Information that remains in the brain for more than a few minutes is encoded into the brain by being transferred to long term memory. Long term memory allows information to be retrieved even after it has been stored in the brain and out of human consciousness for a long period of time. (Benjamin, Hopkins, & Nation, 1994. p.253)

It has been said that long term memory is what "defines reality for each of us." (Benjamin, Hopkins, & Nation, 1994. p.260) Its capacity is unlimited. Information in long term memory could have been learned, or encoded, five minutes ago or five decades ago. Some scientists believe that such information is stored permanently whereas others argue that with time memory pathways will physically deteriorate over time.

Information in long term memory can be classified according to what is being remembered. Tulving's Model categorizes memory into the following three types:

1. Episodic Memory (events)
2. Semantic Memory (facts)
3. Procedural Memory (motion)

If you know that you are remembering something, then you are using what is called explicit memory. Otherwise, your brain is using implicit memory.