Sunday, November 26, 2006

The Memory Pill

If you experienced a painful or traumatic event, would you want a pill which could lessen the bad memories of what happened? That option might soon be here because of a drug called propranolol.

The Memory Pill
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Background

If there were a pill you could take after experiencing a painful or traumatic event that would permanently weaken your memory of what had just happened, would you take it?


An ongoing study suggests it's a choice that may not be so far off. The drug is called propranolol and it's already used to treat high blood pressure. As Lesley Stahl reports, the prospect of using propranolol to modify memory has some trauma victims filled with hope, and some critics alarmed by the potential for misuse.

Comments

Sound off on this segment. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

1
Thanx for the info. Hope is in the air!!!!!!!!!!!!! GD
Posted by gdoiblue on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 7:36 PM ET
2
HI everybdoy i just want to know if the Memory Pills really work. Me being me I dont know if it does??????
Posted by thick_gump_chick on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 7:39 PM ET
3
While this segment addresses the blocking of memory. How does it relate to Alzheimers Disease? Are ther any relationships. How does it relate to the issues of amyloid deposits and does adreneline interact in some way? It left more questions. HB
Posted by hbraverman@sbcglobal.net on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 7:40 PM ET
4
Very interesting and stimulating
Posted by speedisus@sbcglobal.net on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 7:40 PM ET
5
For more information , where could we go for more studys, and if it is possble to sign up.
Posted by nlsnltsh on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 7:48 PM ET
6
Has anyone considered what criminals can do with this drug? Isn't guilt and shame a factor in keeping some people honest and law abiding? Now if someone steals something or even MURDERS someone, All they would have to do is take a pill and not feel bad about it at all. I think it could be a great asset to some people but a very dangerous way to escape the guilt feelings that the criminal element would, and SHOULD feel. R. W. Sowers rich4121@hotmail.Com
Posted by bandmaster2004 on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 7:54 PM ET
7
Thank you, thank you, thank you for reporting on this study. And shame on those who would withhold relief from PTSD sufferers.
Posted by n757jh on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 7:54 PM ET
8
great show! I was wondering if the adreneline could help my daughter and her traumatic brain injury? She shows some sign of memory. I have been searching for things to help I have even considered the Hyperbaric chamber but we can't afford that.
Posted by kiki_81349 on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 7:59 PM ET
9
I have been on the drug since 1982 for migraines. Now I am concerned about negative effects I may have from the drug. I look forward to following more reports and studies on this
Posted by dionepet on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 8:15 PM ET
10
Who do we contact if we want to be a part of a study for this medication? Having suffered childhood sexual, verbal, physical and emotional abuse, being a recovering alcoholic, and having lived through several other very traumatic events, it sure would be nice to not have these memories haunt me every day of my life, negatively impacting every waking moment. Has there ever been a positive breakthrough of any kind that someone hasn't thought of negative reasons to with hold the positive treatment? The only people that can possibly be against this would be those who have not been severely affected by traumatic events, who find themselves arrogantly expressing opinions that might better be left not sharing. Like a point made in the show, if you have a patient with severe physical injury that only administering oxycontin or morphine would help ease their pain, should you with hold the medication because it can be addictive? Because some people might abuse it? Bandmaster2004, please keep your limited opinions out of a subject that has no impact on you.
Posted by briguy0813 on Sun, Nov 26, 2006 8:18 PM ET
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