We all experience the frustration of forgetting something, whether it's a word "on the tip of our tongue," misplacing glasses or keys, or forgetting why we walked into a room.

In today's information-saturated world, forgetting is almost unavoidable. According to psychology and neuroscience professor Charan Ranganath (University of California), the average American processes about 34 gigabytes, or 11.8 hours, of information daily.

According to Ranganath, memory science reveals that the human brain is designed to forget. Cognitive psychologist George Miller's classic 1956 study suggested humans can hold only 7 units of information in mind at once. Later studies reduced this number to about 3 or 4.

"I think there's a common misconception that we should remember everything around us," he said.

The brain operates on a principle of economy—taking in as little information as necessary, but making the most of it. "Sometimes it's what you expect, sometimes it's what surprises you, and that's when memories become more meaningful," he added. However, this also means we can easily miss something, then feel frustrated because our attention was misplaced at the wrong time.

Forgetting keys is a common experience. Photo: CNN

Forgetting keys is a common experience. Photo: CNN

Therefore, Ranganath advises against trying to remember more; instead, remember effectively. "Sometimes, remembering better means remembering less," he said. One effective technique is grouping information, combining multiple items into one meaningful unit. Memory athletes use this strategy, structuring information to transform 10 things into 1.

Ranganath shared five tips to combat a "goldfish brain," summarized by the acronym "MEDIC." Each letter represents a memory principle:

M is for Meaning: Connect what you want to remember to something personally significant. For example, if you love Greek mythology and want to remember Charon, the ferryman of the underworld, you might link it to Charan, a common Indian name and also Professor Ranganath's name. "Imagine me ferrying the dead to the other world," he said. Vivid imagery makes names easier to remember.

E is for Error: Test your knowledge. Trial-and-error learning is a highly effective memorization method. "For example, when learning a foreign word, guess the meaning," he said. Knowing the correct answer helps the brain adjust memories, strengthening connections to accurate information and reducing interference from incorrect options.

D is for Distinctiveness: Make it stand out. Like a pink sheet of paper among yellow ones, distinctive memories are easier to recall. For example, when putting down your keys, noticing a specific detail—a sound, an image, or a particular location—can aid retrieval.

I is for Importance: Link to significance. The brain prioritizes biologically important events like rewards, fear, or embarrassment. During these moments, neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline, or serotonin are released, enhancing memory consolidation. Curiosity has a similar effect, activating dopamine-related brain regions and promoting learning.

C is for Context: Recall through senses. Humans remember better with visuals. Associate memories with specific times and places. For example, a song linked to a summer vacation or the smell of your grandmother's cooking can instantly transport you back in time.

"When you need to remember something, imagine the place with its emotions, images, and sounds, and you'll remember more," he said.

Bao Nhien (CNN)