Neuroscientist Reveals The Truth About Memory & How We Can Remember Better | Charan Ranganath

We often think about our memories as a record of the past – but what if they’re only a selective and evolving version of it? Today’s guest is a world-leading memory expert who has a surprising message: we’re not supposed to remember everything. In fact, our brains are designed to forget. And much of what you experience today will be lost by tomorrow.

Dr Charan Ranganath is Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California at Davis. For more than 25 years, he has studied the mechanisms in the brain that allow us to remember past events, using brain imaging techniques, computational modelling and research on patients with memory disorders. The occasion for his appearance on my podcast is the publication of his wonderful new book, Why We Remember: The Science of Memory and How it Shapes Us, which challenges, educates and enlightens, on so much of what we thought to be true about memories.

In this fascinating conversation, he explains that the seemingly selective and unreliable nature of human memory doesn't reveal laziness, distraction or early dementia. Instead, it shows that our brains have not evolved to keep a comprehensive record of events. Rather than live in the past, the brain’s job is to extract the information it needs, to guide our futures.

We also discuss how memories create our sense of self. We learn that our memory is an unreliable narrator but that we can use this to our advantage. By changing our perspective on traumatic experiences, we can feel differently about them in the present – a theory on which many forms of therapy are based.

We also discuss our brain’s ability to change – its plasticity – and how we’re most likely to remember life’s emotional experiences as well as its new and surprising ones. Charan explains why music and smells are evocative cues, why it’s never too late to learn new skills, and why forgetting is a sign of an efficient brain - in fact, one of Charan’s key insights is that we shouldn’t strive to remember more, but to remember better.

This is a fascinating conversation, full of fresh ideas, wisdom and practical advice about a topic that deeply matters to all of us.

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

[DrChatterjeeRangan]

Looking for shorter clips or content? Check out my @DrChatterjeeClips channel

[elletuppen]

Such a brilliant discussion..many many thanks. This clarifies so much about the effect of our values and beliefs that colour our recall.

[chuckmccaughan]

This is an amazing podcast with so much valuable information. I noticed that there’s only been 944 views, I’m thinking that’s probably because of the length of it because the content is extremely inspiring.

[dankahorvathova]

Dr Rangan I soooo enjoyed this podcast. Especially the menopause and orcas talk. As a premenopausal woman I'm so interesting to learn about menopause so I'm ready for that time. And "the grandmother theory" is fascinating me. I'm actually looking forward to menopause, in a very weird way, because I know I still be useful ❤❤❤
Thanks for your great podcasts. Have a great day xx

[betel]

Enjoying this conversation, thank you. Woukd be really helpful to have timestamps and chaapters!

[markie]

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this interview, thank you very much!

[annamariabodzas]

This will be another fascinating episode! ❤️🙏 Thank you!

[relaxwithlyrics]

God bless you all for the knowledge sharing.. ❤❤❤

[majkelpl]

@DrChatterjeeRangan I love your channel. Please can you make a video on OCD? It's killing me. I can't stop my brain from thinking and it makes me extremely tired.

[Myisle-um]

Hi. Thanks for the Dr.Ranjan Chatterjee"s team for all good info about health.I subscribe the Friday email also. May I ask is it possible to provide Chinese subtitles as well? I try other languages are ok except Chinese subtitles. Is it a bit complicated for me to know the medical words but in other ways my vocabularies is improving. Hope the team is reading this comment. Thanks again for the efforts in health care.🙏

[Individualist]

concepts are consolidated memories. the mind drops the differing measurements among entities in order to economize space but retains the attribute particular to all entities of a given kind. a chair's essential attribute is its shape. the materials and dimensions are omitted. in this context "omitted" doesn't mean non-existent only not specified.

[zeenalady]

I was 5 years old when my sister in law asked me to go to her room and grab a diaper to change her baby. Halfway down the hallway, i couldn't remember what i was supposed to do. Went back and asked her what she needed me to do. I totally understand how forgetting something doesn't necessarily link up to aging or dementia. I'm hoping so, at least 🙏. Lol.

[IMANHELPLINE]

I appreciate having a portfolio coach to assist me with my daily market decisions. Their deep understanding of both long and short positions, along with their ability to leverage risk for potential gains and hedge against market downturns, ensures that they're well-equipped to perform at a high level.

[thomasraven]

The casual mention of animal abuse around the 28:00 mark seriously hindered my enjoyment of this episode and reminded me of the ways that many researchers use others as fodder for their research. We will never advance as a species until we all work to preserve life of all kinds and refuse to abuse others for our own gain.

[TheBillaro]

Can someone summarise the video please?

[ip]

Quite frankly, Dr Ranjan Chatterjee, nothing good has ever happened in my life but I’m too scared to commit suicide therefore I’d be quite grateful to lose my memory.

[sergiocuadra]

Hi, Could you indicate what is the English level in each video please?
I'm learning English, I need to know it

[justin_d]

More ads than video at this point…
Rangan,
Lower the amount of ads and I’ll watch your video. It is unwatchable

[Individualist]

60 minutes did a piece on a rare syndrome called hyperthymesia. these people remember every day of their lives from about the age of 13. This may be a form of synesthesia. i, too, experience a carousel of memories running in the background of my mind.

[pocopico]

Just what everybody wanted to do… get up and listen to a 2 hour, 11 minute video. We all have the time, right? Wrong! 🙄

These need to be shortened. Nobody is going to devote the time to listen to this when it’s over two hours!