading to diminished memory capabilities.
Many people recovering from COVID-19 have reported experiencing “brain fog,” a condition characterized by confusion, forgetfulness, and lack of mental clarity. Research suggests that this could be due to the neurological impacts of the virus or the overall physiological stress of battling the illness. Understanding memory helps in identifying and addressing these cognitive symptoms.
With lockdowns and social distancing measures, many people, especially the elderly, experienced increased social isolation. Social interactions are crucial for maintaining cognitive health, and isolation can lead to a deterioration in memory and other cognitive functions. The mechanisms of memory elucidate why maintaining social connections is vital for cognitive health.
The collective and individual traumas experienced during the pandemic will impact long-term memory and could influence how societies remember and learn from this period. Traumatic memories can also play a role in how individuals and communities build resilience and prepare for future challenges.
The infodemic, characterised by an overload of information, including misinformation about COVID-19, highlighted the need for critical thinking and memory skills. Being able to remember and accurately recall reliable information is crucial for public health safety and adherence to health guidelines.
Memory plays a crucial role in learning from past experiences. Understanding the spread and management of the pandemic relies on accurately remembering and analysing data and outcomes from different stages of managing the health crisis.
Azzad Mahdzir is the co-founder of Empathy For Youth Academy and currently on his pathway for Nonviolent Communication trainer accreditation.
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