C-Cab's recent activity
-
Comment on Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy in ~science
-
Comment on Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy in ~science
C-Cab Link ParentOne thing I want to open up on your response is the chemical imbalance hypothesis of depression. This idea has absolutely been the predominant view for the majority of psychiatry, but the biggest...One thing I want to open up on your response is the chemical imbalance hypothesis of depression. This idea has absolutely been the predominant view for the majority of psychiatry, but the biggest challenge to the chemical imbalance hypothesis is why is it that antidepressants take so long to work (and they do work, most antidepressants perform better than placebo, even if the effects are modest) despite entering the brain and affecting neurotransmitter levels in the synapse relatively quickly after absorption?
There have been several challenges to the chemical imbalance hypothesis, and one that has garnered a lot of attention over the past two decades has the been the neurogenic theory. This looks at the fact that adult neurogenesis is often attenuated in people with depression, and coincidentally many antidepressants seem to improve the growth factors that improve neurogenesis, but this takes time. Now, it's not the whole picture, but it does fit in nicely with the time course of many antidepressant treatmetns.
On the other hand, psychedelics and dissociatives go against that kind of grain because their therapeutics effects are seen relatively quickly. As you point out, we don't really understand why that's the case, but I suspect it's something it do with a wide-spread reset of brain activity as you mention. This would make sense with why electro-convulsive therapy is also effective with treatment-resistant depression.
-
Comment on Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy in ~science
C-Cab Link ParentIt's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that such entities could exist, but assuming their existence based off a chemically induced trip is not grounded in any sort of scientific rigor....It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that such entities could exist, but assuming their existence based off a chemically induced trip is not grounded in any sort of scientific rigor. Personally, I lean much more towards the idea that these shared experiences people have are because of the highly stereotyped organization of the human brain.
-
Comment on Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy in ~science
C-Cab (edited )Link ParentI am admittedly pretty turned off from the very spiritual, woo-woo side of psychedelics. In particular, I have encountered many people that lean so heavily into that realm that it comes off as...I am admittedly pretty turned off from the very spiritual, woo-woo side of psychedelics. In particular, I have encountered many people that lean so heavily into that realm that it comes off as pretentious and misguided. I am speaking from experience with breaking through where I completely lost my ego and was full on hallucinating, but I have never attributed it to another entity. The first time I broke through it really was breath-taking what I saw. However, I've always been acutely aware that these things are happening because I am taking a physical chemical.
On a related note, I'm not sure if you're big into film, especially films that can be challenging to watch, but Enter The Void has a great depiction of a DMT trip early in the film and is a really good exploration of spirituality, psychedelics, and human connection.
-
Comment on Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy in ~science
C-Cab (edited )Link ParentSo to answer your first question - there have been studies about trying to target brain regions we know are implicated in different disorders, such as depression. For instance, magnetic field...So to answer your first question - there have been studies about trying to target brain regions we know are implicated in different disorders, such as depression. For instance, magnetic field stimulation may be a promising therapy for treatment-resistant depression. I have not read any articles specifically to psychedelics, but I will admit that the field of non-invasive neural stimulation is one I've not dived too deeply into.
For your other question: I imagine a big issue as to why this may not have more wide-spread coverage and research is that the effects for treating psychological disorders are fairly transient and need repeated use, like most pharmaceuticals. Ultimately, we don't really understand the root cause of many disorders (or really how a lot of the brain works, really), and so while this sort of "working backwards" might relieve symptoms, it isn't curing anyone of the disorder. Additionally, I can't speak to the cost of transcranial magnetic stimulation. I would guess it's not too expensive, but it could be something that hasn't quite reached its peak yet in terms of cost effectiveness.
-
Comment on Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy in ~science
C-Cab LinkFood for thought: They mention applications of this research to understand how other drugs might impact cognition. I'm wondering if you could use something like transcranial magnetic stimulation...Food for thought: They mention applications of this research to understand how other drugs might impact cognition. I'm wondering if you could use something like transcranial magnetic stimulation to induce a psychedelic state. You would need to have an array as opposed to targeting a single brain region, but it seems like you could get the fun out of psychedelics without the physiological side-effects.
-
Comment on Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy in ~science
C-Cab LinkThe first paragraph sums up the article nicely:The first paragraph sums up the article nicely:
A new study published in Communications Biology sheds light on how the psychedelic compound DMT changes the brain’s dynamic behavior. Researchers found that DMT reduces the amount of energy the brain needs to switch between different activity states. This reduction in control energy was linked to increased complexity in brain signals and to how intense the psychedelic experience felt to participants. The effects were strongest in brain regions rich in serotonin 2a receptors, which are known to play a key role in the effects of psychedelics.
-
Scientists reveal how DMT alters brain activity and consciousness by lowering control energy
23 votes -
Comment on What is a misconception you are passionate about and would like to clarify? in ~talk
C-Cab Link ParentAh, I never thought to look into the long-term effects of type 2 - I did not know that! It makes sense that the high glucose signal coming into the pancreas would further promote insulin...Ah, I never thought to look into the long-term effects of type 2 - I did not know that! It makes sense that the high glucose signal coming into the pancreas would further promote insulin production, because the pancreas doesn't know anything is wrong. I'm curious now what happens to the organ that would result in an overall decrease in insulin. I'll have to do some reading once I finish up this semester.
