Are you one of those people who needs a GPS tracker on their keys and constantly finds cups of cold, undrunken tea around you? Well, you’re actually in luck.
Contrary to popular belief, being forgetful is a sign of intelligence. Suck it trivia champs.
A new research review – published in the journal Neuron – has found that forgetting is a key part of learning. Researchers say that the purpose of ‘memory’ is not to remember facts, but to retain only the most valuable information that will help with intelligent decision making.
“The real goal of memory is to optimise decision-making,” says study author Professor Blake Richards.
“It’s important that the brain forgets irrelevant details and instead focuses on the stuff that’s going to help make decisions in the real world. If you’re trying to navigate the world and your brain is constantly bringing up multiple conflicting memories, that makes it harder for you to make an informed decision.”
So forgetting small details is an indication that your brain is working effectively.
RELATED: Women Who Have More Sex Have Better Memory, Study Finds
This article originally appeared on Women’s Health Australia.
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