state-dependent memory

Definition

The phenomenon where your brain retrieves memories most effectively when you're in the same mental, emotional, or chemical state you were in when you formed them—basically your neurons are nostalgia gatekeepers that demand you match the original vibe to unlock the files.

Example Usage

I studied for that exam while caffeinated, so I totally bombed it sober; classic state-dependent memory working against me.

Source: Urban Dictionary (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=state-dependent%20memory&defid=13650643)

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