Can Editing Memories Provide A Treatment For Overcoming Trauma?

Anching Hsieh

doi:10.54097/1rfbsm23

Authors

Anching Hsieh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/1rfbsm23

Keywords:

Post-traumatic stress disorder; non-declarative memory; propofol;

Abstract

This paper reviews on how many have experienced traumatic events in their lives, walking out the shadow is an important topic. In this paper, it argues that editing memory can be a potential treatment for overcoming trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. Scientists have found that propofol has an effect on memory, moreover, propofol can be used to erase negative emotional responses against a certain event. It is possible to edit a memory and reduce the fear towards it. Additionally, editing memory in this case only treats nondeclarative memory rather than forgetting declarative memory. Thus, it ensures ethics at the same time. Therefore, using propofol to edit memory might be a potential solution to overcoming traumatic events and the pains it brings.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] APA Dictionary of Psychology. (n.d.). https://dictionary.apa.org/declarative-memory

[2] Folino, T. B., Muco, E., Safadi, A. O., & Parks, L. J. (2023, July 24). Propofol. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430884/#:~:text=Propofol%20is%20an%20intravenous%20anesthetic,some%20combination%20of%20the%20two.

[3] Haridy, R. (2019, May 24). The incredible science exploring how to edit our memories. New Atlas. https://newatlas.com/edit-brain-memories-ptsd-trauma/59830/#:~:text=The%20idea%20is%20that%20when,being%20reconsolidated%20by%20our%20brain.

[4] Milton, A. (n.d.). Can we edit memories? [Video]. TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_milton_can_we_edit_memories/transcript?subtitle=zh-tw

[5] Niu, W., Duan, Y., Kang, Y., Cao, X., & Xue, Q. (2022). Propofol improves learning and memory in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) mice via recovering hippocampus synaptic plasticity. Life Sciences, 293, 120349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120349

[6] Tan, S. Z. K., & Lim, L. W. (2020). A practical approach to the ethical use of memory modulating technologies. BMC Medical Ethics, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-020-00532-z

[7] Vallejo, A. G., Kroes, M. C. W., Rey, E., Acedo, M. V., Moratti, S., Fernández, G., & Strange, B. A. (2019). Propofol-induced deep sedation reduces emotional episodic memory reconsolidation in humans. Science Advances, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aav3801

[8] Veselis, R., Reinsel, R., Wronski, M., Marino, P., Tong, W., & Bedford, R. (1992). EEG AND MEMORY EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE INFUSIONS OF PROPOFOL †. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 69(3), 246–254. https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/69.3.246

[9] World Health Organization: WHO. (2024, May 27). Post-traumatic stress disorder. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/post-traumatic-stress-disorder#:~:text=Around%2070%25%20of%20people%20globally,in%20their%20lives%20(2).