Recent research reveals that people can consciously remove specific information from their memories. This is achieved by dampening the brain circuits that initially stored the information.
In a study published in June 2025 in the *Journal of Neuroscience*, participants were asked to forget one of two items. Brain scans showed that removing memory content involves reduced excitability in the neural circuits tied to the unwanted information. This mechanism may help manage intrusive thoughts, rumination, or hallucinations.
These findings offer insight into how the brain actively clears space in memory. The study involved nearly 30 participants performing a memory task while researchers recorded their brain activity. The results indicate a mechanism linked to consciously removing information from a memory: less excitable brain circuits that initially process unneeded memory content.