THE BRAIN’S QUIET ROLE IN HOLDING ON TO THE ONES WE’VE LOST
by Phyllis Wagner with images by Ron Lach
ON
a quiet afternoon, you catch a familiar whiff of cologne and suddenly he’s there with you again—if only in memory. Your heart skips; for a split second, you could swear you heard his laugh in the next room. Moments like these feel surreal yet comforting. In grief, memory has a gentle way of bending time, allowing us to hold close those we’ve lost even as we know they’re gone. Modern neuroscience is beginning to illuminate how and why our brains cling to these precious remnants. By exploring emotional memory, how our minds store cherished moments, and the process of recalling someone we miss, we can better understand why remembering a loved one can hurt and heal all at once. In the past year alone, new studies have offered insight into this bittersweet process—helping to explain, in clear and human terms, the brain’s role in holding on to those we’ve lost.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker