Can a pill erase bad memories

The Daily Mail newspaper yesterday carried as its main story an item that discussed the possibilities of erasing bad memories by using beta-blocker drugs.

Researchers in Holland exposed two groups of volunteers to a painful experience of seeing a spider whilst being subjected to mild electric shocks. When subjected to the same image a second time the group who had taken the beta blockers showed a reduced startle response.

This test is a long way off from the memory erasing techniques of the film "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind" (see the picture above) but it does prompt some interesting questions.

If we remove old memories does that make us less of a person? Do we risk losing our ability to learn from negative experiences if we have them erased?

Is this simply a new way to sell drugs?
It may be that some would see this as a market to sell drugs into, drug companies seem to do there best to medicalise everyday life experiences. There are effective alternatives though, even for difficult problems like PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder). Thought Field Therapy or the related Emotional Freedom Technique can both be used to remove the negative emotional aspect of a memory without attempting to remove the memory itself.

If emotional trauma is still affecting your life following a difficult event then do give one of these techniques a try. They often provide very effective results in a relatively short period of time.