Masking the memory of fear: Treating anxiety disorders such as PTSD with an opioid

(Tokyo University of Science) While fear memory -- or the ability to remember contexts in which to be afraid -- is important for survival, too much of it, and an inability to forget contexts that no longer apply, hinders daily activities. Recently, scientists from Japan found that a certain opioid drug can help mask some fear memory without causing undesirable side effects. This could make new therapies possible for anxiety disorders like phobias or PTSD.