May science fiction develop into actuality?
In 2004’s “Everlasting Sunshine of the Spotless Thoughts,” Jim Carrey’s character undergoes a memory-erasing process to neglect his ex.
However whereas the process appeared farfetched on the time, expertise has gotten us nearer to the opportunity of wiping painful reminiscences from our minds — or on the very least, making them much less painful.
Based on Dr. Jonathan Rasouli, a neurosurgeon at Northwell Staten Island College Hospital, there are three cutting-edge strategies that may “mute” and “dampen” traumatic reminiscences, they usually’re getting used to assist individuals with melancholy and PTSD.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
“TMS is like wi-fi jumper cables on your mind — however much more exact,” Rasouli advised The Submit.
“It’s a non-invasive remedy that makes use of magnetic fields (like MRI) to stimulate particular components of the mind, often concentrating on areas concerned in temper regulation.”
Sufferers have a magnetic coil place on their scalp, which sends pulses to particular areas of the mind.
“It’s primarily used for treatment-resistant melancholy, however researchers are actually exploring its affect on reminiscence recall, emotional processing, and habit,” Rasouli added.
Based on the doc, the idea — nonetheless in early phases of testing — is that concentrating on sure mind circuits can change how individuals entry their reminiscences.
He mentioned that sooner or later, it may assist individuals reshape reminiscence associations — “however in all probability restricted to scientific settings somewhat than do-it-yourself reminiscence deletion kits.”
Deep Mind Stimulation (DBS)
DBS is a “mind pacemaker” which is presently used to deal with Parkinson’s illness, dystonia, epilepsy, OCD and main melancholy.
Small electrodes are implanted immediately into particular areas of the mind, the place they ship electrical impulses to the buildings which can be concerned in motion and temper.
“Some research present DBS can affect emotional reminiscence, reward processing, and even cut back traumatic recall — however once more, it’s very early days,” mentioned the doc.
Sooner or later, it may theoretically be used to “mute” traumatic reminiscences, “nevertheless it’s invasive and unlikely to develop into an informal outpatient process anytime quickly,” he added.
Propranolol Remedy
Popranolol is a beta-blocker medicine that’s often prescribed to deal with hypertension — however researchers have additionally discovered that it could possibly “dampen the emotional ‘punch’ of reminiscences” and be used for therapeutic functions.
“That is in all probability the closest real-world analog to the Everlasting Sunshine idea — however no precise reminiscence deletion,” mentioned Rasouli.
As a substitute of creating you neglect the reminiscence totally, this “sleeper hit” makes it really feel much less vivid or miserable.
“When taken earlier than recalling a traumatic occasion, propranolol reduces the depth of the emotional response, primarily ‘reconsolidating’ the reminiscence with much less emotional weight,” the doc defined.
“It has been used for experimental remedies of PTSD, nervousness, and phobias.”
