I started writing this column some time ago. But then I forgot where I saved it. And what I named it. And the topic, frankly,

Naturally. I used my apparently shrinking and very well-likely misfiring noggin to get a little leg up on the old thinker, as it were.

See what I did there? Anyhoo.

According to recent findings by some big brains over at Psychology Today, there are several reasons why we forget things. Some of the most common include aging and Alzheimer’s disease, (the top two, by the by) and stress (again, no shocker there) as well as head injury, medications, depression and the interference of new and old memories.

So, they’re like duking it out up there?

Man, I knew my depression was, well, depressing, but now I find out that it’s also apparently literally causing me brain drain? Grrrrrr.

Either way, here are some other interesting tidbits I learned from that same piece.

There is this thing called neurogenesis. It is the process of creating and developing nervous tissue. Specifically, it is responsible for generating neurons from neural stem and progenitor cells.

Neurogenesis is most active during prenatal development, but it also continues in certain brain regions after birth and throughout our lifespan.

Who knew? I know, I know, people with brains much bigger than the one up in the noggin of yours truly.

Here’s more important stuff:

The hippocampus, a region of the brain that plays an important role in memory and spatial navigation, has 27 different types of neurons. Mine must be on vacation most of the time? Hmpf.

Neural stem cells differentiate into any one of a number of specialized cell types at specific times and in various regions in the brain. They can produce new neural cells of any type, including glial cells such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia.

Huh?

It went on to say that, “Until recently, neuroscientists believed that the central nervous system, including the brain, was incapable of neurogenesis and unable to regenerate. However, stem cells were discovered in parts of the adult brain in the 1990s, and adult neurogenesis is now accepted to be a normal process that occurs in the healthy brain.

So, maybe I have a fighting chance, after all?

It seems we may not store memories effectively, depending on the significance of said memory. Since new memories occur all time, we may also forget things because we focus more on understanding the world than remembering it. Scientifally speaking, “Forgetting is influenced by the biological processes of neurons, neurogenesis, and pattern separation.”

Say that three times fast.

It’s like my therapist told me: The bottom line is that you’ll remember the important things. You know like your Mom’s birthday or your anniversary, capisce? Back to brainiac stuff.

According to a Harvard study, as we age, our brain prioritizes more of the gist of what happened over the specifics of it. This can make us more prone to forgetting some of the details of a situation without wiping it out completely, I suppose? Hmpf.

Some practices that may help reduce forgetfulness include exercise, getting enough sleep, reducing stress levels and practicing mindfulness — which is just a fancy way of saying paying attention, yes?

If you’re like me and forgetting groceries at the store, constantly losing your train of thought or locking yourself out of the car or house, hit me up so, we can be clueless together.

Stress can cause temporary memory loss. Um, aren’t they cousins? They are at least BFFs.

I know the old adage blames the love of money, but if you ask me, stress is the root of all evil. If you don’t agree, please tell me. It will only you-know-what me out. Just sayin’.

Kimerer is a forgetful but cheerful writer. Tell her what YOU keep forgetting via pkimerer@zoominternet.net .