Cool, a new memory erasing drug!
At least that’s what you’d think if you read the health news headlines plastered over the ‘net over the past few days about propranolol’s magical memory erasing abilities:
- Blood Pressure Drug May Erase Fearful Memories – WebMD
- Common drug eases memories of …
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Site last updated: 23 May 2013
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Propranolol is a beta-blocker often used to reduce the side effects (e.g. tremors, twitches, etc) of psychotropic medications. It is also used to treat essential tremor–a slight trembling of the hands that is hereditary and non-degenerative.
Would not that suggest that perhaps these results have less to do with any effect on memory and more to do with the effects of the drug itself? I mean, keeping hands steady and stabalizing blood pressure would pretty much negate most of a “startle response” wouldn’t it?
Absolutely, and that’s the same point we made when we first wrote about this drug and it’s “memory” effects back in 2007. It is simply doing the job it has always done, and it’s not clear that job has anything to do with memory.
There are plenty of articles on this topic that differentiate between “erasing” memory and memory blunting.
More irresponsibilty from the world of reporters…
This drug was never actually toted as erasing memories; it has proven usefull for people who suffer from PTSD because is reduces the exagerated startle response that those with PTSD suffer from. MAKING the memories..or ‘flashbacks’ if you will..seem a bit more tolerable.
So far, I like the outcome of the studies, but I do NOT like the way people are writing about it…irresponsible science makes all of us mental health professionals look like idiots.
If it helps me from stressing during interviews so I can get a job without mini panic attacks, I’d allow some memory loss.
However, in this sound bite world, the news that fits vs the research that’s correct wins again.
your words made me brave enough to let it out and i thank you for that.
please let me know more. i would so love to live in happy now..take this and i could care less if it erases bad memories. i sleep at night and my brain isnt punishing my mind so much anymore. gained some weight but am not afraid to go out in public so much now, so i can walk or ride my bike. still hesitant but not so much. afraid to talk to doctor because he has little time and id have to say stuff so fast i would sound nutso. so i am reaching out..i have to move on up and stop hiding and if this does help others i would so love to hear from you..sick of hiding. lol:)
Hello, I just learned today that his drug can erase bad memories. I was put on this medication the late 2011 for tremors. I have PTSD from all the death I have seen and trauma of brutal abuse and murder. I’m only prescribed Xanax for an anxiety attach. I still get the “flashes” or a smell will set off bad memories. Although, I noticed when some of the bad memories came to mind, I wouldn’t get what I call body anxiety or anxiety while on this medication this was the first time I felt this way after 28 years. I even stopped taking Xanax. I was taken off this medication after about 3 month on its. During the holidays in 2012 the memories flooded back but I was anxiety and upset about it. I always just get through it and move on over time. After learning about this drug, I started to take it again. It eased the bad memories but it also made me feel indifferent over the good memories. I think it is just a brief Anxiety relief from lowering your blood pressure. Even though my BP has been 120/70. My personal thought is that it just a numbing experience when it comes to the bad memories and good memories. I never forget the bad memories and I never will, it makes me the person I’m today. Like I said before, I never knew the drug was supposed to erase bad memories. I just noticed my body wasn’t in the state of anxiety, it normally was when flashes came back. But numbing me sense of good memories was not something I wanted. So I stopped the medication. So I knew this was not a miracle drug. I don’t know if anyone could relate to my statement or any thoughts on it?