Memory formation is the process by which our brains encode, store, and retrieve information. It begins with sensory input, where our senses capture experiences. This information is then processed in the hippocampus, a crucial area for forming new memories, and is eventually stored in different regions of the brain for later recall. There are three main stages of memory formation: encoding, where information is transformed into a format the brain can understand; storage, where this information is maintained over time; and retrieval, where we access and use the stored information when needed.