Scientists have discovered a drug that could potential erase bad memories. Researchers say that the method, which uses existing blood pressure pills, could be useful for weakening or erasing bad memories in people with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Studies in animal models have shown that bad memories sometimes change when recalled, a process known as reconsolidation. This reconsolidation stage is vulnerable to the blood pressure drugs, called beta-adrenergic receptor blockers.
In the new study on humans, 60 subjects were taught to associate pictures of spiders with a mild shock, creating a fearful memory. Later, they were given either a beta-blocker called propranolol or a placebo. The group given propranolol had a greatly decreased fear response to the spider pictures 24 hours later, and the fear response did not return, suggesting that the fear memory was completely erased.
Some ethicists see problems with the treatment, and question whether it could begin to alter what it means to be human.
There are also natural ways to rid yourself of bad memories -- a 2007 study involving brain scans found that test subjects had the ability to suppress specific memories at a particular moment in time through repeated practice.