What if your bad memories could be turned off? Would you do it?

Think of the most embarrassing thing you've ever done. Now imagine someone could flip a switch and make that memory disappear. Not the whole day. Just that one horrible moment you'd happily pay to forget.

Would you do it?

Now imagine someone else gets to choose which memories stay, and since they were there for your most embarrassing moment, they choose to keep that memory. Talk about accusations!

"I never did that!"

"Oh, yes you did! I was there!"

Suddenly, this doesn't sound quite so wonderful.

Scientists have developed a way to turn specific brain cells on and off using light. Yes, light.

It's called optogenetics, which sounds like something your ophthalmologist charges extra for. But the idea is fascinating.

By making certain brain cells sensitive to light, they can be activated or silenced.

I've had my share of memories I'd rather forget. Some still trigger feelings that serve absolutely no purpose in my life today. I catch myself thinking, "For God's sake, let it go!" And yet, there they are, taking up space in my head (or when someone reminds me of them. Ugh!) without paying a dime in rent. So would I erase them if I could? I'm not sure.

I'd like to keep the wisdom. But do I really need to keep the pain?

The technology is nowhere near becoming a human memory-editing service. But they've demonstrated something extraordinary.

Imagine someone who survived a terrible accident but relives it every night. What if doctors could quiet the fear without erasing the memory? Or someone with a debilitating phobia. Could we someday turn down the terror while leaving everything else intact?

That's the hopeful side.

But memories aren't just recordings of what happened. They shape our decisions, our relationships, and the people we've become.

Erase the pain of betrayal, and would you trust the wrong person again? Remove the grief of losing someone, and would you lose something precious along with it? And if someone could change how you remember your past, how much of you would still be you?

Scientists found a way to reach into the machinery behind some of our most private experiences. Which leaves us with one rather uncomfortable question:

If you could erase your worst memory, would you?

And an even better one:

Would you trust anyone else with the switch?

Harper Woods | Author of the Privileged Secrets trilogy

Explore my books at harperwoodsauthor.com