14.7.11

The Brain Can be Trained to Erase Embarrassing Memories

memoryAccording to the latest scientist study, they have proved that selective memory really exists and people can train their minds to erase embarrassing moments from their mind. Repressing bad memories for long enough can lead to us forgetting them completely, researchers claim.

Scientists used EEG scans to monitor the parts of the brain that became active when volunteers actively tried to forget something. They were also able to pinpoint the exact moment a memory is 'forgotten', and claim that long-term suppression of a memory is a sure-fire way of permanently erasing it.

A team from Lund University in Sweden said that mastering the technique could be useful for people who suffer from depression or post traumatic stress disorder, where constantly dwelling on upsetting or traumatic memories has a devastating effect on mental health. Lead researcher Gerd Waldhauser said: 'We know that "forgotten" or repressed feelings often manifest themselves as physiological reactions.

'Our volunteers were trained to forget neutral information in a controlled laboratory environment. Training to forget a traumatic event would be more complex.'

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