Ask HN: Anyone else's short-term memory gone to hell?
I don’t know if this is a post COVID thing, the result of years of paying attention to something for a fraction of a second and then scrolling on, or something else, but damn is it noticeable now.
30 comments
Go camping for 1 night and go screen-free. Or just go somewhere without TV/smartphone/internet/smartwatch (you have to really disconnect)
You'll magically find that your brain works just like you remember within a very short period of hours.
Sadly, even knowing the detriment to my life, it is still extremely hard for me to stay away from smartphones and note others seem to have the same issue.
You'll magically find that your brain works just like you remember within a very short period of hours.
Sadly, even knowing the detriment to my life, it is still extremely hard for me to stay away from smartphones and note others seem to have the same issue.
I had a similar idea, but without the camping. Just really want to set a day (probably Sunday) where I don't look at a screen at any point during the day. Just books, magazines, and my own brain.
Thinking about it, I think I looked at a screen multiple times every single day for the last ~15 years. Maybe longer.
Thinking about it, I think I looked at a screen multiple times every single day for the last ~15 years. Maybe longer.
Good idea. Ironically I’m getting it from a screen.
It's wild to remember we sleep under a blanket of stars every night and could have S'mores whenever we want... but most of us rarely spend a moment out there away from our smartphones and smartwatches.
I'm not going screenless in life, but there has to be an ebb and flow.
I'm not going screenless in life, but there has to be an ebb and flow.
Mine did. I can't remember telling the same stories multiple times. I even laughed at my own joke after it was told to me, not realising it came from me. If someone asks me what I've done yesterday or last weekend, I blank out completely. I struggle with journaling because I don't easily recall how my day was.
I can't tell if it's new. My mother is the same, and I don't remember ever having an especially good memory. Maybe it just get pointed out more?
At least my behaviour is consistent. What I'm told I've said always checks out. I am also obsessively organised, so things rarely slip through. I would be a terrible liar though.
I can't tell if it's new. My mother is the same, and I don't remember ever having an especially good memory. Maybe it just get pointed out more?
At least my behaviour is consistent. What I'm told I've said always checks out. I am also obsessively organised, so things rarely slip through. I would be a terrible liar though.
Hey. After covid i had the same issue too. It went better with a combination of theses 2 :
- Breathing exercices to calm the vagus nerve - Probiotics to repair the gut : Handle SIBO -> Intestinal Barrier permeability -> Gut Inflammation
It can get better in 3 months. You issue is a autonomic nervous system dysfunction + enteric nervous system dysfunction, and regular doctor cannot help you. Maybe check with a functionnal doctor.
- Breathing exercices to calm the vagus nerve - Probiotics to repair the gut : Handle SIBO -> Intestinal Barrier permeability -> Gut Inflammation
It can get better in 3 months. You issue is a autonomic nervous system dysfunction + enteric nervous system dysfunction, and regular doctor cannot help you. Maybe check with a functionnal doctor.
I don't know how old you are, or what your sleep is like. You may get better luck asking on reddit.
We work in neurotech/sleeptech, and there is significant research into slow-wave enhancement via auditory stimulation on memory and cognitive function.
Meta-analysis - https://doi.org/10.3389/frsle.2023.1082253 Cognitive decline - https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13818
I link to more research on our website https://affectablesleep.com if you're interested. Happy to answer questions.
We work in neurotech/sleeptech, and there is significant research into slow-wave enhancement via auditory stimulation on memory and cognitive function.
Meta-analysis - https://doi.org/10.3389/frsle.2023.1082253 Cognitive decline - https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13818
I link to more research on our website https://affectablesleep.com if you're interested. Happy to answer questions.
Mine has been patchy for a long time, but I've come up with various rationalisations:
- Work item priorities changing on a semi-regular basis means that "working memory" can need to be purged at the drop of a hat. Happens enough times and you just start, not even necessarily consciously, not committing some things to memory.
- Having kids has meant there's always something on "soon", so we try to keep all the things in a shared calendar. It's not possible for me to remember all the things, so there's no point remembering some of them, so I don't. The calendar is the singular source of truth.
- My wife tends to recount the entirety of her day to me, randomly interspersed with a couple of pieces of information that are critically important to our lives between now and three months from now, as soon as either she or I walk in the door after work. I don't try to remember any of it any more because I just don't, and never did, have the throughput capability.
