by wildcherry on Thursday, February 19th, 2009 | Health, Life

Just about everybody has experienced something they would rather forget – it could be something as simple as an embarrassing night out with friends, or perhaps something more sinister that continues to haunt you for years on end.

Well, erasing unwanted memories might just become a reality in the not-too-distant future. New research from Europe has shown that a pill might just save the day.

Dr Tim Sharp, founder of The Happiness Institute, joins TODAY to explain the new research and what it could mean for the everyday Aussie.

The study: Natural Neuroscience

* Dutch researchers say they used the beta-blocker, Propranolol usually used on heart disease patients effectively to block bad memories.

* The study involved 60 men and women.

* The group was initially shown a series of pictures on spiders and given gentle electric shocks simultaneously in order to create a negative association with the images.

* The next day the group was split in two - One group was prescribed beta-blockers and the other was given a placebo.

* Both groups were then played sudden noises and their level of fear/discomfort was measured.

* The group taking beta-blockers were calmer than those on the placebo.

* They were all tested again the following day after the drugs were out of their systems. Those that had taken beta-blockers were still less responsive/scared than those that had taken the placebo.

* Researchers claim this result shows that the medication had completely blocked or erased the bad memory.

* They claim the drug prevents the bad memory being remade in the brain.

* Researchers present this kind of drug as more favourable to traditional methods of training people to cope with bad memories.

The pill is still in a testing phase and will target cases of PTSD, social phobias, eating disorders and obsessions.

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… But as British experts have suggested, the use of such medication will prevent people from learning from their mistakes by remembering their actions. They have also raised the problem of witnesses or victims of criminal acts being unable to testify in trials if they were to wipe their memories of the events.

For a drug-free approach, Dr Sharp suggests that you simply rethink the bad memories – consider them as learning experiences. Re-experiencing events by placing yourself back in the situation with more effective coping strategies, including relaxation strategies and being equipped with more information, will also help by making you feel more empowered.

Tags: bad experience, bad memory, erase bad memories, memory, move on, neuroscience