Who needs to remember anything these days? Phone numbers are stored on cell phones, shopping lists are written in advance, directions are available on the navigation system, and any other information you can't remember can easily be retrieved from Google.

Digital dementia

With the ever-increasing use of technology, people are losing the ability to remember things or to orient themselves. Memory requires less and less effort. Scientists now speak of "digital dementia" when our memory capacity shrinks due to the constant presence of digital media. This results in concentration difficulties that begin in small ways. While parents and grandparents could still memorize dozens of phone numbers a few years ago, today's young people are already wondering what the last name of the person stored on their cell phone is. Memory training can help with this. Many don't associate the term with the best experiences and may be transported back to their school days.

Dr. Gunther Karsten, memory world champion, eight-time German champion, and multiple world record holder, demonstrates a completely different approach to learning. "A fun way!" is how Karsten describes the method of the "seven mental skills for a successful memory" and promises a positive side effect on other mental (cognitive) abilities. For example, he suggests transforming abstract and difficult-to-understand information into learning material that is as vivid and visual as possible. As an example, he offers the idea of ​​connecting the atomic number 92 of the chemical element uranium with a great-grandfather (e.g., grandfather) who is 92 years old. "Then you have perfectly transformed the abstract number into an emotionally charged (and easier to remember) age."

What can you do about digital dementia?

To avoid becoming too forgetful in the digital age, you should also use cell phones or similar devices less and live more like you did in the pre-digital age. It's also a good idea to memorize and learn as much as possible, but reading books or watching films is also an alternative. Talking about the information you've received and learned can also train your memory. Here are some more tips:

1. Medical remedies for better memory performance?

Yes, these medications exist and are prescribed by family doctors and psychologists. One of the best-known chemicals used to improve memory performance is Ritalin . In the US, it has been used to treat children who were unable to focus on a single thought due to ADHD. However, it is strongly discouraged to use such medications unless absolutely medically necessary. Anyone suffering from memory problems should consult a doctor to determine whether other factors may be responsible.

2. Memory training

Memory performance can be increased or improved. Extensive scientific studies have even been conducted on this topic. A combination of natural nutritional supplements and specialized memory training has proven to be the most effective. Memory training is now a broad field, with even actual competitions. In many countries, memory training is a sport in its own right and is recognized as such. Memory training works through various exercises. You solve mental exercises and work out the solutions to puzzles. These exercises, like memory training or similar, are divided into different levels.

3. Can (digital) dementia be prevented with memory training?

Dementia is a disease that typically occurs in old age. Dementia is generally defined as a decline in mental function. Whether dementia—the loss and decline of memory and concentration, even leading to the inability to care for oneself—can actually be prevented with such training sessions has not yet been sufficiently researched. However, scientists believe that actively training the brain can be beneficial, thus improving and maintaining memory performance even in old age.