Human memory is not built like a hard drive, so it is impossible to measure it precisely in gigabytes. But some estimates are impressive.
The potential capacity of the brain is sometimes estimated at approximately 2,5 petabytes, that is, about 2 500 terabytes. At the same time, the human brain contains about 86 billion neurons and an enormous number of connections between them.
Working memory is far more modest
The memory we use right now is surprisingly limited.
Modern studies usually estimate working memory at approximately 4 meaningful elements at a time.
That is precisely why we divide long numbers into groups:
067 – 123 – 45 – 67
This is how the brain remembers not individual digits, but several meaningful chunks.
Repetition really does change the brain
For information to turn into a more lasting memory, the connections between neurons change. This process is linked to neuroplasticity.
The more often a particular neural network is activated, the easier it is for the brain to use it again.
That is why a new name can be forgotten almost immediately after the first meeting, while after several meetings it comes back automatically.
Sleep is part of the process of remembering
Memory is strengthened not only when we are learning.
A very important part of this process takes place during sleep. The brain reactivates certain neural patterns associated with the day's events and helps consolidate information in long-term memory.
That is why a sleepless night before an exam is not the best way to gain a few extra hours for studying.
You can gain time.
But lose out on remembering.
And here is another important fact: memory is not an exact video recording. Every time we recall something, the brain partly reconstructs the event, so some details may change over time.
So the problem is usually not that the head has run out of space, but that the brain can quickly find the needed information among a huge number of connections.
