Researchers at Leicester University have been dipping a toe in the increasingly-popular field of Eternal Sunshine-like druggery. Here's the skinny:

University of Leicester researchers identified a protein called lipocalin-2 that the brain produces in response to stress. Lipocalin-2 reduces junctions that brain cells use called "mushroom spines," which help us remember things we once learned. By artificially bumping up the level of the protein, the scientists say they can reduce future anxiety associated with painful memories.

Researcher Dr Robert Pawlak (CORR) said: "Mushroom spines help us remember things we once learned - but it is not always good.

"˜Some very stressful events would better be forgotten quickly or they may result in anxiety disorders. There is a constant battle of forces in our brain to help maintain the right balance of thin and mushroom spines "“ or how much to remember and what better to forget.

"˜We have identified a protein that the brain produces in response to stress in order to reduce the number of mushroom spines and therefore reduce future anxiety associated with stressful events.' (Source)

The folks doing all tis research should have some kind of conference at Montauk, eh? Eh?

That link comes via this Jezebel article, which came via Julie.