University of Amsterdam researchers discovered that it only takes two minutes of spider exposure to cure arachnophobia. The said study was published in the Biological Psychiatry journal.

Like Us on Facebook

The study is based on the concept, "reconsolidation", developed by Dr. Joseph LeDoux 15 years ago which states when memories are activated, they can be weakened or strengthened.

The 45 participants involved in the study were divided into two groups. One group was given a placebo, while the other group was given a pharmacological treatment of propranolol, a beta blocker used to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure. The said treatments were given after the participants were exposed to tarantulas for two minutes.

Researchers found that administering propranolol immediately after exposure induced amnesia for the said learned phobia. Those who received propranolol showed a significant reduction in "avoidance behavior" and showed an increase in "approach behavior".

Results were said to have lasted for at least a year after the study.

Those involved with the study believe that this treatment could possibly be used to solve other anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders. Treatments for the said mental health issues usually involved multiple therapy sessions.

"The new treatment is more like surgery than therapy. Currently, patients with anxiety disorders and PTSD receive multiple sessions of cognitive behavioral treatment or daily drug intake with a gradual (and often temporary) decline of symptoms. The proposed revolutionary intervention involves one single, brief intervention that leads to a sudden, substantial and lasting loss of fear," said Dr. Merel Kindt, co-author of the study.

Tagsmental illness, mental health, Spider, Spiders, Arachnophobia, Mentally ill, university of amsterdam, phobia, spider phobia, fear of spiders, phobias