Memory is a strange thing.
The more we learn the more we seem to forget, quite literally, and in so doing we help ourselves learn even more.
A strange proposal then would be whether it possible to forget the baggage we don’t like, keep those we do, and maybe throw in some fun stuff that never happened. It all sounds crazy, but this world is a crazy place.
To start with how, let’s look at how memories are formed. In the brain, chemicals and proteins are released that help neurons pass electric potentials between themselves, and this helps the neurons make new ion channels with each other. It’s like making phone lines of memory between brain cells. The creation of these circuits is called Consolidation and until recently was thought to be concrete.
That “recently” happened when a young graduate named Karim Nader discovered that when memories are remembered or “Reconsolidated” they can be wiped out if the chemicals aren’t there to make the connection.
It turns out that when you remember something, a few things happen. Similar memories that would compete with that memory can be mixed in or weakened/eliminated by the prefrontal cortex and the memory itself is literally rebuilt.
"Seems Like a Good Idea" Image:Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Because of this, every time you remember something it gets a little altered in the process, and if the chemicals are blocked, the reconsolidating memory becomes wiped.
“This is crazy and awesome, but too crazy for me, can I make bad, painful memories better without this?” Yes you can. Because memories are associated with different emotions or perceptions, they’re located in different places. Negative ones are found in the amygdala, though they can be removed and relocated elsewhere. How? Think about the memory in a happier setting when you’re immune to feeling blue, it will remain in your mind but won’t have the same emotionally negative effects. This is why ecstasy is one of the most effective PTSD treatments ever.
"Pacman, eating pills to invoke trippy colours and devour your ghosts" Image:Pacman
“How can I make this more fun?” PLAY TETRIS. Playing Tetris within 4-6 hours of trauma significantly reduces the associated trauma with a painful memory. Yes folks, drugs and videogames are the answer, Pacman had it right.
“This is cool, can I be programmed with happy thoughts?” Yes you can. It turns out we’re really good at remembering things that never happened. Dr. Elizabeth Loftus has demonstrated that 1/3 of subjects can be tricked into thinking false memories are their own, even with only one exposure to it. This is why people can be convinced they met Bugs bunny at Disneyland.
“Nice, can I have this memory wipe as a pill please?” Not yet, but a scientist named Dr.Sacktor has found the primary and defining chemical involved in (re)consolidation. It’s called PKMzeta, a form of protein Kinase C. It’s needed to maintain memories, and inhibiting it while remembering something leads to a swift and selective wipe of that something.
“Do you think I can get a prescription?” You may in the future if you have chronic neuropathic pain. It likely will have the same effect on the spine as the brain, and it might even help people with addictions.
All in all this is fabulous news. Though it can be a lot to take in, whether it makes you fear an Orwellian mind control police or you’re just excited to become a mind-tweaking psychonaut, it likely won’t matter as you’ll probably forget you thought about it anyway.
"A Sea of Potential" Image from: http://thetechnologicalcitizen.com/?p=2471