- I've heard that making memories (and this might be specific to long term behavioural type memories, so maybe moot) has a relationship with adrenaline production - you'll remember something scary or exciting or dangerous or unusual. I'm a fairly chill mf, so my assumption is that I don't pump adrenaline quite a easily as most people, and therefore memories are less likely to be "sticky" (tenuous reasoning).
- Life and work are increasingly busy and complex. Short term memory may be getting saturated by things we don't realise are using short term memory, and so it feels as if short term memory is worse, when actually it's just at capacity all the time.
- There is always something else on our minds. If you're thinking about X (which is important to you) and someone else starts explaining Y, then there's a fair period of mental wind down of X in order to start processing Y, during which time they've already kinda got to the middle.
An analogy I've used when discussing "remembering details" with work colleagues:
We're having 50 tennis balls thrown at us all at once. We shouldn't be expected to be catching more than one - and it may not even be the one you were trying to catch.
In the case of my wife's rapid fire information delivery, I'm being thrown 50 tennis balls, two of which are invisibly marked as critical, and I'm expected to catch both.
(This is only slightly hyperbolic)
- Work item priorities changing on a semi-regular basis means that "working memory" can need to be purged at the drop of a hat. Happens enough times and you just start, not even necessarily consciously, not committing some things to memory.
- Having kids has meant there's always something on "soon", so we try to keep all the things in a shared calendar. It's not possible for me to remember all the things, so there's no point remembering some of them, so I don't. The calendar is the singular source of truth.
- My wife tends to recount the entirety of her day to me, randomly interspersed with a couple of pieces of information that are critically important to our lives between now and three months from now, as soon as either she or I walk in the door after work. I don't try to remember any of it any more because I just don't, and never did, have the throughput capability.
- I've heard that making memories (and this might be specific to long term behavioural type memories, so maybe moot) has a relationship with adrenaline production - you'll remember something scary or exciting or dangerous or unusual. I'm a fairly chill mf, so my assumption is that I don't pump adrenaline quite a easily as most people, and therefore memories are less likely to be "sticky" (tenuous reasoning).
- Life and work are increasingly busy and complex. Short term memory may be getting saturated by things we don't realise are using short term memory, and so it feels as if short term memory is worse, when actually it's just at capacity all the time.
- There is always something else on our minds. If you're thinking about X (which is important to you) and someone else starts explaining Y, then there's a fair period of mental wind down of X in order to start processing Y, during which time they've already kinda got to the middle.
An analogy I've used when discussing "remembering details" with work colleagues:
We're having 50 tennis balls thrown at us all at once. We shouldn't be expected to be catching more than one - and it may not even be the one you were trying to catch.
In the case of my wife's rapid fire information delivery, I'm being thrown 50 tennis balls, two of which are invisibly marked as critical, and I'm expected to catch both.
(This is only slightly hyperbolic)
Last year I had the entirety of my left hippocampus and amygdala removed (yes, seriously). And yet I still work in a highly cognitive area of software engineering as a senior engineer. Has my short term memory gone to hell? Wait, what was this post about again? I joke.
Many, many years ago when I was in college studying computer science I spent an extraordinary amount of time studying holistic learning techniques to help aid in my exams. The next year I was in a coma. Shortly thereafter, I swung back fighting, making sure the universe knew it didn’t have the upper hand. I won.
So there’s several things here. There are people like yourself, battling this kind of thing. Don’t feel like you’re alone. Secondly there are approaches to help improve things, whether it be holistic learning, repetition, or both. And finally, tell the universe to go screw itself, otherwise you’re giving it permission to win.
Good luck.
Many, many years ago when I was in college studying computer science I spent an extraordinary amount of time studying holistic learning techniques to help aid in my exams. The next year I was in a coma. Shortly thereafter, I swung back fighting, making sure the universe knew it didn’t have the upper hand. I won.
So there’s several things here. There are people like yourself, battling this kind of thing. Don’t feel like you’re alone. Secondly there are approaches to help improve things, whether it be holistic learning, repetition, or both. And finally, tell the universe to go screw itself, otherwise you’re giving it permission to win.
Good luck.
Try going for a long run(10km) or a walk(2h). NO HEADPHONES!
