Lead researcher Dr. Fenton says the inhibitor is called ZIP. Once injected into a rat’s brain, it forgot what part of its small chamber gives off electrical shocks. Before the injection, the rat learned very well which area to avoid.

Dr. Fenton says the real goal is to eventually learn how memory is stored, and how to change one recollection without affecting others.

This means that creating more PKM-Zeta molecules can increase memory, help ward off Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Hypothetically, this would also deal with trauma, chronic fears or addictions like smoking or drinking – all of which could possibly be wiped clean by deleting the memory of the behavior stored in the brain through experience.

If and when memory editing becomes available, it will be a life-altering option. Considering that you are the sum of the experiences that you have, deleting what you remember may mean deleting a part of your personality.