Ever walked into a room and instantly forgotten why you were there? Or stared blankly at a new name two seconds after hearing it? Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and your brain isn’t broken. Welcome to the slippery world of memory, where new information can feel like it’s sliding through your mind like soap in the shower.
There’s actually a scientific reason behind this frustrating brain fog. According to the National Institutes of Health, the brain is constantly filtering and prioritising information. With our modern lives jammed with texts, emails, to-do lists, and TikToks, it is stated that your brain has to decide what’s worth keeping and what’s just noise. Unfortunately, new information doesn’t always make the cut.
Distraction is one of the biggest culprits. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that multitasking significantly reduces your ability to store new information in short-term memory. So, if you’re learning something new while doomscrolling or replying to emails, you’re setting yourself up for forgetfulness.
Sleep also plays a huge role. As Sleep Foundation research highlights, your brain consolidates memories while you rest. If you are experiencing poor sleep, it means that the data you tried to absorb during the day might never make it past the front desk of your memory bank, adds the mentioned foundation.
Stress is believed to be the memory thief in disguise. According to the above foundation, chronic stress floods your brain with cortisol, which impairs the hippocampus, the part responsible for forming new memories. No wonder you can’t remember where you left your keys after a hectic morning.
Mindfulness, repetition, and giving your brain a proper break can help new info stick, according to Very Well Mind. So, if things are slipping through the cracks, give yourself grace—your brain’s just trying to survive the information jungle. And maybe write that name down next time… just in case.
