logo
episode-header-image
May 12
48m 1s

Forget About It!

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode

Forgetting something — whether it's a colleague's name or where we put our keys — can be deeply frustrating. This week, psychologist Ciara Greene helps us explore the science of forgetting. We look at why our minds hold on to some memories for a lifetime, but discard others within seconds. And we grapple with a question many people ask themselves: Is my forgetfulness a sign that something is wrong with me?

In this episode, you'll learn about: 

*The neurological underpinnings of memory

*Why forgetting is a core part of how our minds work 

*Why this process of forgetting can sometimes be a good thing

*How our psychological states shape what we remember, and how we frame our memories

*Why we should treat our memories with skepticism and our forgetfulness with compassion 

Hidden Brain is going on tour! Join us as Shankar shares key insights from the first decade of the show — more info and tickets can be found here: https://hiddenbrain.org/tour

Up next
Jul 7
You 2.0: The Passion Pill
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” The idea is that pursuing your passion will feel invigorating — almost magical. But passions can easily wane over time. This week, behavioral scientist Jon Jachimowicz looks at how to ... Show More
49m 25s
Jun 30
You 2.0: What Is Your Life For?
What should you do with your life? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to that question. But there are scientifically-tested methods that can help you to feel more in harmony with yourself and the world. This week, and in a companion conversation for Hidden Brain+, researcher Vic ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 23
Win Hearts, Then Minds + Your Questions Answered on Identity and "Covering"
There’s a saying that’s attributed to the Dalai Lama: in the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher. It’s a nice idea. But when people don’t share our values, it’s hard for us to tolerate theirs. This week, we bring you a favorite episode with sociologist Robb Wil ... Show More
1h 25m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Special Episode: Dr. Charan Ranganath & Why We Remember
How is it that we can’t remember where we put our keys or the name of the person we just met, but we can recall in excruciating detail the embarrassing interaction we had at the grocery store ten years ago? Sometimes it seems like our memory works against us more than it does for ... Show More
57m 27s
Aug 2022
How We Remember
What is a memory made of? Which parts of the brain help us remember? And what can taxi drivers’ brains tell us about how memories are made? In this episode of How We’re Wired, join evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin as she dives into the science of memory, and how we reme ... Show More
30m 50s
Aug 2022
Focus - Why We Forget
Why does our memory sometimes fail us? Would you recognise an implanted memory? And what implications do the risks of false memories have for society? In this Focus episode of How We’re Wired, join producer Dr Eva Higginbotham as she explores the murky depths of our imperfect mem ... Show More
33m 21s
Feb 2025
#334: The Memory Doc on The DISTURBING Truth About Why your Memories are a lie
Is your memory a reliable record of the past? Or a story your brain keeps rewriting?   Leading neuroscientist Dr Charan Ranganath, aka The Memory Doc, joins us on Unscripted With Spencer Lodge, to reveal how our brains store, distort, and reshape our memories.   From false memori ... Show More
1h 8m
Jul 2024
The Science Of Memory: How To Get Better At Remembering And Be Okay With Forgetting | Charan Ranganath
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- A neuroscientist’s strategies to help you remember what really matters, and how mood, multitasking and other people can impact our memories Charan Ranganath ... Show More
1h 16m
Apr 2024
The Science Behind Memory - Dr. Charan Ranganath : 1152
In today’s episode you’ll explore the complexities of memory with Dr. Charan Ranganath, a top expert in cognitive neuroscience. This episode takes you through the fascinating ways our brains record, process, and utilize memories to navigate daily life and shape our futures. You’l ... Show More
1h 21m
Jul 2024
Somatic Memory
As humans we rely on visual memory the most, but what if we told you that memories, especially memories that were formed before we had language, live primarily in our bodies. It’s safe to say, the body keeps score, more than we know.  It can be extremely dis-regulating to try to ... Show More
37m 54s
Jun 30
Recover From Brain Injuries: Oxygen, Mitochondria & Supplements with Scott Sherr
Your brain might be sabotaging you without you even knowing it. Millions of us are walking around with invisible brain injuries from childhood falls, sports hits, or even emotional trauma that happened decades ago. These hidden wounds could be why names slip through your memory l ... Show More
19m 42s
Jul 2024
Memory
Explore the intricate world of memory and trauma and delve into how generational trauma impacts our nervous system, behavior, and even our genes. Discover the fascinating science behind neuropeptides, epigenetics, and how your body stores and processes traumatic memories.  The ho ... Show More
40m 18s
Jul 2024
Why You Remember and Why You Forget & Unusual Origins of Great Inventions
When you go out to eat, the restaurant wants you to spend money. Nothing wrong with that. That’s how they stay in business. Still, you should be aware that they don’t leave it to chance. One thing they do is engineer the menu to nudge you you spend. This episode begins by describ ... Show More
50m 34s