Say goodbye to bad memories: Scientists uncover method to erase flashbacks

Scientists find a new way to wipe out bad memories and traumatic flashbacks
Scientists find a new way to wipe out bad memories and traumatic flashbacks

In breakthrough research, scientists offer hope to people dealing with painful memories and flashbacks.

According to Science Alert, scientists have found a new and promising method to erase negative memories, making the treatment of numerous mental health issues easy.

A study published in the PNAS journal revealed that the traumatic memories of the person could be weakened by reactivating positive ones.

For the experiment, a team of international researchers asked 37 participants to link random words with negative images. After this, they tried to replace the bad memories with new ones for half of the words.

On the first day of the experiment, researchers showed participants negative images with made-up words; the next day, after a night of sleep to consolidate those memories, they linked half the words with positive images.

The researchers wrote, “We found that this procedure weakened the recall of aversive memories and also increased involuntary intrusions of positive memories... Our findings open broad avenues for seeking to weaken aversive or traumatic memories.”

During the second night, researchers played the recordings of the made-up words while the participants were sleeping and monitored their brain activity using electroencephalography.

“A noninvasive sleep intervention can thus modify aversive recollection and affective responses. Overall, our findings may offer new insights relevant to the treatment of pathological or trauma-related remembering," researchers further added.

Later in follow-up questionnaires the next day and several days after, the researchers found that participants were troubled remembering the negative memories associated with the words because they had been replaced with the positive ones.

Researchers noted that positive memories came to mind more easily than negative words and are viewed with a more positive emotional bias.

Related
Read more : Health

Boost your brain with this everyday kitchen ingredient, says study

Boost your brain with this everyday kitchen ingredient, says study
Approximately 55 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia, a general term for loss of memory and other thinking abilities

US cuts to HIV aid may lead to 4 million deaths by 2029, UN warns

US cuts to HIV aid may lead to 4 million deaths by 2029, UN warns
Experts cautioned that the US is 'abandoning the fight' just as ending AIDS is within reach

Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers recalled nationwide over labeling error

Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers recalled nationwide over labeling error
Check out the list of the recalled Ritz cracker sandwich cartons

About 1 in 3 US Teens are prediabetic, CDC data suggests

About 1 in 3 US Teens are prediabetic, CDC data suggests
Experts warn of a significant spike in early-onset Type 2 diabetes that the healthcare system may not be prepared for

Lead exposure may significantly affect kids' memory, study

Lead exposure may significantly affect kids' memory, study
Lead exposure in women or during early childhood is likely to increase kids' risk of cognitive decline

'Old' brains significantly increase mortality risk, Alzheimer's, study

'Old' brains significantly increase mortality risk, Alzheimer's, study
Results indicated that 6–7% of individuals had “extremely youthful” or “extremely aged” brains

Researchers find how processed meat increases risk of chronic diseases

Researchers find how processed meat increases risk of chronic diseases
Results indicated that people who had one hot dog a day had an 11% increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Air pollution associated with common brain tumors, study

Air pollution associated with common brain tumors, study
Meningiomas are tumours that develop in the layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord