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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Emma Beddington

Memory games: how to boost your brain power

Memory Mouse
Heavy lifting: osteocalcin, a hormone released by bones that can be boosted by weightlifting, appears to have a key role in retaining memories in old age. Illustration: Steven Gregor/The Observer

Reverse the ‘forgetting curve’

The forgetting curve is a visual representation of how much we forget if we don’t try to retain what we learn (a lot; pretty much everything). To combat that, it’s vital to test your recall at intervals. You don’t need to try to remember something specific: Nishant Kasibhatla, memory expert, grand master of memory and memory Guinness record holder, says you can improve your memory by practising recall at any time. Try it when you next get a coffee: “Who were the people in the queue? What colour was that poster? What else was on the menu?”

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