How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past

How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past

A disarmingly personal account of the new science of memory manipulation by one of today’s leading pioneers in the field As a graduate student at MIT, Steve Ramirez successfully created false memories in the lab. Now, as a neuroscientist working at the frontiers of brain science, he foresees a future where we can replace our negative memories with positive ones. In How to Change a Memory , Ramirez draws on his own memories—of friendship, family, loss, and recovery—to reveal how memory can be turned on and off like a switch, edited, and even constructed from nothing. A future in which we can change our memories of the past may seem improbable, but in fact, the everyday act of remembering is one of transformation. Intentionally editing memory to improve our lives takes advantage of the brain’s natural capacity for change. In How to Change a Memory , Ramirez explores how scientists discovered that memories are fluid—they change over time, can be erased, reactivated, and even falsely implanted in the lab. Reflecting on his own path as a scientist, he examines how memory manipulation shapes our imagination and sense of self. If we can erase a deeply traumatic memory, would it change who we are? And what would that change mean anyway? Throughout, Ramirez carefully considers the ethics of artificially controlling memory, exploring how we might use this tool responsibly—for both personal healing and the greater good. A masterful blend of memoir and cutting-edge science, How to Change a Memory explores how neuroscience has reached a critical juncture, where scientists can see the potential of memory manipulation to help people suffering from the debilitating effects of PTSD, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, addiction, and a host of other neurological and behavioral disorders. "[Ramirez’s] storytelling moves fluidly between memoir and science writing, blending lab anecdotes with personal reflections in a way that makes even the most technical discoveries feel intimate. . . . For students and young scientists, the book is a beacon—it shows that science does not demand that we hide our imperfections and that our fragilities and limits can coexist with creativity and rigor, reminding readers that discovery is a deeply human pursuit rather than a purely technical one. For nonexpert readers, it delivers complex neuroscience in a form that is intimate, relatable, and often funny." ---Gisella Vetere, Science "[A] riveting debut, which blends personal narrative and scientific analysis. . . . While the idea of memory manipulation may seem creepy, the potential for good is immense, according to Ramirez, who convincingly posits that these new tools may lead to treatments for PTSD, anxiety disorders, and addiction, and might even be able to reactive memories lost to dementia. It's an illuminating look at a dynamic area of neuroscientific research." ― Publishers Weekly "Fascinating stuff. . . . [A] great book." ---Ira Flatow, Science Friday "The book, How to Change a Memory , hooked me and didn’t let me go. . . . What I liked most about the book. . . is its undercurrent: [Ramirez’s] research became intensely personal." ---Kevin Berger, Nautilus "The book isn't just a breezy summary of memory research, though, it's an engaging and at times heartbreaking telling of Ramirez's personal journey pursuing this research." ---Ed Cara, Gizmodo "Ramirez . . . provides an informative and accessible account of an emerging field that has the potential to assist people afflicted with anxiety, PTSD, and dementia." ---Glenn C. Altschuler, Psychology Today "[Presents] a really optimistic view of what neuroscience can do for psychiatric disorders." ---Sara Talpos, Undark "In movies . . . there’s often a sinister air around the memory-tweaking scientist character. Ramirez, a Boston University professor, is friendly, earnest and. . . . sees this research not as the next frontier of coercive mind control but as another way to alleviate mental suffering, alongside medications and cognitive therapies." ---Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times "[In his book] Professor Steve Ramirez explored a realm of science so advanced that, until now, it has only existed in sci-fi movies. . . . As he chronicled both his breakthroughs experimenting on the brains of rodents at Boston University, as well as his grief over the death of his lab partner, Xu Liu, he revealed that rewriting human memories could one day become a common part of modern medicine." ---Rob Waugh, Daily Mail "[Ramirez] carefully considers the ethics of artificially controlling memory, exploring how we might use this tool responsibly, both for personal healing and for the greater good." ---Gunnel Minett, Breathwork Science “Steve Ramirez deftly blends storytelling and science in this deeply personal book. Ramirez has done game-changing work to reveal the mechanisms of memory. How to Change a Memory puts these discoveries in a broader context, telling the story of memory in a