Memory requires millions of neurons to operate in perfect harmony. As we age, we experience memory glitches in which spontaneous memory loss occurs, such as when you can't recall something that is at the tip of your tongue, a senior moment, yokes! Aging causes neuron loss, which can affect your memory of recent events. You might forget where you left your keys, or the name of a person you just met. More serious, nonaging related memory loss might manifest as forgetting how to do things that you've done many times before or being unable to learn new things. Progressive memory loss is a serious condition. Causes of memory loss include depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative brain disorders, side effects from certain drugs, stroke, trauma, and alcoholism.

In Chinese medicine, memory depends heavily on the kidney-­adrenal network and the spleen-pancreas-stomach network. The kidney network stores your life essence and the spleen network supplies energy for daily living through healthy digestive processes, producing vital nutrients and distributing energy to the brain and other organs. As we age, our kidney essence is depleted. Combine aging with a weakened digestive system, and the brain receives less and less of its essential nutrients. Lack of physical and mental exercise also prevents nourishment from reaching the brain.