Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal Merel Kindt on Eliminating Phobias / PTSD enduringly
Oct 20, 2020
In this engaging discussion, Merel Kindt, a Professor at the University of Amsterdam specializing in fear extinction, shares her groundbreaking work on eliminating phobias and PTSD. She reveals how beta-blockers can dramatically reduce fear through minimal sessions. The conversation dives into the fascinating roles of genetics, memory, and even psychedelics in treating trauma. Kindt challenges the notion of whether we should completely eliminate fear, exploring the implications of such a journey. Tune in for insights that blend science with the complexities of human emotion!
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Fear Extinction Explained
- Fear extinction in traditional therapy doesn't erase memories.
- It forms a new, competing memory that can be overwritten by the original fear.
Memory Reconsolidation
- Reactivating a fear memory makes it vulnerable to change.
- Protein synthesis inhibitors can block the reconsolidation of fear memories.
Rat Experiment
- A rat is made afraid of a tone, then the fear is triggered again.
- Injecting a protein synthesis inhibitor then eliminates the fear response.