Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCharacteristicsBenefits and DrawbacksWho Gets It?Improving Memory
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Characteristics
Benefits and Drawbacks
Who Gets It?
Improving Memory
Hyperthymesiais when a person can remember most of their life experiences and things they learned with great detail. This is different from having an above-average memory. There is no individual test for hyperthymesia, but evaluation procedures include extensive memory testing and questions related to public events that happened in the past.
Hyperthymesia is also sometimes referred to as hyperthymestic syndrome or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM).
Learn about hyperthymesia, the signs, benefits, downsides, who gets it, and more.
Luis Alvarez / Getty Images
Defining Hyperthymesia Memory
People with hyperthymesia have a near-perfect memory. They can recall every single day of their lives, including a lot of detail, with almost complete accuracy. However, this does not mean they can learn new concepts more easily, and they typically receive average scores on intelligence tests.
It is their ability to remember that is exceptional.
What People Remember
The average person can remember important events and things that stand out to them. However, they tend to forget many things thebrainconsiders less important. Also, the details are generally not entirely accurate when you recall past experiences. This is why two people who share the same experience may have very different memories when retelling the story.
People with hyperthymesia, however, remember everything they experience.
Their memory holds onto learned information, such as the following, and they can recall very specific details of the place and time when they learned this information:
Brain Activity
The brain’s structure and activity level may differ among people with hyperthymesia. Each area of the brain has a role, as follows:
Research usingbrain imagingshows that people with hyperthymesia have a larger right amygdala and an improved connection between the amygdala and the hippocampus.They may also experience increased activity in the brain compared to people without hyperthymesia. This means that the brain may be sending and receiving moresignals.
How Do People Know They Have Hyperthymesia Syndrome?
There is no individual diagnostic test for hyperthymesia syndrome.
However, it can be identified with a combination of screening tools such as:
Hyperthymesia Benefits and Downsides
There are apparent benefits of hyperthymesia, such as having an easier time preparing for tests or remembering birthdays and anniversaries. However, there are downsides as well.
They remember all of their life events in accurate detail, even the unpleasant parts. Focusing too much on memories—especially unpleasant memories—can adversely affectsleepand increase the risk ofanxietyanddepression.
Who Gets Hyperthymesia?
Hyperthymesia is extremely rare. Although more cases are suspected, only 33 scientifically confirmed cases have been identified worldwide.Having so few cases makes identifying patterns and determining the condition’s causes challenging. It is not clear why some people get hyperthymesia.
While the causes are unknown, there may be some risk factors. Causes give rise to something occurring. Risk factors, though, can increase susceptibility but may or may not be the cause.
People with hyperthymesia have differences in their brains, such as a bigger right amygdala and an improved connection between the amygdala and the hippocampus, but this may not cause hyperthymesia.Geneticsmay play a role, but there is not enough research to support this theory. More research is needed to determine who gets hyperthymesia and why it happens.
People Without Hyperthymesia: How to Improve Memory
There is no known way to develop hyperthymesia. However, there are ways toimprove your memory. Additionally, these methods can help to prevent age-related memory loss.
Some ways to improve memory include:
While you can improve your memory through the above strategies, talk to a healthcare provider if you’re concerned about memory loss.
12 Ways to Improve Memory and Concentration
Summary
Hyperthymesia is more than a good memory. It occurs in people who can accurately remember almost everything they have ever experienced or learned. They can recall past events and information in detail, including dates and facts. While they have remarkable memory abilities, they typically have average scores on intelligence tests.
The cause of hyperthymesia is unknown, and no individual test exists to identify it. However, certain areas of the brain appear larger on imaging of people with this condition, and there may be a genetic component. Despite the benefits of having a good memory, hyperthymesia has downsides. It can be challenging to hold on to details of unpleasant events that people without hyperthymesia forget.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of California Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.Total recall: the people who never forget.Brandt J, Bakker A.Neuropsychological investigation of “the amazing memory man".Neuropsychology. 2018;32(3):304-316. doi:10.1037/neu0000410Ally BA, Hussey EP, Donahue MJ.A case of hyperthymesia: rethinking the role of the amygdala in autobiographical memory.Neurocase. 2013;19(2):166-181. doi:10.1080/13554794.2011.654225Woodward E, Sachschal J, Beierl ET, Ehlers A.Night-time rumination in PTSD: development and validation of a brief measure.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2019;10(1):1651476. doi:10.1080/20008198.2019.1651476Smithsonian.Rare people who remember everything.Harvard Medical School.Memory.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of California Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.Total recall: the people who never forget.Brandt J, Bakker A.Neuropsychological investigation of “the amazing memory man".Neuropsychology. 2018;32(3):304-316. doi:10.1037/neu0000410Ally BA, Hussey EP, Donahue MJ.A case of hyperthymesia: rethinking the role of the amygdala in autobiographical memory.Neurocase. 2013;19(2):166-181. doi:10.1080/13554794.2011.654225Woodward E, Sachschal J, Beierl ET, Ehlers A.Night-time rumination in PTSD: development and validation of a brief measure.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2019;10(1):1651476. doi:10.1080/20008198.2019.1651476Smithsonian.Rare people who remember everything.Harvard Medical School.Memory.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of California Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.Total recall: the people who never forget.Brandt J, Bakker A.Neuropsychological investigation of “the amazing memory man".Neuropsychology. 2018;32(3):304-316. doi:10.1037/neu0000410Ally BA, Hussey EP, Donahue MJ.A case of hyperthymesia: rethinking the role of the amygdala in autobiographical memory.Neurocase. 2013;19(2):166-181. doi:10.1080/13554794.2011.654225Woodward E, Sachschal J, Beierl ET, Ehlers A.Night-time rumination in PTSD: development and validation of a brief measure.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2019;10(1):1651476. doi:10.1080/20008198.2019.1651476Smithsonian.Rare people who remember everything.Harvard Medical School.Memory.
University of California Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.Total recall: the people who never forget.
Brandt J, Bakker A.Neuropsychological investigation of “the amazing memory man".Neuropsychology. 2018;32(3):304-316. doi:10.1037/neu0000410
Ally BA, Hussey EP, Donahue MJ.A case of hyperthymesia: rethinking the role of the amygdala in autobiographical memory.Neurocase. 2013;19(2):166-181. doi:10.1080/13554794.2011.654225
Woodward E, Sachschal J, Beierl ET, Ehlers A.Night-time rumination in PTSD: development and validation of a brief measure.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2019;10(1):1651476. doi:10.1080/20008198.2019.1651476
Smithsonian.Rare people who remember everything.
Harvard Medical School.Memory.
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