In this episode of Science Savvy, I explore how memory shapes identity and human culture.

The episode covers the evolutionary origins of memory, the brain regions involved, how memories are encoded, and how therapies (including MDMA) can help heal traumatic memories.

You will also get practical tips to improve your memory!

About Science Savvy: My name is Carmen Fairley, I have a background in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, and currently work in medical advisory. Science Savvy is a podcast that makes cutting-edge research accessible, turning complex science into stories that mean something for you.

Citations / Bibliography:

Chudek, Maciej, and Joseph Henrich. “Culture-gene coevolution, norm-psychology and the emergence of human prosociality.” Trends in cognitive sciences vol. 15,5 (2011): 218-26. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2011.03.003

Brockmeier, Jens. “Memory, Narrative, and the Consequences.” Topics in cognitive science vol. 11,4 (2019): 821-824. doi:10.1111/tops.12412

Sridhar, S., et al. Cognitive neuroscience perspective on memory. PMC 2023

Markowitsch, H. J. Memory and Self–Neuroscientific Landscapes. PMC 2013

D’Argembeau, A., et al. Brains creating stories of selves: the neural basis of autobiographical reasoning. PMC 2013

Martinelli, P., et al. Neural substrates of the self‑memory system: New insights. PMC 2012

Richerson, P. J., & Boyd, R. Gene‑culture coevolution in the age of genomics. PMC 2010

Strikwerda‑Brown, C., et al. “All is not lost” – Rethinking the nature of memory and self in dementia. PMC 2019

Repetto, C., et al. The neuroscience of body memory: Recent findings and implications. PMC 2023

Dégeilh, F., et al. Neural correlates of Self and its interaction with memory in adolescence. PMC 2015

Pais‑Vieira, C., et al. The influence of self‑awareness on emotional memory. PMC 2015