![Drug Used to Reduce Stress Hormone Levels Erases Impact of Bad Memories Drug Used to Reduce Stress Hormone Levels Erases Impact of Bad Memories](https://www.medindia.net/afp/images/US-health-memory-3146.jpg)
The participants were shown 11 slides each, with slide numbers 5 to 8 showing negative images while the other slides showed neutral images. The participants were then divided into three groups and three days later were given a single dose of metyrapone, a double dose of metyrapone and the final group was given a placebo.
The participants were then asked to describe the slides immediately and four days later and the researchers found that those who had been given the drug were unable to clearly recall the slides that displayed negative images.
“When everyone's cortisol levels are equivalent because the drug has cleared out from the body, the memory trace is still lower in people who had received the metyrapone. The effect is specific to the negative information, so it leaves neutral memories unaffected”, Marin said.
Source-Medindia