During the experiment, the snails were exposed to electric shocks. Surprisingly, those snails that “remembered” previous discharges reacted stronger and longer than their inexperienced counterparts. This is not just an interesting phenomenon, but also a key to understanding the mechanisms of memory.
The scientists extracted ribonucleic acids from the snails that took part in the experiment and injected them into the snails that were not subjected to electric shocks. And the result was amazing - the muscles of the latter contracted as strongly and for a long time as those of snails with a “memory” of electric discharges.
These discoveries hold enormous potential for future research, especially in the field of human memory. The ability to manipulate memories opens up new horizons in the field of psychology and psychiatry. While the idea of altering memory may sound like the plot of a dystopian movie, it can help people cope with traumatic memories.
This is not the first time that scientists have studied memory. Two years ago, researchers from Princeton University and Dartmouth College turned their attention to chains of associations in human memory. Their research confirmed that it is possible to “erase” a memory without affecting the others associated with it.
The next step will be to further explore the potential ethical issues associated with the use of such technologies in humans. How will changing memory affect a person’s personality and life? What safety and ethical guarantees will be put in place before possible use in humans?