Dampening Emotional Memories

Matthew Hutson of Psychology Today writes: “Memories make us who we are—even, or perhaps especially—the painful ones. What would life be like if we could erase their emotional associations? It’s not just a hypothetical question; scientists are finding that the drug Propranolol, originally developed for hypertension, can prevent posttraumatic stress disorder if taken soon after a stressful event—or even reduce symptoms decades later if taken during therapy sessions. The drug works by blocking adrenaline, whose release helps solidify memories. But the intervention is ripe for misuse, and its effects on personality (will it blunt happy thoughts too?) are yet unclear.”

It is hard to speculate whether or not I would use a drug to dampen an emotional memory, because I have not been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nor have I ever been in a situation medically stressful enough to warrant such diagnosis. (However, it is speculation that comprises opinion.) Ethically, I would not take a drug that inhibits any memory, emotionally painful or otherwise.

Memories can be haunting. When my step-mother left my father, my father tried to commit suicide. He was drunk when he told me; I was only eighteen. That is something an eughteen year old is not easily mentally capable of processing.  When I was twenty, my mother died. A twenty-year-old woman needs her mother more than anything in the world. It is at twenty years old that a woman really becomes a woman and begins entering into life changes—college, marriage, children.

I have lived through my parent’s divorce, and my father’s second divorce. I have seen my mother’s boyfriend drunk, mean and mentally abusive. I have been mentally abused—I have told I am worthless, stupid, fat, ugly, and a piece of white trash. I have seen the cuts and bruises and blood from where my mother and her boyfriend got beaten over the head, with beer bottles, from “an old friend”.

These are bittersweet memories. Though haunting, without these memories, I would live with regret; I would lack strength of character and wisdom. It is easy to occasionally want a pill that can make you happier; no one desires a hard life. Growth is an important part of life and an important aspect of our personalities. Memories make us who we are. If you take away a person’s memories by hiding them, they will cease to be who they are. They will cease to be human.

I have not been raped, had an abortion, or been through a major car accident or surgery. I have not been through any debilitating experiences. It is through my own experiences, however, I have learned. It is through these memories, I have learned not to repeat history. I do not want these things in my life; I do not want to do them myself. (I do want to be abusive, for example.) Learning is a powerful thing.

There is potential in these medications, when used properly. If used alongside proper therapy, they might