More spooky memory research with implications for trauma and addiction:
The researchers injected a small protein – a peptide called ZIP – directly into an area of the addicted rats’ basal forebrain called the nucleus accumbens, which controls pleasure and reward and which has been demonstrated to be connected to drug addiction.
Afterward, the rats were returned to their pens to check their reactions. Rather than seeking out the place where they had been getting their “fixes” of cocaine, the rats ignored it, indicating that memories linked to their addiction had been erased.
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Published by Jason Schwartz
I have been an addiction professional and social worker since 1994. I started blogging in 2005 as the Clinical Director at Dawn Farm. I currently serve as the Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care for a healthcare system. I've also served as the Director of Behavioral Health at another hospital. I'm also a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work.
Views expressed here are my own.
Keep in mind that the field, the contexts in which the field operates, and my views have changed over time.
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More spooky memory research with implications for trauma and addiction:
You are right: this is spooky and you can imagine all sorts of problems arising. Memory is unlikely to be stored in labelled neurological filing cabinets that can be opened to extract files safely. I don’t think i’ll sign up as remembering the horror of addiction is a good way for me to avoid repeating it.