Time cells in our brain: what they are and how they are activated

Learn about time cells, how they work and how to take advantage of them

There are moments in our lives that are unforgettable.  You may be one of those people who remembers in detail the day you learned to skate:  the thrill of feeling your body in balance, the sun shining, the wind in your face, the feeling of freedom… This is what is called episodic memory and now science has identified the “time cells” in the brain that make this type of memory possible.

The journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS) points out that time cells are neurons in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex that fire at specific times within a cognitive task or experience.

The hippocampus is critical for remembering the flow of events in separate experiences and, in doing so, bridges temporal gaps between discontinuous events.

"Time cells" encode successive moments during an empty temporal gap between key events, while at the same time encoding location and ongoing behavior, i.e., they would influence the ability to temporally order memories at the time of retrieval or recall.

The study's scientific team identified the "time cells" by studying the brains of 27 patients with severe epilepsy scheduled for surgery.  As part of preparation for surgery, these people had electrodes placed in the hippocampus and other areas involving navigation, memory and time perception.

In the experiment, patients had to memorize sequences of 12-15 words that appeared on a computer screen over a period of 30 seconds.  Then, after a break, they were asked to recall the words they had seen.

According to one of the scientists, “The time cells we found marked discrete segments of time within this span of approximately 30 seconds.”

These time records seemed to help these people remember when they had seen each word, and in what order, he says. And the brain probably uses the same approach when we're reliving an experience, such as balancing on skates.

In another experiment , scientists compared the memories of a group of people who were given a tour of the University of California in San Diego, CA, that included several segments.

All participants remembered most of the things they did, including locking their bikes and drinking water from a fountain.

However, people with hippocampal damage were unable to organize events in the correct sequence.  It appears that sequences are completely and utterly lost in people with hippocampal lesions.

Dr György Buzsáki, Professor of Neuroscience at New York University, USA says that “although timing cells are crucial for creating sequences in memory, they do not work at a regular pace like the second hand of a clock.  Instead, their rhythms speed up and slow down all the time, depending on factors such as mood,” for example.

When you're waiting for test results, each day feels like an eternity, whereas when you're having fun, time flies, says Dr. Buzsáki.

What is episodic memory for?

Episodic memory is a category of long-term memory that involves the recollection of specific events, situations, and experiences.  In addition to the remembered event, it involves the geographic location and the time at which the event occurred, as well as the optimization of memory during sleep.

Episodic memory is closely related to what scientists call autobiographical memory or memories of one's personal life story , one of the pillars of one's own identity, the others being individual physical characteristics and behaviors that determine one's way of acting.  Then, maintaining a memory that goes beyond a recollection and provides details and more information, enriches the way of storing that information, makes it easier for it to be consolidated and remembered vividly.

How is it achieved?

1. Exercise attention

The initial step in forming an episodic memory is called encoding, which is the process of receiving and recording information. Encoding is necessary to create memory representations of the information or events that are experienced.

The encoding process relies on you paying attention to an event or information. That is, if you are not paying attention to an event while it is happening because you are distracted, then you are less likely to remember the details of the event. Attention is a necessary component to effectively encoding events or information.

2. Make connections or mind mapping

The encoding of episodic memory is influenced by how you process the event and can be strengthened by the connections you make.  For example, if you have to buy several things at the store, one way to remember the list is to make connections between the things you are going to buy, instead of repeating the list several times.

Another tactic is to create associations between what you are going to remember and your personal experience.  For example, you are introduced to a person named “Carlos,” to remember his name you make a connection: “Carlos,” your name is the same as my dad.  This will make it easier for you to remember the name.

This is also where time cells are activated since the environment, time and other aspects surrounding the event stimulate a more vivid memory.

3. Association with your information network and repetition

In order for the information that has been received to be reinforced, stabilized and stored in order to facilitate its subsequent retrieval, it must be associated with your personal information network and recalled over the following days to consolidate it.

According to the Weill Institute for Neuroscience, “Neural pathways from the hippocampus to the cortex underlie the process of consolidation and storage. The number of neurons that are dedicated to a particular memory, as well as the frequency with which they fire together, help strengthen memory traces within the cortex.

This consolidation process occurs over the course of days or weeks and is subject to reorganization when new and relevant information is obtained.” ( 1 ) If this process is done well, you can count on long-term memory.

4. The tracks

The retrieval of information within episodic memory depends on the contextual information or cues and how effectively the information has been encoded and stored in memory.

If the information was not properly encoded because you were distracted, the details of the event or information are less likely to be retrieved. This is where time cells reappear, which by taking into account the factors surrounding the event (emotional, visual, auditory, olfactory, prior knowledge) enrich the brain activity of memorizing.

Research indicates that memory recovery may be associated with a feeling of “re-experiencing” or reliving the event.

Build vivid memories

• If you want to recall an event vividly, tell it to a friend.  Not to be rude, but a recent study suggests that reflecting on events immediately after they happen helps us preserve them in our memory - and one of the ways is by going over them with someone.

Researchers from the University of Sussex and University College London, UK,  They discovered that the same region of the brain (posterior cingulate gyrus) that is activated when we first experience a memory is activated again when we "rehearse" the memory later.

