what research or evidence is there that memories are stored in our organs and tissues?

Question

I not interested in urban myth or wives tales... I am very interested in any research or medical, or psychological proof that memories are stored in more than just our brains.
I am trying to make a very important decision and need information to help me make the right decision.

Answer 1

Sorry can't lay my hands on the best reference but you could try looking up Roger Penrose and his (among others) theory on the function of mitachondria. This, to my knowledge is possibly the closest thing to a scientific theory related to mental functions occuring other than as the direct result of synapses. 'Memory storage' on the otherhand is probably thought of as something more formal, more to do with classical science than quantum mechanics.

My opinion, and yes I take into account that you said you were most interested in research and proof, is that for a start you can't separate the three (brain, body and environment) to establish anything more than a behaviourist's proof of where memories are stored. The human body appears to me to be cybernetic in its systematic function and I can't see how memory does not employ, as it very well appears to, many complex feedback systems operating between the brain, the body and the environment.

The student who cheats in the exam by writing notes on their hand is chucked out for using memory aids. That is to say using notes as an aid to memory. The student who goes one better and has the answers tatooed on their arm or scratched or burnt into their arm has in effect stored memory in their tissue in a way no different from the scar on their leg that reminds them of why they are afraid of dogs. Or, the twinge of gout just at the moment they are about to kick the footbal back over the neighbours fence. Memories are stored in things we call keepsakes as well as in tissue and organs. That seems obvious and quite un-esoteric to me.

If you are speaking of something metaphysical like the spirit then I can't advise you. I even think Penrose has gone too far in that direction.

You know, it probably comes down to the particular memories you wish to keep. If they are really important I'm sure that under most circumstances you will hold on to them as long as there is a self-conscious 'you' able to hold on to them. If their isn't a self-conscious you it certainly won't matter since you won't remember much of anything anyway. If you fear the worst, that is, being conscious of the fact that you've forgotten something important then you would be in a pickle not unlike some Alzheimers sufferers. But, of course, with Alzheimers you'd inevitably forget that too.

Answer 2

Body memory is the theory that the body itself is capable of storing memories, as opposed to only the brain. This is used to explain having memories for events where the brain was not in a position to store memories and is sometimes a catalyst for repressed memories recovery. These memories are often characterised with phantom pain in a part or parts of the body - the body appearing to remember the past trauma.







The symptons for the syndrome are:

Recurrent behaviour patterns, flashbacks, emotional responses, pain, or other sensations, generally associated with certain triggers (events, people, colours, sounds, skin pressure, etc).
There being no explanation for that phenomena in present contexts.


In order to gain a body memory, according to the theory, one simply needs to go through a traumatic experience and the body may store this memory in any place in the body that participated in the event - such as the arm, if it got burnt.

Some believe that a Body memory can even be from a past life and can have a physical manifestation, such as skin blistering.


Body memory is sometimes cited as evidence for sexual abuse. If this is the only evidence that person has, it may be because, at the time the abuse is claimed to have occurred, normal memory formation was not possible - such as if the victim was unconscious, or was a baby, or was in shock. Body memory does not need to preclude actual memory - and ongoing disabilities after a known trauma can sometimes be seen as body memory. The theory that bad experiences get imprinted could be seen as similar to the beliefs of Scientology.

For those who believe in repressed memory, body memory often forms part of the package of evidence. If a sexual abuse survivor, when recounting a story, suddenly finds breathing difficult, under body memory theory, this is the body remembering a moment in the abuse when breathing was difficult. In this way, a person who suffered past traumas continues to link present day ailments to the past trauma, often regardless of the time past since the event. There is seen to be no particular time limit or quantity limit to body memories.

The Courage to Heal, a book that encourages Repressed Memory Therapy, has the slogan "The body remembers what the mind forgets."



One explanation is that the trauma is stored within the body's 'energy fields, which is a pseudoscientific explanation.

Body memory could be an ad-hoc explanation for normal body reactions. It may be a way of disassociating responsibility for a personal condition.

Few studies have been done on the subject.



The theory of body memory is not supported by what is currently known as to how memory works and what non-brain organs are capable of doing.

Answer 3

People in a coma... or severely brain damaged would probably be the best area to research. I have a very good friend who was in a coma for a few months. Most of that time he was on a breathing machine with a catheter. Now and for the last few years his level of brain damage is a level 1. He's not on any machines now, but he has has daily physical therapy. He doesn't move or speak or show signs that he os aware of anything, but he's alive. A leve zero, you could take a bat to and they wouldn't feel it. A level 1 you could prick with needle and they would flinch. The only thing they respond to is pain. It would be interesting to really understand.

Answer 4

There is evidence, the brain is the organ that stores memories and and brain tissues contain them

Answer 5

i have not seen any evidence of this - only experiential claims.

Even so, i must admit, i haven't spent a year in libraries researching the topic.

Answer 6

the only memory that an organ retains is its basic function..but without a brain [organ] these functions fail to work they need to be jump started.

Answer 7

Our memory is kept in our brain.I believe it is kept in temporal lobe.

Answer 8

None that I am aware of...