Your computer can hold only so much data in its memory before there’s no room left. When that happens, not only can you no longer download or update new files, programs, or apps, the ones you already have often run less efficiently. So, does the same thing happen with our brains? Can they run out of memory storage? The answer is no — the human brain has virtually unlimited storage capacity. Brains and computers are somewhat alike in one way, however. Whenever you open a file on your computer and then close it, it re-saves the document. If you make any changes to that document, those changes become a part of the document, unless, of course, you tell the computer not to save the changes. Memories work in a similar fashion. Whenever you retrieve a memory, you open them up so they can incorporate new information. That could explain why you and your siblings have somewhat different memories of childhood. You have different memories of the same event because those memories have naturally migrated in different directions, and it’s not clear who’s right. What’s happening in these situations is that you’ve opened up a network of neurons and your memory makes small changes each time you do that. Over several years, that memory can morph into a slightly different memory. After a while, you’re no longer remembering an event — you’re remembering a memory. So, although you don’t have to worry about running out of room to store your memories, it may become harder to trust them.
