Hyperthymesia, lasting memories
How many times we regret not being able to remember where we have put an object, or forget to congratulate someone on their birthday. We renounce our fragile memory when not working as it should and play us some dirty trick, but can you imagine what would be remembered each and every one of the moments of your life, the details of your environment and the words of your fellows?
Because although it seems science fiction hyperthymesia or hipertimesico syndrome is real - although extremely uncommon - and people who suffer from it are unable to forget, so that in principle may seem a blessing - look what advantage in preparing you for an opposition - is actually a gift poisoned because they not only logically remember good moments but also, and with total precision, unpleasant situations that all prefer to forget and, for example, it is impossible to overcome trauma.
There are very few cases that have been detected around the world, although it is possible that many more people with this particularity that have not done so public. A very famous case is that of the American broadcaster Brad Williams, which is known as the human Google because in addition to remember even the smallest detail of his life since childhood, he has competed with the search box answering questions and proving to be faster than in the majority of cases.
Hipertimesicas people remember with absolute clarity the sad or unpleasant events that have lived, such as the death of a loved one or a sentimental failure
Hipertimesicas people are not more intelligent, since limited to remember - the most inconsequential--data that will not help them in resolving specific problems. In addition, to the bitterness of remember with absolute clarity the sad or unpleasant events that have lived - as the death of a loved or sentimental failure--should add to its capacity of abstraction is very limited because of the amount of information retained and also therefore costs them much focus.
Experts say that human beings need to forget trivial details so that out of the way when it comes to retrieve the really important experiences or affect our brain's ability to make abstractions. However, studying the extraordinary capacity of the few people with hyperthymesia - whose mechanism is still unknown-, can help scientists discover new ways to address the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that affect memory, such as Alzheimer's.
Because although it seems science fiction hyperthymesia or hipertimesico syndrome is real - although extremely uncommon - and people who suffer from it are unable to forget, so that in principle may seem a blessing - look what advantage in preparing you for an opposition - is actually a gift poisoned because they not only logically remember good moments but also, and with total precision, unpleasant situations that all prefer to forget and, for example, it is impossible to overcome trauma.
There are very few cases that have been detected around the world, although it is possible that many more people with this particularity that have not done so public. A very famous case is that of the American broadcaster Brad Williams, which is known as the human Google because in addition to remember even the smallest detail of his life since childhood, he has competed with the search box answering questions and proving to be faster than in the majority of cases.
The opposite of amnesia
The hyperthymesia is also called hyper because, contrary to what happens with amnesia, a condition that prevents it suffering access their memories, in this case the individual has an excess of memories which, moreover, cannot erase as much as you want. Thus, everything stays etched in his memory, from an image or a text, phrases of a conversation or emotions that have been felt in every situation or circumstance of his life.Hipertimesicas people remember with absolute clarity the sad or unpleasant events that have lived, such as the death of a loved one or a sentimental failure
Hipertimesicas people are not more intelligent, since limited to remember - the most inconsequential--data that will not help them in resolving specific problems. In addition, to the bitterness of remember with absolute clarity the sad or unpleasant events that have lived - as the death of a loved or sentimental failure--should add to its capacity of abstraction is very limited because of the amount of information retained and also therefore costs them much focus.
Experts say that human beings need to forget trivial details so that out of the way when it comes to retrieve the really important experiences or affect our brain's ability to make abstractions. However, studying the extraordinary capacity of the few people with hyperthymesia - whose mechanism is still unknown-, can help scientists discover new ways to address the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that affect memory, such as Alzheimer's.
Article contributed for educational purposes