Why is it that we can vividly remember a particular smell from years ago, but can’t remember where we put our keys a mere few hours prior? This month, we’re joined by renowned neuroscientist and author Dr Charan Ranganath to discuss how and why we remember. Charan is a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, and Director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at UC Davis, and has recently released his first book ‘Why We Remember’. Charan takes us on a journey through our own minds, and a forward look at the future of memory research.

Ri Science Podcast episodes are released on the last Wednesday of every month. This podcast was recorded in February 2024.

Producer: Lia Hale
Assistant producer: Freddie Rodgers
Interviewer: Lisa Derry
Music: Joseph Sandy

0:00 Introduction
0:40 Journey into memory research
2:27 How does memory work?
4:09 Episodic vs Semantic memory
7:00 Mental time travel
8:49 Memory retrieval cues
10:20 Memory misconceptions
13:14 Neuroscience through the years
15:08 Memory loss in disease
19:00 How AI will impact our memory
21:04 Memory and creativity
26:16 The secret to remembering
29:50 Substances that inhibit our memory
33:33 One key takeaway

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