The cingulate gyrus  not only helps us remember the details of an event, but also integrates those details into our knowledge, making it less likely to be forgotten.

• Practice in the future.

If you visualize yourself picking up an envelope left on the table as you leave the house, then you are more likely to remember  do it when you leave the house the next morning,” says one of the researchers.

• Stimulate the hippocampus to have good and better memories

When you hear Christmas carols, the smell of cinnamon in the house, the temperature in the kitchen increases, you immediately go back to Christmas, followed by your childhood memories.

Essential oils that help you have memorable memories

The scents of certain events can trigger positive or negative memories.  You can see in detail how this effect occurs in my article on the role of essential oils in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing.

Smell molecules in the lining of the brain cause electrical stimulation of the olfactory bulb, which then carries impulses to the amygdala and other areas of the limbic system. This is one of the ways that timing cells are stimulated and events are fixed in our memory.

Due to their molecular structure, essential oils can instantly stimulate the limbic lobe and hypothalamus, relieve tension and emotional crises, as well as activate some hormones of the hypothalamus.

Some of the “evocative” oils are those rich in monoterpenes, such as grapefruit, orange, lemon and eucalyptus.  Others rich in sesquiterpenes are sandalwood, ginger, patchouli, cedar and ylang ylang.

Smell is supposed to be the sense closest to memory. The other senses have to make a stop at the thalamus, then send signals to other parts of the brain.  before it becomes fixed in memory, but not in smell.  In fact, the sense of smell goes directly to the brain to stimulate those parts related to emotion and memory.

Likewise, when we experience stress or anxiety or fear, we are activating a bodily response to stress and one of the things that happens is that the hormone cortisol (the stress hormone) increases.  This hormone increases olfactory sensitivity.

It seems that olfactory sensitivity is affected by different ambient temperatures. So, in the middle of a hot and humid climate, you receive a lot of olfactory information from the environment and the olfactory system has to slow down because it is receiving too much information.

In the midst of cold or winter weather there is not as much information.  In fact, something called olfactory adaptation happens in our body.  like when you arrive at a kitchen and it smells strongly of onions but the person who has been cooking for a while no longer smells like anything.

The ideal essential oils for memory and concentration

Rosemary

A 2017 study found that rosemary essential oil has a significant effect on photographic memory.  and short-term numerical memory in humans.

Significant differences were found in the productivity of short-term memory of participants in these two groups, while in the uniform groups there were no gender differences. Thus, rosemary essential oil has significantly increased the memory of  images compared to the control. Inhalation of rosemary essential oil also increased memorization of numbers.

Another study with older adults using dried rosemary showed that rosemary improved the speed of recalling memories.

Sage

A 2003 study using Salvia tested young volunteers' ability to remember words after experiencing essential oil aromatherapy. Researchers found that Salvia improved short-term memory.

Mint

Thanks to its modulating, calming and stimulating effect at the same time, mint is one of the best essential oils to support cognitive performance, mood and memory. ( Study )

Lavender

Lavender contains significant amounts of both 1.8 cinnole and camphor. Both of these components also give Spike Lavender a unique medicinal and refreshing character, as well as being floral like traditional Lavender.

Ginger

Initial research with essential oil from ginger and turmeric rhizomes shows that it exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by preventing alterations in the levels of some cytokines or inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-Alpha) and inhibits the activities of hippocampal and prefrontal cortex acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) (important enzymes relevant in the management/prevention of neurodegenerative diseases).

One article describes that unlike the other oils on the list, ginger does not appear to work by inhibiting AChE. Instead, it prevents cell death and improves cell signaling, two effects that could make it a good addition when preparing a homemade blend aimed at improving concentration and memory.

The neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (ACh) - While ACh is still the subject of scientific study, it is clear that this neurotransmitter plays a role in encoding new memories. That means it is also essential for learning. Higher levels of ACh may improve memory.

A similar enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE)—AChE—prevents excessive amounts of ACh from being produced. Although we need ACh, too much of this neurotransmitter is linked to muscle cramps, nausea, blurred vision, and more.

As we age, ACh levels begin to naturally decline. In this case, high levels of AChE may not be necessary to protect the brain and body. Instead, it prevents us from developing sufficient amounts of ACh, meaning our short-term memory is impaired.

In these cases, an AChE inhibitor may be needed to prevent ACh from being depleted to the point of memory loss and other problems.

How to make your own “memorable” mix:

If you already have several oils in your collection, you may be interested in creating your own memory-boosting blend.

This blend I propose is pungent in aroma. It is best diffused during study time or while attending to various tasks to sharpen the mind. You can even use it daily to experience enhanced effects over time.

Homemade blend dissolved in a carrier oil	DoTerra InTune Blend
5 drops Rosemary	Amyris
3 drops of Lavender and/or Bergamot	Patchouli
3 drops of Mint	Incense
2 drops of Ylang Ylang	Hawaiian Sandalwood
2 drops of Sage	Roman chamomile

DoTerra offers the InTune blend whether you are working on a project, giving a presentation, or need clarity and focus in your activities.  InTune's appealing aroma can help you create a crisp atmosphere for your performance. Buy here