Now im sure I know the answer to this one...

And why do you remember it when you stop trying to remember it ? I read an interesting theory re this, imagine your brain has 5 plugs amp; 10 sockets , as you start to think about the answer your brain tries its plugs in 5 of the sockets, sometimes it finds the answer but if it doesn#39;t then all it#39;s connections are quot;lockedquot; amp; you#39;re blocked,so,iniana you stop thinking about the problem, this breaks the connections enabling your brain to try the other sockets one of which contains the answer. It works for me !

Perhaps it is because one remembers only partial details that make up the answer. Or details that points one to the answer. That it is a six-letter word or that it begins with the letter "L" or that one read about it on page 417 of the history book during review this morning. In any case, one is sure that the answer was encountered before. The pathways in the brain that lead to the answer are already formed, it is just that one is temporarily unable to retrace the pathways because these are not as strong as other memories or not enough pathways lead to it.

I know the answer. However at this particular moment i cannot remember it. I need to disconnect the plugs and connect it again. Once it is done and if successful, i shall give you an answer!

I#39;m not a neurologist but I#39;ve been reading a lot about how the brain works recently. Maybe some of these points can help guide you to a more cohesive answer, it makes sense to me, but i can#39;t vouch for it. I recommend the TTC course on Brains, mind amp; consciousness, as they discuss a lot of these kinds of questions you#39;ve brought up...- Synapses, the connections between neurons, are described as either on or off. But they are more accurately viewed as gates: there is a certain threshold level that must be reached before the switch and switch. So, conceivably, the memory may be stored among a certain group or circuit of neurons, but you are having trouble closing the circuit to properly recall the capital of Portugal.- The electrical circuit analogy is muddied by the fact that its a chemical soup in there. So when you consider the entire field of epigenetics, there has to be the right proteins and neurotransmitters and such substances in the right amounts reacting in the right ways at the right places to build up to that on/off threshold to make a difference - that eureka moment when you recall.- Recent research has been lending weight to the idea that older memories may literally quot;deeperquot; in your brain, in terms of the neuronal networks, in older cells. There may have been damage to some synapses involved in the memory, or the connections may just be really weak and thin, literally, chemically, physically.- Relatedly, recent memories are thus physically easier to access. And also motivation has a role, like when you#39;re just been told the answer you couldn#39;t recall you have a motivation to retain that memory, so the release of reward neurotransmitters helps to maintain a more conducive soup around the relevant synapses to make it easier to cross the threshold of firing.I think Science is getting closer and closer to definite answers for alot of questions like these!