{"id":6541,"date":"2023-08-15T08:10:27","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T01:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6541"},"modified":"2023-08-15T08:10:27","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T01:10:27","slug":"tip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon-what-it-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=6541","title":{"rendered":"Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon: What It Means"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">S<\/span>ometimes when I\u2019m having a conversation, I\u2019ll get to a particular word that I just can\u2019t seem to remember. Maybe I\u2019m telling someone about an incredible meal I had on vacation and can\u2019t recall what a certain dish is called, or I\u2019m trying to remember the name of a celebrity. I know the <em>word<\/em>, but it just won&#8217;t come to mind. I might be able to think of the first letter or picture it in my head, but I\u2019ll still be wringing my hands in frustration. And the harder I push myself to remember, the more the word escapes me.<\/p>\n<p>Neuroscientists refer to this experience as the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. It happens \u201cwhen you know you have a specific piece of information stored in your memory, but you can\u2019t quite recall it at the moment,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dccc.edu\/about\/faculty-staff\/meet-our-faculty\/hayley-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.dccc.edu\/about\/faculty-staff\/meet-our-faculty\/hayley-nelson\">Hayley Nelson, PhD,<\/a> psychology professor and founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/academyofneuro.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/academyofneuro.com\/\">The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience<\/a>. The word is just beyond reach\u2014it\u2019s \u201con the tip of your tongue,\u201d as the phrase goes.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>Why does this happen?<\/h2>\n<p>Some previous research suggests that this memory lapse occurs because of a \u201cdisconnection\u201d between parts of the brain that are responsible for storing and retrieving memories, Dr. Nelson says. Deep inside the brain is a structure called the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK482171\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK482171\/\">hippocampus, which sends messages<\/a> to different regions that control everything from speech and movement to emotions and learning. The hippocampus plays a role in storing and retrieving memories along with the neocortex, which is the outer part of the brain that has those grooves and ridges.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen you experience the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon, it&#8217;s usually because the retrieval process becomes momentarily blocked, possibly due to a weakened connection between these regions which impedes the smooth flow of information,\u201d Dr. Nelson explains.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon\/\" current-title=\"Here\u2019s What\u2019s Actually Happening When You Have Trouble Remembering a Familiar Word\u2014And What It Means About Your Brain Health\" current-image=\"GettyImages-tip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-02-14\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/tip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Other studies suggest that the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon simply has to do with the way our brains are wired. \u201cWe store in our brain our knowledge of words or phonological information (i.e., how to pronounce a word) separately from our understanding about what something means (i.e., semantic information),\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/psych.ubc.ca\/profile\/todd-handy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/psych.ubc.ca\/profile\/todd-handy\/\">Todd Handy, PhD,<\/a> a cognitive neuroscientist and professor of psychology at The University of British Columbia.<\/p>\n<p>Because words and their meaning are stored in different areas, you might forget a word but recall its definition. For example, you might be talking about how people have a fear of spiders but temporarily forget the name of this phobia. Likewise, you might be able to picture someone and remember details of how you first met without remembering their name.<\/p>\n<h2>Is this something to worry about?<\/h2>\n<p>It can be frustrating when you can\u2019t think of a word, but the tip-of-the-tongue is actually \u201ca very normal human phenomenon,\u201d Dr. Handy says.\u00a0Dr. Nelson adds that \u201cfor most people in their 20s and 30s, occasional tip-of-the-tongue moments are completely normal and not something to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Although these episodes are more common in older adults, they don&#8217;t necessarily mean that someone is experiencing cognitive decline. However, one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7500633\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7500633\/\">2020 study on the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon<\/a> among older adults found those with memory complaints showed normal results on an objective memory test but experienced more frequent tip-of-the-tongue episodes during a celebrity-naming task compared to adults without memory issues. It\u2019s possible\u2014though by no means a sure thing\u2014that having these episodes often <em>could<\/em> be an early sign of cognitive impairment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you notice a significant increase in memory lapses or other cognitive difficulties, it\u2019s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough assessment,\u201d says Dr. Nelson. Dr. Handy adds that these episode would only be a red flag if they were part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/brain-health-indicators-neuriva\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/brain-health-indicators-neuriva\/\">broader pattern<\/a> of things that don\u2019t feel right. If you\u2019re worried about memory loss, it\u2019s a good idea to speak to your primary care physician.<\/p>\n<h2>Are there situations where tip-of-the-tongue moments are more common?<\/h2>\n<p>Some weeks it might feel like you\u2019re constantly pausing while talking, trying to recall a word. \u201cFactors like fatigue, stress, and not getting enough sleep can contribute to the occurrence of this phenomenon,\u201d Dr. Nelson says. When <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32179655\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32179655\/\">people are sleep-deprived<\/a>, for example, they\u2019re more likely to experience memory difficulties, leading to more tip-of-the-tongue moments, she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Another situation where memory issues tend to manifest themselves is when you\u2019re put on the spot to remember something, Dr. Handy explains. \u201cIf you\u2019re trying to impress people or you\u2019re nervous because you\u2019re at a job interview or you\u2019re chatting with someone whose opinion really matters to you, personally or professionally, you might be more inclined to have those challenges,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe you forget your partner\u2019s hometown while meeting their family or can\u2019t remember your company\u2019s insurance provider while talking to your boss. This is because stress and anxiety tend to interfere with thinking and reasoning. You\u2019re more likely to stumble on a word or forget something if you feel like someone is judging or evaluating you.<\/p>\n<h2>What can you do to improve your recall?<\/h2>\n<p>Because the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon is usually temporary, there can be a cognitive gain to try and push yourself to remember a word instead of giving up on it, Dr. Handy says. \u201cIt\u2019s sort of like pushing through a hard workout. The more you use your brain, the better off it&#8217;s going to be,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re desperate for a hint, asking a friend or looking up related information online might help you recall the word. \u201cBy searching for related cues, you can activate the neural pathways associated with that particular memory, making it more likely to come to mind later,\u201d Dr. Nelson says. Even so, she says it\u2019s worth trying to remember things on your own rather than relying too much on Google.<\/p>\n<p>Both experts agree that the best way to boost your memory is by getting enough sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a nutritious diet. A\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D104860X1561639%26xs%3D1%26xcust%3DSTMSFT-819101%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nature.com%252Farticles%252Fs43856-022-00079-7&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Ftip-of-the-tongue-phenomenon%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s43856-022-00079-7\">2022 review in <em>Communications Medicine<\/em><\/a> found that regular aerobic exercise improves memory and cognitive function in older adults without memory issues. \u201cThe more you work out, the more you might be incentivized to eat well and the more it\u2019ll help your sleep, and so they\u2019re all interrelated,\u201d Dr. Handy explains. Also related (and crucial to having good memory): reducing stress.<\/p>\n<p>To keep our recall sharp as we get older, we need to keep using our brains. \u201cA lot of cognitive decline in older age is exacerbated by becoming less cognitively engaged with the world,\u201d Dr. Handy says. Maintaining good <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/social-connection-longevity\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/social-connection-longevity\/\">social relationships<\/a> and doing activities like puzzles and games provide mental stimulation and help keep your memory sharp. Wordle, anyone?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes when I\u2019m having a conversation, I\u2019ll get to a particular word that I just can\u2019t seem to remember. Maybe I\u2019m telling someone about an incredible meal I had on vacation and can\u2019t recall what a certain dish is called, or I\u2019m trying to remember the name of a celebrity. I know the word, but &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6541","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6541"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6541\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6541"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6541"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}