How does your brain store long-term versus short-term memories?

Short-term memory relies on temporary electrical and chemical activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, holding limited information for seconds to minutes. It's fragile and easily disrupted. Long-term memory involves physical changes to synapses through a process called synaptic consolidation. When memories are repeated or emotionally significant, neurons strengthen their connections by growing more receptors and releasing more neurotransmitters, a phenomenon called long-term potentiation. The hippocampus initially encodes these memories, then gradually transfers them to the cortex for permanent storage during sleep, when the brain replays experiences. This is why sleep deprivation impairs memory formation. Different types of long-term memories also use different regions, with the cerebellum handling motor skills and the amygdala reinforcing emotionally charged memories.