Amnesia refers to the loss of the ability to store new information or recall previously stored memories. Memory, which allows us to remember life experiences, is a complex process involving multiple brain regions, and researchers are still uncovering the mechanisms behind how we form and retrieve memories.
It’s important to distinguish between amnesia and normal forgetfulness. Not all memories are permanent, and occasionally forgetting things doesn’t necessarily indicate amnesia. True amnesia involves significant memory loss, where individuals cannot recall important personal experiences, significant events, or newly learned information that would normally be retained.
Amnesia can be a symptom of degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, or result from brain injuries, including traumatic head injuries. There is ongoing debate regarding whether the brain may "block out" particularly traumatic memories as a defense mechanism.