The wonders behind what exactly causes certain dreams, recollections of memories, or decision-making processes are determined in the unconscious state of the brain. The mere prospect of being able to increase memory retention can ignite a fantasy of improved productivity and future success.
Researchers have discovered that the information we learn while conscious is actually refined in our sleep, and they found that the unconsciousness state is a crucial aspect of consolidating memories (1). These recent findings suggest the possibility that this improved memory fantasy will become a reality. While there are several variations of unconsciousness we may face, one that humans may experience is sleep. People have hypothesized about the brain’s ability to learn while sleeping for decades. However, it is only now that scientists are finally discovering the numerous capabilities of our resting brain. Neurons rapidly fire signals as neuronal networks replay and reorganize memories as we are asleep. This functions as a mechanism to reinforce significant information and memories in our brains to store as long-term memories (2).
To fathom the idea of our long-term memories remaining intact and active in the subliminal state, it is imperative to first think back to the root of where memories are created. The hippocampus, a region of the brain primarily responsible for learning and memory, plays a significant role in redistributing memories into the long-term memory storage, the neocortex. The hippocampus and the neocortex work together to consolidate long-term memories through a series of chain reactions of memory consolidation during sleep (3). When a memory is created, the experience is first relayed to the hippocampus for temporary storage of these memories. Located in the declarative memory system, the hippocampus only temporarily stores memories. Research on patients with hippocampal damage supports this point due to the findings that these patients had trouble with short-term memory while their long-term memories were still intact (4). This was first discovered in 1952, when a patient’s hippocampus was removed to prevent seizures. This was a breaking point in learning the extent of the hippocampus’ role in long-term memory storage. The researchers documented that this patient’s ability to form new memories of recent events to be severely impaired, while their recollection of old memories and ability to perform physical tasks remained intact. This further supports that even while the brain is in an unconscious state, whether due to brain injuries or sleep, it is still capable of storing long-term memories.
Beyond the brain’s fascinating ability to retain long-term memories while unconscious, subliminal messages, signals inaudible to the conscious mind, that are transpired in the brain can influence behavior and decision-making in the conscious mind. There is now evidence regarding how these messages can unconsciously influence decisions through reinforcing certain names, such as brand names, or goal-relevant words (5). In these experiments, participants were first asked a series of questions to answer for the researchers to use as a constant. The participants were then subliminally introduced to certain names, such as a brand or feeling, like hunger. The scientists later asked the participants another series of questions, similar to the original set of questions, to determine whether the subliminal messages affected their decision-making skills. The scientists performing this experiment found that subliminal messaging did affect the participant’s decisions and choices when they returned to a conscious state of mind. There were many similar experiments also suggesting that subliminal messages, derived from the unconscious state, affect conscious actions through long-term decision-making effects.
While research in the realm of subliminal messages in the human brain has advanced and everyday we are learning more and more about the power of the unconscious, there remain many unanswered questions that await discovery (6). From gaining a better understanding of exactly what else our brain is capable of in the unconscious state of mind to using these new discoveries of the unconscious mind to develop treatments for neurological deficiencies.
There are still unanswered questions about the specific mechanisms underlying subliminal messaging. However, what we can expect to see in the near future are further experiments that can systematically contrast the varying phases of unconsciousness with that of awakeness. We can hope to begin to better understand the depth of capabilities that the unconscious healthy human brain can perform to ultimately develop technologies to treat neurological disorders as well as improve brain function.
References:
- Sandoiu, A. (2018, March 8). Can you learn in your sleep? Yes, and here's how. Retrieved July 02, 2020, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321161
- Fan, S. (2019, February 12). New Study Suggests You Can Learn While You Sleep. Retrieved July 02, 2020, from https://singularityhub.com/2019/02/12/new-study-suggests-you-can-learn-while-you-sleep/
- Born, J., & Wilhelm, I. (2012, March). System consolidation of memory during sleep. Retrieved July 02, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3278619/
- Makin, S. (2017, April 12). Where Does the Brain Store Long-Ago Memories? Retrieved July 02, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/where-does-the-brain-store-long-ago-memories/
- Ruch, S., Züst, M., & Henke, K. (2016, August 20). Subliminal messages exert long-term effects on decision-making. Retrieved July 02, 2020, from https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2016/1/niw013/2757133?searchresult=1
- Mutz, J., & Javadi, A. (2017, May 31). Exploring the neural correlates of dream phenomenology and altered states of consciousness during sleep. Retrieved July 02, 2020, from https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/2017/1/nix009/3859602