Overcoming
fears are considered a difficult and lengthy process that takes willpower and
defiance.
Researchers
now say that arduous task can be done in your sleep.
A
new study from Northwestern University has found a way to reduce fear memories
in people while they sleep using odors.
The odors are able to
transform fears into
benign memories, say the researchers.
"It's a novel finding," said study author Katherina Hauner.
"We
showed a small but significant decrease in fear. The bigger picture is that,
perhaps, the treatment of phobias can be enhanced during sleep."
The study used 15
participants who were
received mild electric shocks while looking at pictures of two different faces.
They were also subjected to certain smells while seeing each face and being
shocked.
This made the face and the smell
associated with fear, which was measured by sweat production and fMRI.
During
sleep the odors were presented again without shocks. When the subjects woke and
were presented with the faces, their fears had been reduced - until they were
electrocuted again of course.
The findings may be a
novel method in enhancing daytime treatment of fears. It is also novel as it
was only recently that scientists discovered that emotions could be manipulated
while the person is asleep
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