How Does Your Memory Work?

Horizon journeys into the human memory, from how it emerges in childhood, develops through to adulthood, and fades in middle age. You might think that your memory is there to help you remember facts, such as birthdays or shopping lists. If so, you would be very wrong. The ability to travel back in time in your mind is, perhaps, your most remarkable ability, and develops over your lifespan. Horizon takes viewers on an extraordinary journey into the human memory. From the woman who is having her most traumatic memories wiped by a pill, to the man with no memory, this film reveals how these remarkable human stories are transforming our understanding of this unique human ability. The findings reveal the startling truth that everyone is little more than their own memory.

Other episodes for this season

How to Kill a Human Being
Episode 1 - How to Kill a Human Being
Total Isolation
Episode 2 - Total Isolation
What on Earth is Wrong With Gravity?
Episode 3 - What on Earth is Wrong Wi...
Is Alcohol Worse than Ecstasy?
Episode 4 - Is Alcohol Worse than Ecs...
How to Make Better Decisions
Episode 5 - How to Make Better Decisi...
How to Live to be 101
Episode 6 - How to Live to be 101
Prof. Regan's Supermarket Secrets
Episode 7 - Prof. Regan's Supermarket...
Are we Alone in the Universe?
Episode 8 - Are we Alone in the Unive...
How Much is Your Dead Body Worth?
Episode 9 - How Much is Your Dead Bod...
How Does Your Memory Work?
Episode 10 - How Does Your Memory Work?
The President's Guide to Science
Episode 11 - The President's Guide to...
How Mad Are You? (1 of 2)
Episode 12 - How Mad Are You? (1 of 2)
How Mad Are You? (2 of 2)
Episode 13 - How Mad Are You? (2 of 2)
Jimmy's GM Food Fight
Episode 14 - Jimmy's GM Food Fight
Do You Know What Time It Is?
Episode 15 - Do You Know What Time It...
Allergy Planet
Episode 16 - Allergy Planet
Where's My Robot?
Episode 17 - Where's My Robot?