Dr. Matthew Walker

So it's memory updating.

And there is a very clear mechanism in the human brain that allows us to do this memory updating iteratively time and time again.

This comes back to nightmare disorders.

This therapy, image rehearsal therapy, or IRT,

will have you sit down with a therapist and at first you'll describe the nightmare that you're going through and you'll write that narrative down.

And then working with a therapist, you will agree to think about a more neutral ending

to that nightmare.

So let's say that I was involved in a very, very difficult car crash.

It was just horrific.

And every night since, I'd say at least once a week, I just continue to have the nightmare of the car crash.

I know that I'm traveling towards the junction.

I apply the brakes.

The brakes have failed.

I am just looking around.

I'm trying to maneuver, but

Nothing is going to change this.

I go through the red light and someone side swipes me and that's the end.

And I relive that time and time again.

And it's awful.

So you with the therapist or I with the therapist would then start to say, well, what about the alternative scenario?