Boost Your Memory Like Einstein by Using Your Left and Right Brain

Improve Your Memory with Both Hemispheres In my previous post, ‘Why Train Your Brain‘, I explain how the memory track is formed. In this post, I will explain how memory tracks are stored in different parts of your brain, and that each has their own specialization.

The Two Hemispheres of Your Brain

Your brain consists of two main parts, which are also called hemispheres. The right part is commonly known as the emotional side, with the left part being the rational side. One of the reasons for this is that your right hemisphere has more connections with other parts of your brain, such as the limbic system. Your right hemisphere also specializes in spatial and visual memories. The left hemisphere, on the other hand, specializes in the storage of words and numbers. It focuses on details, tries to bring order to the received information, and is very good in analysis; whereas the right hemisphere tries to comprehend the complete picture. Together they provide the perfect synthesis.

What are the Specializations of the Two Hemispheres?

Tony Buzan has given a very clear summary of the specializations in his Mind Map Book. In the image below, I have applied a trick called mnemonics, which is a device to help you remember something easily. In this case a list of facts.

The Subdivision of the Two Hemispheres

Each of the hemispheres is divided into four lobes, and each of these has their own specialization. They are the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobe. Of these, the temporal lobe specializes in hearing and language. The occipital lobe controls your ability to see. The frontal lobe controls your muscles and your movement, but is also responsible for your motivation and the formation of your identity; which it does by giving meaning to your memories and actions. And the parietal lobe connects your senses, but is also the area that defines your orientation and let’s you know where you are in a certain space.

What Are Other Essential Parts of Your Brain?

As I mentioned above, the right part of your brain is better connected with the limbic system than the left part of your brain. It’s therefore considered your ‘emotional side’. But the limbic system consists of several essential brain parts:

The hippocampus; which is responsible for the transfer of information from your short term memory to your long term memory.
The amygdala; which is vital if we are to record the emotions that accompany certain experiences.
The hypothalamus; which directs the endocrine system (secretion of hormones) and the autonomous nerve system (regulation of unconscious functions such as the beating of your heart, breathing, and digestion).

How are the Two Hemispheres Connected?

The two hemispheres are connected by the corpus collosum, which enables them to communicate with each other. The corpus collosum is an elongated strip which mainly consists of axons. These axons come from neurons which are situated in other parts of the brain.

Did You Know?

That women have a larger corpus collosum than men. In other words, the strip has more connections between the left and right side of the brain. This means the two sides are able to work better together, which explains why women are more intuitive than men. It’s why, for example, a woman can often sense the emotion behind what’s being said. Men, on the other hand, lack this ’emotional radar’.

The Different Parts of Your Brain Co-operate As One System

So to recap, your brain is made up of different parts and every part has a different specialization. Some parts are very good at storing forms, while others are very good at storing words. However, what you should also know, is that all parts of the brain work together, and that memory tracks are stored in multiple parts of the brain. You see, your memory works as a complete system and multiple parts of your brain are used in everything you do. Even the simplest activity. For example, when you ride your bicycle, you might see a junction ahead (visual/spatial memory), know instinctively to stop and give way to the right (complex conceptual memory), then hit the breaks to slow down in time (movement- sensory and spatial memory). And for more complex activities? Well, Einstein noted that using both hemispheres consistently helped him to unleash huge amounts of ‘brain energy’.

TIP: Involve Multiple Memory Systems When Storing Information

Since there are always multiple memory systems involved, even with the simplest activity, it is also easier to access (remember) a memory track when the happening or information is stored in multiple ways. So when trying to memorize certain information, you should involve as many parts of the brain as possible. This will make it a lot easier for you to store it. By stimulating different areas of your brain simultaneously you improve your ability to think, you will remember more, and you will be able to recall things much quicker. This fact forms the basis of mnemotechnics and mind mapping; which are explained in my following post. But for now it’s enough to know, that if you’re studying you should use both hemispheres and associate the experiences of your senses with the material you’re reading. For example, when I have to remember boring facts, I will:

Make them rhyme
Fit them it into a song that I like.

Later, when I need to recall these facts, I simply start the tune in my head and the facts come to me naturally.

For Further Reading About How To Improve Your Memory By Using Both Hemispheres, I Recommend:

[amazon_link id=”0452266033″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Use Both Sides of Your Brain: New MindMap Techniques[/amazon_link], by Tony Buzan
[amazon_link id=”1406644269″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Memory Book[/amazon_link], by Tony Buzan