It's because of short form content and how it's infected every single aspect of life, even music with Spotify's "discover" feature.
Agree with the comments about short form content exposure growing, and the negative effects of social media. I wonder how much increasing reliance on AI for everyday tasks is also affects this? I swear I've gotten much more prone to subconciously reaching for an LLM response than thinking things through.
long covid really hits your memory faculties hard.
the only things that help: deep-breathing exercises, dexketoprofen, creatine, staying warm, and years of time for recovery.
the only things that help: deep-breathing exercises, dexketoprofen, creatine, staying warm, and years of time for recovery.
What is it about staying warm?
I've noticed some decline in my memory, possibly, but I've noticed I have no tolerance for cold anymore. I get bitterly cold and uncomfortable even in slightly cold temps.
That happened to my uncle as well, and he's a bit of a northman.
I've noticed some decline in my memory, possibly, but I've noticed I have no tolerance for cold anymore. I get bitterly cold and uncomfortable even in slightly cold temps.
That happened to my uncle as well, and he's a bit of a northman.
I don't know, but it'll take ages to restore cold resilience. Took about 5 years for me.
I think covid might be damaging RNA, or the mitochondrium, or somehow stops the cell from being able to gather energy. Maybe it has something to do with the increased production of lipids and hyaluronic acid which has been described in some reports. Maybe it damages the thyroid. IDK. I hope to find out one day.
I think covid might be damaging RNA, or the mitochondrium, or somehow stops the cell from being able to gather energy. Maybe it has something to do with the increased production of lipids and hyaluronic acid which has been described in some reports. Maybe it damages the thyroid. IDK. I hope to find out one day.
Not particularly. On the one hand, I'm retired, my days are in many ways much alike, and "what did you do last Thursday" could leave me mumbling. On the other hand, I've met about a dozen people in the last three weeks, and remember their names. (I did write them down.)
[Edit: changed the first "on the other hand" to "on the one hand".]
[Edit: changed the first "on the other hand" to "on the one hand".]
I have always had some mindless habits, like putting something down without thinking, and then having to wonder where it is. I just never filed it.
Now that I am old as in 76, I find that things which should be instantly retrievable from memory have a 5 second or so lag, and then they are right there. If I try to search the web for a hint (this sometimes triggers recall) but with the current sad state of search, I have to scroll past pages of “this shit’s for sale” if not downright ads instead of something I seek. That just angers me. I find that I can remember things faster than the internet of sh—t. It seems to have (you guessed it, ADHD).
When I discussed some of my macro behaviors with my daughter, the psych grad, such as putting off a move decision (because things are stable here though with serous distance and loneliness limitations, compared to the risk and effort of moving) and some other things (that I forgot … ) she said that was textbook ADHD, though on a large scale rather than moment to moment. I’ll look this up.
A boring day today, then a double rainbow appeared along with a fine sunset (those fluffy clouds make one) each on the other side of the ridge here, so hiking was involved, and then took a shot at some Rachmaninoff, so I can’t say anything’s duller upstairs.
Most of us are infovores, and can’t possibly thoroughly read every article we see. I file stuff as PDF’s for computer search (you know what I think of web search) and later reading. I am OK with this because I don’t actually NEED the vast majority of it, and some gets filed on the desktop because it’s the outlier that really wants me to act on it. It’s the gold in the pan.
Scanning through the mass of photos or reading those hundreds (thousands) of musical notes on the page (iPad) really does take attention, and I take breaks. I think I underestimate what goes into touching up photos, and reading so many notes that always seem too small.
The only really annoying thing is the delay in recall, but I am expecting instant recall, and that’s a lot for anyone. The summer heat kept me inside too much, and that means staring at screens. Cooler now, so I’ll get outside more, and don’t forget sunshine for vitamin D.
And short term? I am slowly downsizing, and there’s just too much lying around to keep track of. The few moments when things are better organized, things are easier to find. And guess who’s posting on Hacker News instead of straightening up the kitchen? Well, that must be attended to.
Good luck.
Now that I am old as in 76, I find that things which should be instantly retrievable from memory have a 5 second or so lag, and then they are right there. If I try to search the web for a hint (this sometimes triggers recall) but with the current sad state of search, I have to scroll past pages of “this shit’s for sale” if not downright ads instead of something I seek. That just angers me. I find that I can remember things faster than the internet of sh—t. It seems to have (you guessed it, ADHD).
