Scientists test chemicals to erase memories
Roadside bombs, childhood abuse, car accidentsthey form memories that can shape (and damage)
us for a lifetime. Now, a handful of studies have shown that were on the verge of erasing and even
rewriting memories. The hope is that this research will lead to medical treatments, especially for
addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Researchers have known for decades that memories are unreliable. Theyre particularly adjustable
when actively recalled because at that point theyre pulled out of a stable molecular state. Last spring,
scientists published a study performed at the University of Washington in which adult volunteers completed a
survey about their eating and drinking habits before age 16. A week later, they were given personalized analyses
of their answers that statedfalselythat they had gotten sick from rum or vodka as a teen.
One in five not only didnt notice the lie, but also recalled false memories about it and rated that beverage as
less desirable than they had before. Studies like these point to possible treatments for mental health problems.
Both PTSD and addiction disorders hinge on memories that can trigger problematic behaviors, such as crippling
fear caused by loud noises or cravings brought about by the sight of drug paraphernalia.
Read the full story
Read more at Scientists test chemicals to erase memories
Roadside bombs, childhood abuse, car accidentsthey form memories that can shape (and damage)
us for a lifetime. Now, a handful of studies have shown that were on the verge of erasing and even
rewriting memories. The hope is that this research will lead to medical treatments, especially for
addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Researchers have known for decades that memories are unreliable. Theyre particularly adjustable
when actively recalled because at that point theyre pulled out of a stable molecular state. Last spring,
scientists published a study performed at the University of Washington in which adult volunteers completed a
survey about their eating and drinking habits before age 16. A week later, they were given personalized analyses
of their answers that statedfalselythat they had gotten sick from rum or vodka as a teen.
One in five not only didnt notice the lie, but also recalled false memories about it and rated that beverage as
less desirable than they had before. Studies like these point to possible treatments for mental health problems.
Both PTSD and addiction disorders hinge on memories that can trigger problematic behaviors, such as crippling
fear caused by loud noises or cravings brought about by the sight of drug paraphernalia.
Read the full story
Read more at Scientists test chemicals to erase memories
