Trying to forget something that happened to you in the past but still hurts? Experts at the Medical College of Georgia, US, can now erase unpleasant memories from the brain areas responsible for memory without compromising their functions. This kind of experiment, however, has been conducted only on lab mice so far. In the course of trials, the scientists implemented new treatment using a special type of protein.
The research team was able to find the molecular structure that allows erasing remembered experiences associated with psychic traumas or recurring mental discomfort without impeding brain functions.
The head of study, professor Joe Tsien, claims new treatment could work for human beings, too. He is sure that it might be even possible to create a “bad memories extinction” drugs.
This kind of drugs could be used in a variety of cases, from treating childhood psychic traumas to eliminating memories of a failed love-affair. I wonder if we could recall erased events later.