Narcotic dose erases painful memories and treats phobia

London testimonials: A study showed that a dose of the drug could help patients recover from the trauma experienced in the past and even treat phobia of all kinds.

The researchers found that the next day, patients who were asked to retrieve painful memories before administering a drug containing propofol were significantly weaker in their minds, reported The Independent.

Whether it's fear of spiders or post-traumatic stress disorder, they can be treated if they find a way to control the effect of this medication on patients, the researchers said.

The most common assumption was that memory, once created in the mind, was virtually impossible to target and erase. But laboratory experiments gradually revealed that this was not true, although the methods used on test mice, such as injecting substances into their brains, are not suitable for humans.

An electric shock in the brain with severe depression clears painful memories but is not optimal.

"The ECT is a very invasive treatment and it is best to find a simpler way to target painful memories," said Dr. Brian String of the University of Madrid at the Independent.

Patients receiving this treatment also receive narcotics. The team then asked if these drugs had a role in erasing negative memories.

To test this idea, the team asked 50 volunteer patients to watch slide shows telling emotional stories and painful incidents involving violence and injuries.

A week later, they were offered excerpts of programs to stimulate their memories before giving them the drug Propobol. He then asked half of the patients to remember the story after 24 hours, as well as a story that did not stimulate their memory before the treatment.

The researchers found that patients did not remember both stories. Dr. String said that it was interesting that propofol very selectively erases the painful emotional element of the story, noting that patients had forgotten moments of violence or injury.

While painful memories can be isolated by virtual reality, phobia can be attributed to specific incidents, such as a road accident that can be isolated and treated, Dr. String said. It is really worth trying.

Dr. Rafi Das, who conducts similar research at London University College, said the new study, which he did not participate in, "constitutes an interesting development in an expanding field of research." Painful memories are an essential part of situations such as PTSD, the existence of treatments that specifically weaken these memories up to now.

This report was prepared by The Independent. Original published at:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/anaesthetic-drug-wipe-memories-ptsd-phobia-mental-health-a8831761.html