By associating a positive experience with the memory, a person can change the context of that event and induce a positive feeling when remembering the event in the future. Often, it may include sense-related cues, such as smell or taste, the external environment, and the thoughts or feelings a person experiences around the event.Ī 2021 study found that attaching a positive meaning to a past negative experience can have a long lasting impact. Context can be anything that is associated with memory. The mental context in which a person perceives an event affects how the mind organizes the memories of that event. Gaining a better understanding of how people can substitute an unwanted memory may help people to avoid reliving a traumatic event. Experts sometimes describe this technique as similar to slamming on the brakes in a car or steering to avoid a hazard. This technique suggests that people can substitute a negative memory by redirecting their consciousness toward an alternative memory. Some people may consider using thought or memory substitution strategies to help them suppress unwanted memories.

This theory suggests that people can block unpleasant, painful, or traumatic memories if there is a motivation to do so. Some evidence supports the theory of motivated forgetting. While more research is necessary, neuroscientists and psychologists may be able to use this information to help people forget unwanted memories. Researchers can better understand neuronal mechanisms that create and store memories by investigating and studying the human mind.

Relive childhood memory