​From rosemary water to chewing gum: 5 surprising ways to sharpen brain and boost memory​

We all have those moments when we forget the purpose of us walking into that room, or spend way too much time trying to remember a name that just seems out of reach. While these moments are common, they don’t have to be permanent. Small, everyday, thoughtful changes in our daily habits can make a real difference, some of which include, rest, movement or even scent, but each remedy has the potential to support a clearer and focused mind.
Scroll down to discover memory-boosting remedies!

Rosemary herb is very much in trend. Known for is countless benefits, for hair, body and now our brain. This was a major ingredient in folk medicine to support memory. A 2022 meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Neuroscience reviewed multiple animals studies and confirmed that Rosamarinus officinalis (rosemary) significantly enhanced memory and cognition. Just add fresh rosemary to warm water and sip it mindfully, it will enhance alertness and cognitive performance.

Chewing gum while studying or taking in new information might seem like an odd technique, but research proves it. Researchers believe this may be because the act of chewing increases blood flow to the brain, especially to areas linked with attention and memory. Chewing activates key brain regions that are involved in cognitive processing, including the prefrontal cortex, that is an essential part of attention, decision making and memory formation.

Wondering what this new ingredient is? Well, it is not new! Most of us have been eating it, not knowing it exists. Choline is a nutrient that if found in many foods. Our brain and nervous system desperately need it to regulate memory, mood and muscle control. This nutrient in our brains can make acetylcholine, that is a neurotransmitter linked to memory and learning. Its food sources are eggs (especially yolk), salmon and even cauliflower. If one has low levels of choline, that has been linked to poorer cognitive function over time.

Strange but true, research suggests that briefly closing your eyes and squeezing them tight after something may help recall it even better. The gentle pressure activates regions involved in visual memory. Based on 2011 study titled “ Eye closure helps memory by reducing cognitive load and enhancing visualisation” suggests that eyes during recall significantly boost memory performance. Such a simple action can meaningfully enhance memory and accuracy during recollection tasks.

Anything that engages our brain to work harder, such as playing an instrument boosts memory, coordination and brain plasticity. Studies further have shown that even short-term music lessons can improve verbal memory and attention, both in children and adults. A controlled study published in 2013 by Frontiers in Psychology, showed that participants who learned piano showed significant improvement on the stroop test, indicating better inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility.