This is what happens in your brain when you can’t recall a word

Dig into what causes the tip of the tongue phenomenon, where your brain struggles to recall a word or term from memory.

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You’re sure you know your 3rd grade teacher’s name— it’s like you’re hovering over it in your mind, but it just won’t materialize. Researchers call this tantalizing torment a “tip-of-the-tongue state,” and it’s something everyone experiences. But what’s actually happening when a word’s caught here, and how can you best get it unstuck? Cella Wright explores why your brain c