Targeting memory of embedded positive verbal content indirectly modulates negative visual memory

Negative visual memories are persistent distressing mental images and a hallmark symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, ongoing attempts to directly modulate negative memories are often ineffective. Here, we show that targeting the memory with embedded positive verbal content can indirectly modulate negative visual memory. Participants encoded sequences of positive words embedded within negative pictures. Following encoding, participants were instructed to remember or to forget the embedded words. Results show that verbal memory was weaker when participants were directly instructed to forget relative to remember the words. Importantly, intentional forgetting of positive verbal memory indirectly reduced negative visual memory for pictures that followed the words. An additional experiment revealed that in the absence of verbal memory retrieval, instructions to remember the words indirectly reduced negative visual memory. These findings emphasize the potential of positive experiences to downregulate negative memories, possibly uncovering future strategies for treating psychopathologies such as PTSD.