How to Improve Memory and Concentration Using Ayurveda
As we get older, learning new skills and remembering day-to-day information can become more of a challenge. The American Psychological Association (APA) explains how some types of memory remain steady or even improve over time, but others will decline. Episodic memory, which allows us to remember past events, tends to worsen with age.
Science has also shown that our ability to multi-task reduces over time due to brain changes.
How can you look after your memory, then? Is there a way to help your brain stay sharp and well?
While there’s no “quick fix”, Ayurveda has a role to play in promoting healthy cognition.
In this article, we’ll be discussing:
The importance of cognitive health
Alzheimer's Disease statistics: US & worldwide
Neuroinflammation
Adaptogenic herbs
How to improve memory retention (and the perils of multitasking)
Neurogenesis
Ayurveda recommendations for memory and concentration
The Importance of Cognitive Health
Clearly, memory and concentration are both vital for our day-to-day life.
The human mind has an incredible capability to access events from the past and experience them in real-time, almost as if you’re looking at a photo album or video showreel.
Being able to recall the lyrics of your favorite song…
Have a certain scent take you back to a happy time…
And talk with your family about a funny time from five years ago…
There’s no doubt that such abilities, that we can take for granted, enrich our quality of life.
They give our experiences more color and depth, which is motivating for us to research how to improve memory retention.
Not only that, but the ability to concentrate means that we can study for exams, learn new job tasks, and be present to the moment for calmness of mind.
These reasons combined make cognitive health so important to consider.
Alzheimer's Disease Statistics: US & Worldwide
World Alzheimer’s Month is held in September each year.
For those who take an interest in the topic of memory, the latest Alzheimer’s Disease statistics may be a surprise:
Around the world, someone develops a type of dementia every 3 seconds.
In the United States, more than 5 million people are living with Alzheimer's.
One in 10 people who are aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's.
In 2015, the estimated number of people living with dementia worldwide was 46.8 million. The figure is set to double every 20 years, reaching 131.5 million in 2050.
What Is Neuroinflammation?
First off, what exactly is neuroinflammation (NI) and how can it impact cognition?
According to Science Direct, neuroinflammation is the brain’s immune system response to inflammatory irritants. This leads to changes within the molecules and cells of the brain. Worryingly, the process of neuroinflammation is linked to diseases of the central nervous system. If we can ease inflammation, this has the potential to improve patient outcomes.
Alzheimer’s is classified as a neurodegenerative disease. A brain scan of an individual with Alzheimer’s will typically show protein plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Research suggests that inflammatory cytokines may trigger protein plaque build-up, which quickens neurodegeneration.
Also, the increase in white blood cell (WBC) count caused by neuroinflammation is associated with brain aging and symptoms of dementia.
How can you protect your brain from neuroinflammation, then?
While it’s been suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help with delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s or slowing its progression, some people do not wish to take such drugs.
With this in mind, adaptogenic herbs used in Ayurveda are another option to explore for promoting brain health.
Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogenic herbs come in the form of teas, tinctures, and powders. They assist the body and brain to cope with stress.
These herbs adapt (hence the name) how they work in the body according to an individual’s physical composition.
You can think of adaptogenic herbs as helpful “balancers” that can either stimulate or relax different processes in the body.
Clinical trials have found that adaptogens reduce brain fatigue and support with the maintenance of homeostasis.
Which herbs should you try?
Healthline lists 12 different herbs in this article, but we don’t want you to feel overwhelmed.
Here are three key herbs that we often suggest at Ayurvedic Healing:
Ashwagandha: Grown in India and parts of Africa, this evergreen shrub has been used by medical experts for centuries to treat stress, memory loss, and many other health issues.
Ayurvedic medicine categories the herb as a Rasayana for longevity and maintenance of youth.
2. Astragalus: This is a wonder herb for anti-aging, anti-inflammation, and improving immunity.
Mechanisms for astragalus include fatigue reduction and treatment of the common cold.
3.Rosemary: Yes, you may mix this herb into soups or stews, but the wonderful taste of this herb isn’t the only benefit!
Rosemary has also been long-used for memory improvements, boosting circulation, and pain relief.
How to Improve Memory Retention
If you’re looking for ways to improve your memory retention and recall, thankfully, there are a variety of simple strategies you can follow.
We’ll get the most boring approach out of the way first…
Repetition, repetition, repetition.
That’s right. Going over new pieces of information several times is one of the best strategies for retention.
Get creative to make the task more fun, whether that’s repeating the information out loud, writing notes, or drawing doodles.
You can also use mnemonic devices to associate a new phrase or term with something you’re already familiar with.
Tell a story or think of a funny image to make retention easier for your brain by incorporating emotion.
Stress management is another key priority to optimize your memory.
As reported by Harvard Medical School, stress is linked to a host of brain and heart diseases.
Simply put, being in a state of stress saps energy from your brain that would be used for other cognitive tasks such as memory recall and concentration.
The final strategy we’ll mention is to avoid multitasking.
We realize that life can get busy, but Stanford psychologists have discovered that frequent multitaskers have poorer memories.
If you’re wondering how to improve memory retention, analyze what are common distractions for you during the day.
Maybe it’s emails on your computer or social media on your phone?
While these can be tempting to check multiple times a day, they are taxing on the brain.
Keep the task switching to a minimum, where possible.
Neurogenesis in Adults
Neurogenesis sounds complex, but the definition is simple enough.
Essentially, it’s the process of new neurons being built in the brain.
Traditionally, neurogenesis was only thought to occur during pregnancy and the perinatal stages.
However, modern science has discovered that new neurons form throughout the lifespan.
Neurogenesis in adults may be encouraged in a number of ways, including:
Mental training, e.g. learning new skills
How to Improve Memory and Concentration with Ayurveda
We don’t claim to “cure” memory-related diseases. You should always speak with a doctor if you have concerns about your cognition.
However, these natural products have been carefully crafted to support brain health:
Vital Memory: A special Ayurvedic formula to improve concentration and recall, improve learning ability, and relax the mind.
The ingredient Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), also called brahmi, helps to improve mental performance and cognitive function.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a rejuvenative nervine which supports nervous imbalance, and Vacha (Acorus calamus) promotes mental strength.
Finally, Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) boosts memory and improves intellect.
Suggested Products for Memory and Concentration
Thank you for reading our article on how to improve memory and concentration using Ayurveda.
Check out our range of natural formulas above, which can help with promoting better cognition.
To health and happiness,
Ayurvedic Healing
