I've Always Had a Lousy Memory. Is It Possible to Improve It?
15 Dec 2025 · 7 min
Jonathan Levy, a memory expert, says yes: research from Radboud University shows measurable improvements in about four weeks with visual memory systems and consistent practice. He breaks down specific techniques that rewire how your brain stores and retrieves information.
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Is it really possible to improve it? This is JJ Virgin, four time New York Times bestselling author, celebrity nutrition expert, and Fitness hall of Famer. I've been on a lifelong quest for answers to the toughest health questions, and now I'm sharing what I found with you. Welcome to Ask the Health Expert. Brandon from Instagram asks, I've always had a lousy memory. Is it really possible to improve it? Hey, it's JJ And I've asked author, podcast host and keynote speaker Jonathan Levy, who is an expert in accelerated learning and memory, to answer this question. Stay tuned for the answer.
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So what we find first off, the answer is absolutely yes. What we find in the study when we look at some of the world's top memory experts, people who set world records and win world competitions in memory, is that none of them have a gifted or exceptional memory out of the box, so to speak. It turns out that the difference between your average everyday person who we all forget names, we all forget where our keys are, and someone who's able to memorize, say, 187 names in 15 minutes is just training and learning specific techniques that have been known to for thousands of years. Things like creating visual memory systems and visual ways to connect your memories together. So yes, you absolutely can improve your memory and all it takes is a little bit of practice. In fact, one study at Radboud University showed that people were able, after just four weeks of training, about 20 minutes a day, were able to triple their memory, and six months later the actual changes that happened to their brain were permanent.
This is JJ with Ask the Health Expert. I do this five times a week, so make sure you never miss a show by going to subscribetojay.com.
Hello listeners, this is Anne Bogle, author, blogger and creator of the podcast what Should I Read next? Since 2016, I've been helping readers bring more joy and delight into their reading lives. Every week, I take all things books and reading with a guest and guide them in discovering their next read. They share three books they love, one book they don't, and what they've been reading lately, and I recommend three titles they may enjoy reading next. Guests have said our conversations are like therapy, troubleshooting issues that have plagued their reading lives for years, and possibly the rest of their lives as well. And of course, recommending books that meet the moment. Whether they are looking for deep introspection to spur or encourage a life change, or a frothy page turner to help them escape the stresses of work, school, everything. You'll learn something about yourself as a reader and you'll definitely walk away confident to choose your next read, with a whole list of new books and authors to try. So so join us each Tuesday for what Should I Read Next? Subscribe now wherever you're listening to this podcast and Visit our website whatshould I read next podcast.com to find out more.
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