About Douglas J. and This Site

I'm Douglas, and I've spent nearly two decades researching how memory works and how to make it work better. This site is where I share what I've learned.

This site covers practical memory techniques backed by research, the science of how memory works, and lifestyle factors that support brain health. You'll also find hundreds of free online brain games and printable puzzles. But first, let me tell you a bit about my background, so you know where this information is coming from.

My approach is simple: I read the actual research, not just press releases or headlines. When I recommend a technique, it's because the evidence supports it. When a popular claim doesn't hold up, I'll tell you that too.

For the details on how I evaluate sources and verify information, see my editorial standards page.

My Background

My path to writing about memory has been unconventional, but each step gave me tools I use every day on this site.

Medical and scientific training. I completed three years at LSU School of Dentistry, including the foundational medical sciences that dental and medical students share: gross anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and microbiology. Before that, I worked as a periodontal surgery assistant during college. Later, I spent two years as a medical and dental X-ray inspector for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. While I left the medical/dental path years ago, that training taught me how to read and evaluate medical research. It's a skill I've never stopped using.

Mathematics and statistics. I hold a B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in statistics from Tulane University (1990). This background helps me look past headlines to evaluate what studies actually show: Was the sample size adequate? Is the effect size meaningful, or just statistically significant? Are the conclusions justified by the data?

Technical writing. I spent ten years as a technical writer and editor in the software industry. That experience trained me to take complex, technical information and make it clear and useful for non-specialists. It's exactly what I try to do with memory research on this site.

AI model training. My current professional work involves training artificial intelligence models. This has deepened my appreciation for how remarkable biological memory really is. The human brain remains far more sophisticated than any system we've built, and understanding how AI "learns" has given me new perspectives on how we do. (See the editorial standards page for my rules for using AI on this site.)

How I Got Interested in Memory

My first real encounter with memory techniques came during my technical writing career. The company's education department held a class on learning, and the instructor introduced us to the memory palace. As an exercise, I used my apartment layout to memorize the Bill of Rights. It worked so well that I still remember the experience vividly.

That led me to Harry Lorayne's The Memory Book, which opened my eyes to what trained memory could really do. I also discovered something about myself: I have a relatively strong visual memory. The vivid imagery at the heart of most memory techniques plays to that strength.

Around the same time, I read about the famous case of H.M., the patient who lost his ability to form new memories after brain surgery. That case, one of the most important in neuroscience history, pulled me toward understanding the brain mechanisms behind memory. The techniques fascinated me, but so did the science.

There's also a personal dimension. My paternal grandmother died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in her 40s, before I really knew her, but I heard stories of how the disease ravaged her mental state and body. My great-grandmother had Alzheimer's, and I remember her living with us when I was young. Neurological health isn't an abstract topic for me.

What This Site Offers

Memory-Improvement-Tips.com covers three main areas:

Practical memory techniques. Methods like the memory palace, peg system, and link method that have been used for centuries because they work. I explain how to use them and why they're effective.

The science of memory. What happens in your brain when you form a memory? Why do we forget? What does research say about improving memory as we age? I translate the research into language you can actually use.

Brain-healthy lifestyle. Sleep, exercise, nutrition, stress, social connection: the factors that affect how well your brain functions. I focus on what the evidence actually supports, not hype or wishful thinking.

You'll also find hundreds of free brain games and puzzles as a way to keep your mind active and engaged.

Where to Start

If you're new here, I recommend starting with How to Get a Better Memory. It's an overview of the many ways you can strengthen your memory, from techniques you can learn in minutes to lifestyle factors that support long-term brain health.

For quick wins you can use today, try Quick Memory Tips.

To understand the terminology, see the Memory Glossary.

Stay in Touch

You can also reach me through the Contact page with questions, corrections, or feedback. I read everything and appreciate hearing from readers.

Thanks for visiting,

Douglas J.
Memory-Improvement-Tips.com

Important: The information on this site is educational, not medical advice. If you have concerns about memory loss or cognitive health, please consult a healthcare professional. See my full Medical Disclaimer.

Published: 2006
Last Updated: 12/23/2025