Nightmares aren't the only things that can haunt your slumber. Researchers can now trigger fears while you're sleeping---in order to help you overcome them. Neurologist Jay Gottfried, who authored the study, told the Washington Post
,
“Sleep sort of stamps memories in more strongly. That’s when a lot of memory formation can take place.”
To test this, the researchers showed pictures of two faces to 15 participants. With each face came a particular odor---new sneaker, lemon, clove, etc.---as well as a little electric shock. After repeating this conditioning, participants came to fear their particular face/smell/shock combos. Then the participants went to sleep. During their deep sleep period
, when memories are thought to be formed, the researchers repeatedly wafted one of the face-associated odors at each participant, to expose the unconscious brain to the fear stimulus.
Once awake, the participants showed less fear (measured by sweat and brain activity) at ...
