In this blog post, we’ll explore whether erasing memories is actually possible—using the movie ‘Eternal Sunshine’ as a reference—and examine how far modern science has advanced.
Do you have a memory you’d like to erase? If you could erase a moment that was incredibly embarrassing or a painful memory, would you do it? There’s a movie whose main characters answer “yes” to these questions. It’s ‘Eternal Sunshine’, which tells the story of Joel, played by Jim Carrey, and Clementine, played by Kate Winslet.
Joel and Clementine, who first met at the beach while out with friends, fall in love. Though their relationship began beautifully, as time goes on, they struggle to understand each other and experience frequent conflicts and arguments. The day after another major fight—just like so many others—Joel goes to the bookstore where Clementine works to ask for a reconciliation. However, Clementine treats Joel as if she’s seeing him for the first time and is even seen with another man. A bewildered Joel soon receives a note. The note explained that Clementine, unable to bear their relationship, had gone to a clinic that erases memories and had all her memories of Joel deleted.
Upon learning this, Joel is plunged into a state of shock and grief, and eventually decides to go to the same clinic to erase his memories of Clementine as well. The next day, when Joel wakes up, he feels a sense of confusion that’s hard to explain. As he’s about to go to work as usual, he suddenly feels an urge to go to the beach, where he meets a woman. That woman is none other than Clementine, whom he had loved until just a short time ago. Like Joel, Clementine had also unconsciously found her way to that same spot. Having already erased their memories of each other, the two fall in love all over again without recognizing one another. Later, they learn that they had erased each other’s memories, but they choose to see this as a reaffirmation of their fated love, and the film comes to a close.
“Eternal Sunshine,” which garnered widespread acclaim for its original premise of erasing memories and the actors’ outstanding performances, was recognized for its artistic merit by winning several film awards—including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay—upon its U.S. release. After watching the film, the question that intrigued me most was whether it’s actually possible in real life to selectively erase specific memories. At first, I thought it was a scenario only possible in the movies. However, rather than completely erasing memories themselves, various studies are still underway today aimed at reducing the intensity of memories or emotional reactions to them.
First, there is hypnotherapy as an indirect approach. Hypnotherapy does not aim to completely delete memories but rather to reduce the impact of painful memories by altering the interpretation of those memories and the emotional responses associated with them. The key is to alleviate the emotions linked to negative memories and help form a more positive mindset. Clinical hypnotherapy, which is also practiced in South Korea, utilizes techniques such as metaphors and mental imagery to change a client’s mindset and alleviate symptoms. For example, it helps someone suffering from the aftereffects of a traffic accident to associate memories related to the accident with more stable emotions. In addition, various other therapeutic methods are used to help patients understand and overcome the causes of their distress or to alleviate symptoms through positive suggestions. However, the effectiveness of hypnosis varies greatly from person to person, and it is difficult to expect the same results for everyone. Furthermore, since existing memories are often not completely replaced by new experiences—but rather coexist with them—it is difficult to view this as a method for deleting memories themselves.
Alongside this, research aimed at directly modulating memories themselves is also ongoing. In the past, animal experiments revealed that the amygdala plays a crucial role in the formation of fear memories, and the possibility of weakening these memories during the process of their reactivation has been suggested. When a specific memory resurfaces, it enters a temporarily unstable state, and research has been conducted to exploit this period to weaken the memory. However, such research has not yet led to a technology capable of completely erasing memories; it is more appropriate to view it as basic research aimed at treating pathological memories, such as traumatic memories.
Similar attempts have also been made in studies involving human subjects. A Dutch research team confirmed that administering the beta-blocker propranolol at the moment a memory is reactivated may reduce the emotional response to fear-related memories. This study focuses on reducing the fear or anxiety responses associated with memories rather than erasing the memories themselves, and various follow-up studies are ongoing to explore the potential for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, further research is needed regarding its effectiveness and scope of application, and the technology to selectively erase specific memories has not yet been clinically established.
In addition, research is steadily progressing to identify the neurotransmitters and neural circuits involved in the process of forgetting. Animal studies have reported that specific receptors play a crucial role in the process of adapting to new environments and modifying existing memories. Such research provides important clues for understanding the mechanisms by which humans recover from unnecessary fear memories or traumatic experiences. However, technology capable of selectively erasing memories or retaining only desired ones has not yet been realized, and most research currently focuses on modulating memories or alleviating negative emotional responses.
Thus, research into memory modulation continues to advance in various directions. While the technology to freely erase only desired memories—as seen in movies—is not yet a reality, therapeutic techniques aimed at improving the lives of those suffering from traumatic memories are steadily advancing. Perhaps an era will come when we can modulate memories more precisely. However, memories contain not only pain but also life experiences and personal growth. While the advancements of modern science are undoubtedly remarkable, the question remains: to what extent is it right to alter the memories—whether good or bad—that have ultimately shaped who we are? Therefore, even if an era of selectively erasing memories were to arrive, it would be difficult to say with certainty that such a future would be welcome to everyone.
