Striking new research proposes taking a common anti-inflammatory drug soon after experiencing a traumatic event could help people forget upsetting memories and reduce their risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Persistent distressing, involuntary or ‘intrusive’ memories are a core feature of PTSD,” explained lead author on the new study Vanessa Hennessy. “Unlike other psychological disorders, the onset of PTSD caused by a single trauma can reliably be traced back to the occurrence of a specific, often life-threatening event that generates long-lasting intrusive memories.”