• Is it right to obliterate a person’s memories of a significant life event in the hopes that it may prevent later emotional suffering? Might it be possible to erase troubling memories in people with PTSD—or at least to blunt their emotional effects? Although such suggestions may have seemed far-fetched only a few years ago, recent scientific discoveries offer such possibilities.

Researchers are exploring whether certain drugs can block disturbing memories or reduce the anxiety or fear associated with traumatic experiences (Andero et al., 2011). In one study, people with chronic PTSD were asked to recall and describe details of the PTSD-related traumatic event and were then given either a common blood pressure drug, propranolol, or a placebo (inactive drug; Brunet et al., 2007). A week later, they were asked to reactivate mental images associated with the traumatic event while the investigators monitored their physiological reactions, including their heart rate and level of muscle tension. Those who had received propranolol showed lower physiological activity compared to those who had received the placebo. It appears the drug may blunt the body’s physiological response to traumatic memories. However, more evidence of the effectiveness of propranolol in treating PTSD is needed before it could be recommended for routine use (Steenen et al., 2016).