In February, Vishvaa Rajakumar, a 20-year-old college student from India, emerged victorious in the Memory League World Championship. This online contest challenges participants with tasks such as memorizing the sequence of 80 random digits faster than most can tie their shoelaces.

The late Eleanor Maguire, a distinguished neuroscientist who passed away in January, conducted research on mental competitors like Rajakumar. Her studies revealed that many employed the ancient Roman technique known as the “method of loci,” commonly referred to as the “memory palace.”

This method can take various forms, but fundamentally involves visualizing a spacious house and linking memories to its different rooms. As you mentally navigate through this house, it activates the hippocampus, the seahorse-shaped area in the brain crucial for memory, which was a significant focus of Dr. Maguire’s research.

We inquired about Rajakumar’s memorization techniques. Below is a condensed version of his responses, edited for clarity.

Q. What is your preparation strategy for the Memory League World Championship?

Staying hydrated is crucial as it positively impacts brain function. When memorizing, we often sub-vocalize, so having a clear throat is beneficial. For instance, when reading a book, even if you’re not speaking out loud, you’re still mentally vocalizing. Insufficient water intake can slow your reading speed, while adequate hydration leads to improved clarity and faster comprehension.