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: 24 May 2012
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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:)