Now American researchers think they are close to developing a pill, which will help people forget bad memories. The pill is designed to be taken immediately after a frightening experience. They hope it might reduce, or possibly erase, the effect of painful memories. In November, experts tested a drug on people in the US and France. The drug stops the body releasing chemicals that fix memories in the brain. So far the research has suggested that only the emotional effects of memories may be reduced, not that the memories are erased. The research has caused a great deal of argument. Some think it is a bad idea, while others support it.

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美国研究人员认为，他们即将开发出一种帮助人们忘掉不快记忆的药片。这种药物拟于遭遇恐怖经历后立即服用。他们希望该药能够减少以至消除痛苦的记忆。2004年11月，专家们在美国和法国部分患者身上进行了试验。该药可阻止人体释放某些致使记忆在大脑定型的化学物质。目前研究表明，该药只能降低记忆对人的情感影响，但记忆本身还无法消除。该项研究争议颇大，有人认为这是馊主意，但也有人表示支持。