When it comes to brain memory power, what seems obvious is reducing attention on unwanted information helps erase the same. Common sense says the same, redirecting attention from unwanted experiences or suppressing unwanted memory from reviving is the easy way to bury it deep inside the brain. The theory supported by brain research in this space.
In this space, extended research by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin says brain power required is more to erase unwanted memories. Commonly, individuals want to discard memories that initiate maladaptive reaction like the ones that have been traumatic. In doing so, it helps to react to newer experiences in an adaptive manner.
Brain’s Role to Erase Unwanted Memories remains Question
Past research supports it is the ability of an individual to voluntarily forget something, but how the brain helps to erase such memories is still in question. To tackle this, the need of the hour is to figure out how memories fade, and devise techniques to control this. On attaining this, treatment can be designed to help individuals get rid of unwanted memories.
For memory, it is not static. Memories are dynamic constructions of the brain updated, modified, and reorganized through experiences. As a general observation, the brain is constantly in the mode of remembering and forgetting things. More so, the pattern observed during sleep.
Prior to this, for brain studies on intentional forgetting, the focus was on locating hotspots of activity in the brain. This included locating control structures such as prefrontal cortex as well as long-term structures such as the hippocampus.
