Memory reconsolidation is foundational to every therapy instigating deep change. On this week’s episode, the hosts begin a 4-part series on the topic.

Season 2 Articles

Emotional Learning & Reconsolidation

  • Panksepp’s three processes: primary, secondary, and tertiary 
    • Listen to Caleb’s explanation (timestamp)
  • To clarify, when we’re talking about emotional learning, we’re talking about the secondary processes in which we’re contorting our primary affects in our world to get our needs met. 
  • Bridger’s example of a child needing a snack (33:55)
  • Caleb explains the processes through the three selves (35:48)
  • Missed that episode? Listen to it here

Depression is survival positive.

  • We tend to focus on the tertiary process of belief while ignoring the first two processes that inform ruminative depression.
  • Note, internal working models are created through emotional learning.
  • Further, the more emotionally charged an experience is, the more robust those internal working models are going to be.
  • Though this can cause lots of problems later in life, they serve a very important purpose when they’re created.

Memory Reconsolidation 

  • 1989

    • Discovered the consolidation process
    • First, the parts of a memory are brought together and held.
    • Then, a neurobiologically process of consolidation occurs.
    • Once it’s consolidated, it’s locked in your brain. 
    • Extinction creates a new consolidated learning network.
    • Consequently, this new network competes with the original network.
    • Symptom relapse is common because there’s no actual extinction.
    • Rather, there’s a prioritization of a new memory.   

  • 1997 – 2000

    • The idea of reconsolidation emerged.
    • The potential benefits of activating the emotional learning network became evident.
    • Through this activation, there’s destabilization.
    • At this point, the network becomes deconsolidated and therefore is temporarily open for new influences.
    • However, activation alone cannot alter the memory network.
    • Rather, you have to pair that activation with a mismatched experience.
    • This allows the integration of the new experience.
    • When that happens, there’s a relocking through long-term potentiation.

Activating a Memory for Reconsolidation

  • Remember, the symptom is not the thing you work on.
  • Importantly, you have to access emotional learning.
  • To clarify, it’s important not to get caught up in the logical story.
  • Certainly, listen to Melissa’s process of finding the emotional learning (1:10:28).
  • 3 signs of reconsolidation: nonreactivation, symptom cessation, and effortless permanence.

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Did you know?  After full completion of Beyond Healing Institute’s Somatic Integration and Processing training, each participant can receive 21 NBCC hours. 

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Credits 

  • Executive Directors: Jennifer and Ryan Savage, Melissa Bentinnedi, Bridger Falkenstein
  • Hosts: Caleb Boston, Melissa Benintendi, and Bridger Falkenstein
  • Producer: Bridger Falkenstein
  • Editor: Jamie Eggert
  • Original Music Composers: Bridger Falkenstein and Caleb Boston

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