Being in a Good Mood Could Make You Forgetful

Being in a good mood could make you more charming to be around, but it doesn't do much for your memory. According to new research from the University of Missouri, people are more likely to be forgetful if they're in a good mood - and less likely to forget when they're "down in the dumps".

Mood and Memory: Is There a Link Between the Two?

Researchers at the University of Missouri showed a group of volunteers video clips. Some of these clips contained stand-up comedy, while other volunteers watched an instructional video. Not surprisingly, the volunteers who watched the comedy video were in a better mood after the video clip, while the other video viewers experienced no mood change.

Both sets of volunteers then took a memory test to see how well they could remember sequences of numbers they listened to through headphones. The volunteers who were in a good mood after viewing the comedy video did more poorly on this task compared to those who watched the instructional video that didn't make them laugh and lift their mood.

So, how does being in a good mood make it harder to remember things like number sequences? Researchers don't have the answers, but they speculate that being in an upbeat mood reduces the amount of storage space in the brain available for short-term memories. That's not good news if you're overjoyed to see someone you haven't seen in years, and you can't remember the email address they gave you when you get home.

Another Reason Why Being in a Good Mood Reduces Memory

It may be that being in a good mood makes a person more distracted and reduces their focus so they don't process the information they hear sufficiently to remember it later. It could also be that being in a good mood alters the levels of brain neurotransmitters that are involved both in mood and processing memories.

On other hand, the news may not be all bad. Being in a good mood improves cognitive skills in some areas. Some studies also show that meditation improves thinking skills, possibly by clearing the mind and reducing stress.

Good Moods and Forgetfulness: The Bottom Line?

Being in a good mood may lead to forgetfulness. Take along a pen and pad and write things down on those days you're feeling on top of the world - just to be safe.

References:

Eurekalert.org. "Being in a Good Mood May Lead to Poor Memory"

Science Daily. "Brief Meditative Exercise Improves Memory"