What are memories accessed by?

Memories are primarily accessed by neural pathways, which are networks of neurons that communicate with each other in the brain. When a memory is formed, specific neural pathways are created or strengthened, making it easier to retrieve that memory later. The process of remembering involves reactivating these pathways, which allows the brain to access stored information.

The strength and efficiency of these neural connections can be influenced by various factors, including the frequency of retrieval and the emotional significance of the memory. While emotional triggers and conscious thought can aid in memory retrieval, they do so by activating the underlying neural pathways associated with particular memories. Visual cues can also serve as prompts or aids in accessing memories, but they rely on the existence of these neural pathways to retrieve the actual stored information.

In summary, the ability to access memories fundamentally depends on the neural pathways that have been established in the brain, highlighting the biological basis of memory storage and retrieval.