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Is it possible to erase traumatic memories?
And if so, is it a good idea?
Memories are not created and then perfectly kept together as neuroscientists originally thought; they are created and then built again every single time they are accessed. Neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux states in "The Forgetting Pill" in Wired magazine, “The brain isn’t interested in having a perfect set of memories about the past, instead, memory comes with a natural updating mechanism, which is how we make sure that the information taking up valuable space inside our head is still useful. That might make our memories less accurate, but it probably also makes them more relevant to the future.”
Propranolol, chondroitinase ABC, and D-cycloserine are certain drugs that have been found to possibly aid in treating disorders in people who face persisting memories as part of an emotional disorder, such as PTSD. Extinction and reconsolidation are two methods that have been used in accordance to the drugs. There are also other methods that have been used to erase detrimental memories as part of PTSD, including the use of virtual reality exposure therapy.
While memory erasing seems to be a method of the future, scientists are currently testing and researching more methods (not just with drugs) to help those who have had traumatic experiences. In "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", Clementine simply called her memory erasure clinic, but it seems that the procedures will never be so easily conducted to erase painful memories. It is not as simple as erasing a bad relationship. These drugs are also most helpful and relevant to those who have psychological and emotional disorders. The ethics surrounding memory erasure are very complicated and should be considered if these drugs will ever be in pharmacies. However, eventually people may be able (with the help of reconsolidation and pharmacological agents) to erase the sting and emotional ties to memories.
Additionally, when recruiting for these studies, it may be frightening to think that one’s identity could be changed if they lose part of their memory. Changing one’s identity on a chemical level has public skepticism attached to it. In order for memory erasure to be excepted, the public would have to reshape their view on psychiatric help and how it would work. The public would most likely not embrace this very easily because, in most cases, people do not readily try new therapies without testimonials or studies shown how they work successfully. So, initially, the public would most likely not readily accept the idea of memory erasure through pharmacological means. It is important to additionally acknowledge that memories make up one's self, and every memory one has contributes to their own personal identity. Negative memories shape who we are, and I feel that most are necessary to learn life lessons.
A still from "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" when Joel is experiencing memory erasure