I always find that remembering what I had for breakfast is trial enough, but for those readers suffering from bad memories (You know the ones- sat through ‘The Spirit’. Made to stay with ‘uncle’ Barnaby etc etc) it turns out that common heart drugs may have the ability to cheer you right up, eternal sunshine fashion (though not, unfortunately, to make me forget sitting through that movie). In recent tests, the beta blocker propranolol was shown to alter the way subjects recalled traumatic experiences. Before the US citizens among you swap your Zanex out though, remember that this stuff also affects good memories, And according to Dr Daniel Sokol, lecturer in Medical Ethics at St George’s, University of London;
“Removing bad memories is not like removing a wart or a mole. It will change our personal identity since who we are is linked to our memories. It may perhaps be beneficial in some cases, but before eradicating memories, we must reflect on the knock-on effects that this will have on individuals, society and our sense of humanity.”
So, while this may lead to early onset Alzheimer’s , reduced IQ, heart conditions and possibly anal leakage too, it’s got to be easier than dealing with that recent valentines break-up right? Ain’t science wonderful?
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