This Puzzle-Solving Moment Can 'Almost Double' Your Memory

Person solving Rubik's cubeA 2023 Australian paper found that puzzles like crosswords, cards, and chess may decrease dementia risk among those over 70. And though remembering the rules of a once-familiar game might be tough for those suffering cognitive decline, a 2013 French study suggests that playing board games is linked to better cognitive ability among dementia patients.Now, a new study published in the journal Nature Communications has linked the insight that solving puzzles can create to another “powerful” memory effect.Researchers from Duke, Humboldt, and Hamburg Universities found that the “aha!” moment might carry unique benefits.“Eureka” moments might be uniquely memorableThe scientists asked participants to solve puzzles called Mooney images while their brains were being monitored by an MRI system. These show black-and-white images of everyday scenes that your brain can take a little while to reconfigure into an understandable mental picture. They wanted to know whether the way in which people came to find a solution to their puzzles affected how well they remembered the answer.Participants were asked whether they gradually worked their way up the the satisfying moment, too, or if it came to them in a flash. Those who had a sudden “aha!” moment remembered the answer far better than those who got there more slowly, even five days later. “During these moments of insight, the brain reorganises how it sees the image,” the study’s first author, Maxi Becker, said in a statement. “The different regions communicate with each other more efficiently.” Meanwhile, in the same statement, the study’s co-author, Roberto Cabeza, a professor of psychology and neuroscience, said: “If you have an ‘aha!’ moment while learning something, it almost doubles your memory.“There are few memory effects that are as powerful as this.” Does this mean solving puzzles will improve my memory long-term?This (small) study didn’t seek to prove that.It just showed that of all the insights you can achieve when solving puzzles, sudden flashes of realisation seemed to stick with us the longest. Still, Becker told IFLScience, “The effect of insight on memory is striking and has meaningful implications for how we understand and support human learning.“This points to the value of learning experiences that promote insight – such as encouraging students to generate solutions, grapple with ambiguity, or engage in ways that spark ‘aha’ moments. Such approaches may not only improve retention but also foster deeper, more conceptual understanding.” As this study suggests, when the penny drops, your memory may rise.Related...More Menopause Symptoms May Predict This 1 Change To Your Memory Later In LifeExercising Exactly This Many Minutes A Day May Improve Your MemoryWhat Makes A 'Core Memory'?

Comments

Breaking news

Man arrested after Glasgow streets locked down by police

The Herald

Comments

Breaking news

Man arrested after Glasgow streets locked down by police

Body found in search for missing hillwalker on Skye

Trump’s riot squad throws flash grenades at protesters outside immigration raid

Tommy Robinson kicked out of London restaurant because ‘staff didn’t want to serve him’

Woman Divides Internet Over 'Black Tie' Wedding Guest Dress – But What Does The Term Actually Mean?

Covid surge in Asia sparks concern about emergence of more infectious variants

Warning UK’s housing crisis will deepen if Reeves makes further cuts in spending review

Brothers bring boxing back to Fenway after 70 years and hope to revitalize the sport in Boston

AP PHOTOS: Afghans mark Eid al-Adha on its third year since the return of the Taliban

The crack-riddled seaside town where dealers flog £15k hauls in Asda bags and junkies hole up in filthy ‘death row’

Police officer, 36, killed after colleague ‘accidentally shot her in back during chase’ as tributes paid to ‘tough’ cop

Luxury-loving engineer, 31, who ran drug empire to fund lavish holidays & buy second home ordered to pay back just £96k

‘Fame-hungry’ Titan sub boss Stockton Rush ‘wanted to die at world’s most famous shipwreck in high-profile disaster’

Cheese factory 'chemical spill' leaves 17 people injured as hazard team respond

Netflix's Dept Q star had an ordinary job before landing life-changing role

'I went to Benidorm on holiday and couldn't believe cost of a pint'

Pensioner dies after horror crash on Scots road as emergency crews race to scene

Body found during search for 'experienced walker' on Scots island

Scotland's top six fishing spots and what you can catch at each named

Dog owners are just finding out what it means when pooch sleeps on your pillow

Biker dies after being airlifted to hospital following horror crash near loch

Explosives hidden in animal carcasses used in new warfare tactic in Ukraine

Experts reveal how you could win Tuesday’s £208,000,000 EuroMillions jackpot

Gen Z Men Are Battling 'Loneliness Epidemic' In The Gym – But It's Not Always Healthy

Elon Musk Is Still Not Your Friend

Body of Thai hostage has been retrieved in Gaza, Israel defence minister says

A top Taliban official offers amnesty to Afghans who fled the country and urges them to return

A $2.8 billion settlement will change college sports forever. Here’s how

‘He’s a bad guy’: Trump backs decision to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to US to face charges

Former police officer sentenced after lying about leaking info to Proud Boys leader

Can Pope Leo XIV solve the Vatican funding crisis? Here’s how the Holy See manages money

NHS to get up to £30 billion as other services squeezed in spending review

UK judge warns of risk to justice after lawyers cited fake AI-generated cases in court

Southern hockey surge: NHL teams thrive in non-traditional markets, from Texas to Florida

Russia is already at war with Britain and we can no longer rely on Trump, defence adviser warns

As a generation of gay and lesbian people ages, memories of worse — and better — times swirl

John Lewis slashes perks for credit card holders

Rancid-smelling super ants that form whopping colonies & even eat CABLES rampaging across Europe – & could infest the UK

‘TikTok addicted’ mum-of-two, 29, who stole £300k from her firm to spend on ‘tokens’ for favourite creators is jailed

Glasgow city centre streets locked down for six hours as man arrested over 'disturbance'

More ScotRail services for TRNSMT demanded after chaotic travel scenes last year

Three people rushed to hospital after horror motorbike crash on Highland road

Rod Stewart 'devastated' to cancel shows ahead of Glastonbury legends slot

Family of Cole Cooper cancel search after body found in hunt for missing teen

Jeremy Clarkson's daughter made Lisa Hogan 'burst into tears' with comment

Cartel queenpin dubbed 'The Fat Lady' finally caught after rival's brutal murder

Moment woman breaks down in tears after she's 'berated' by airline for simple error

Prince Harry's 'nonsense' plan for kids amid 'nail in coffin' decision over family

Neighbourhoods where people are most likely to be mugged, carjacked or robbed

Tony's chocolate fans are just finding out how it's meant to be pronounced

‘Miracle’ hair growth gummies that ‘transform hair in weeks’ and make nails grow long

Exact time thunderstorms end as UK faces more rain in 9 hours than all of April

Derby tragedy as Norman's Cay dies in heartbreak for football agent Kia Joorabchian

Couple's £2,000 holiday wrecked by 'view from hell' that stopped them having tea on balcony

Missing teen's family issue major update as body found after disturbing video

River Island at risk as 230-store chain calls in advisers for help

Woman fuming as neighbour refuses 'unhinged' reason to use her garden

Youngsters could face two-hour social media cap per app in new online safety package

Rule allows supermarkets to sell 'deadly' super-strong cider for 'pocket-money prices'

This anti-hair wrap cordless vacuum just dropped to £99 from £299 - and buyers say it's 'better than Shark'