When I discussed some of my macro behaviors with my daughter, the psych grad, such as putting off a move decision (because things are stable here though with serous distance and loneliness limitations, compared to the risk and effort of moving) and some other things (that I forgot … ) she said that was textbook ADHD, though on a large scale rather than moment to moment. I’ll look this up.
A boring day today, then a double rainbow appeared along with a fine sunset (those fluffy clouds make one) each on the other side of the ridge here, so hiking was involved, and then took a shot at some Rachmaninoff, so I can’t say anything’s duller upstairs.
Most of us are infovores, and can’t possibly thoroughly read every article we see. I file stuff as PDF’s for computer search (you know what I think of web search) and later reading. I am OK with this because I don’t actually NEED the vast majority of it, and some gets filed on the desktop because it’s the outlier that really wants me to act on it. It’s the gold in the pan.
Scanning through the mass of photos or reading those hundreds (thousands) of musical notes on the page (iPad) really does take attention, and I take breaks. I think I underestimate what goes into touching up photos, and reading so many notes that always seem too small.
The only really annoying thing is the delay in recall, but I am expecting instant recall, and that’s a lot for anyone. The summer heat kept me inside too much, and that means staring at screens. Cooler now, so I’ll get outside more, and don’t forget sunshine for vitamin D.
And short term? I am slowly downsizing, and there’s just too much lying around to keep track of. The few moments when things are better organized, things are easier to find. And guess who’s posting on Hacker News instead of straightening up the kitchen? Well, that must be attended to.
Good luck.
> Most of us are infovores
I haven't heard the term "infovore" before. It definitely describes me.
I haven't heard the term "infovore" before. It definitely describes me.
We are Getting an awful lot of info data and an exaggerated amount of screen time which can be essentially very harmful to cognitive and memory health - naps and rest with lots of exercises- Highly recommended
Yes. I think it's due to many factors around stimulus causing rapid context switches in the brain. This could be from:
- Social media
- Short-form content
- Life in general seems to be accelerating, especially at work.
I don't think it's due to COVID or the vaccines, FWIW. I think it's
- Social media
- Short-form content
- Life in general seems to be accelerating, especially at work.
I don't think it's due to COVID or the vaccines, FWIW. I think it's
Do you drink alcohol? I took a pause and found my memory was better, I suspect people get into a cycle of drinking, being kind of "bleh" then starting the cycle over and don't realize it because they're not like... hung over. They're not alcoholics. But even small amounts of alcohol fuck with you REM sleep.
It also takes longer than people think to feel the real change. A bad hangover might be gone after a day or two, but I’ve noticed meaningful change after not drinking for 1-3 months. It really takes a good deal of time for the body to recover. More time than most people ever give it.
I quit 5 years ago and my memory works much better.
I firmly believe that every bad hangover permanently damages memory ability. My job, most education, my enjoyment of personal conversation, all work better with good memory.
If I could go back and do it again I’d never drink to excess (even a single time in my life). For me that would probably mean not drinking at all or never drinking in a situation where I’d ever have more than one.
I firmly believe that every bad hangover permanently damages memory ability. My job, most education, my enjoyment of personal conversation, all work better with good memory.
If I could go back and do it again I’d never drink to excess (even a single time in my life). For me that would probably mean not drinking at all or never drinking in a situation where I’d ever have more than one.
I will give a basic advice: go see a professional!
my mom is in a nursing home, ended up there after dad fell and got hurt, and her memory was shot, and the rest of her cognitive performance was going to hell, and through whatever combination of factors, PLUS getting the shingles vacine she has made a very very significant recovery, my dad got the same vacine, and has also had a significant cognitive improvement, which has translated into physical improvements, as he was stuck in bed after breaking his 11'th vertebra after the fall, prognosis was "death" and he is able to struggle to his feet and is getting stronger, he's 97, mom's 82, were both hospitalised during covid.
point bieng: if they can bounce back, whats your fucking excuse?
get.off.your.fucking.ass.
get.off.your.fucking.ass.
I hope you never have to see someone you care about deal with dementia. It’s not something they can just out work.
time.to.talk.to.a.therapist about the stress in your world and the scary reality of losing those you love, not ragepost in response to a question