MIT neuroscientists have shown that they can cure the symptoms of depression in mice by artificially reactivating happy memories that were formed before the onset of anxiety and depression.A 2018 study from a group of U.K. researchers found that training people to recall happy memories led to a significant drop in depression scores.Memories of happy experiences — especially ones that involve social interaction — seem to benefit people because they reshape how we see ourselves for the better.All this research suggests that a happy, mentally healthy brain is one that regularly recalls moments that inspire positivity and feelings of gratitude. Especially during times of stress or sadness, redirecting one’s thoughts to better times or memories of gratifying experiences may prove to be a powerful safeguard against anxiety and depression.