-
Comment on What is a misconception you are passionate about and would like to clarify? in ~talk
C-Cab Link ParentType 1 diabetes, as pointed out by Mendanbar, is a deficiency of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is typically characterized as an insensitivity to insulin - the body is still producing it but for...Type 1 diabetes, as pointed out by Mendanbar, is a deficiency of insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is typically characterized as an insensitivity to insulin - the body is still producing it but for whatever reason, cells don't respond to insulin as they should. Last I read, the primary hypothesis is that the insulin receptors on cells don't properly match up internally when insulin binds, which impairs the ability for cells to take in glucose. Symptom-wise, this would look similar to type 1 diabetes.
-
Comment on I think I don’t like Pokémon anymore in ~games
C-Cab (edited )Link ParentThe sanity system was so much fun and very surprising for teenage me! And I loved how the story unfolded.The sanity system was so much fun and very surprising for teenage me! And I loved how the story unfolded.
-
Comment on I think I don’t like Pokémon anymore in ~games
C-Cab (edited )Link ParentYes, Tales of Symphonia is an RPG, and I loved it. It's not turn-based like the old Final Fantasy games - the combat is dynamic and you can pick from a range of characters to play as well based on...Yes, Tales of Symphonia is an RPG, and I loved it. It's not turn-based like the old Final Fantasy games - the combat is dynamic and you can pick from a range of characters to play as well based on the fighting style you prefer.
The story is really well done. It has some similar themes to some Final Fantasy games but also some really unique beats that make it lots of fun to play. I was fairly invested initially and then it takes a few big twists that really up the ante and pull you deeper into the story. Well worth playing, in my opinion.
-
Comment on I think I don’t like Pokémon anymore in ~games
C-Cab (edited )LinkIn terms of Gamecube games, you've already played a lot of the good ones. I have a few extra recommendations if you can get your hands on them. My tastes in games sometimes might dip into the...In terms of Gamecube games, you've already played a lot of the good ones. I have a few extra recommendations if you can get your hands on them. My tastes in games sometimes might dip into the esoteric and weird, so keep that in mind with some of these, but I think the majority of these stand up to time. Also, these are in no particular order, just as they popped into my head.
Pikmin 2 (in my opinion, way better than the first Pikmin. There's no maximum time limit so you're free to explore at a leisurely pace)
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
Beyond Good And Evil
Timesplitters: Future Perfect
Chibi-Robo!
Tales Of Symphonia
Viewtiful joe
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
Billy Hatcher And The Giant Egg
Killer 7 (very weird rail shooter, but if you like out there stuff I highly recommend)
Prince of Persia: Sands Of Time
Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
Super Monkey Ball 2
Mortal Kombat: Deception (has a substantial story mode and the fighting gameplay is the most fun I've had in a Mortal Kombat game)
Alien Hominid
Geist
WarioWare, Inc.
XIII
Cubivore (Very hard to find physical copy)
Wario World
I-NinjaBeyond that, the Gamecube had a lot of shovelware games. Most of anything that was based on another intellectual property (e.g. Scooby Doo, James Bond) just did not measure up. If you have any questions about these particular games let me know and I'd be happy to answer.
-
Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
C-Cab LinkI binged Moonrise this past weekend. Overall I enjoyed the storytelling and animation. It's a very adult-themed anime that tackles some tough questions and Grey areas. My only complaint was that...I binged Moonrise this past weekend. Overall I enjoyed the storytelling and animation. It's a very adult-themed anime that tackles some tough questions and Grey areas. My only complaint was that the last few episodes felt a bit rushed and some of the time jumping made it feel disjointed. I think they could've done things more linearly for most of the show and it would have been better. But beyond that, worth the watch.
-
Comment on How does cardiac arrhythmia occur? in ~science
C-Cab LinkI wish I had this when I was teaching human physiology! This is great.I wish I had this when I was teaching human physiology! This is great.
-
Comment on RNA motifs coming into focus in ~science
C-Cab LinkFood for thought: We're getting into better resolution breakthroughs in molecular biology which could provide insight into biochemical reactions. I remember about a year and a half ago reading an...Food for thought: We're getting into better resolution breakthroughs in molecular biology which could provide insight into biochemical reactions. I remember about a year and a half ago reading an interesting paper on stress granules and how this could be a major target for disease therapeutics. I'm curious now how ribozymes might be interacting with these.
-
RNA motifs coming into focus
8 votes -
Comment on An engineer says he’s found a way to overcome Earth’s gravity in ~space
C-Cab Link ParentI certainly felt a little silly at first seeing a lot of the dismissive comments towards the article. But, I shared it because I was curious about a topic I knew little about and wanted to hear...I certainly felt a little silly at first seeing a lot of the dismissive comments towards the article. But, I shared it because I was curious about a topic I knew little about and wanted to hear some other opinions, so as long as no one was calling me directly a dumb ass I felt OK about it and didn't take it as a personal attack.
I have certainly read pop articles in my field that I was scoffing at, and I will sometimes be dismissive when talking about them with colleagues. Although I do admit when I'm discussing those with people I don't know I try to avoid being dismissive and critique it in a light-hearted tone to minimize the chance I elicit those feelings you mentioned. I don't want to quash anyone's curiosity and excitement.
-
Comment on An engineer says he’s found a way to overcome Earth’s gravity in ~space
C-Cab Link ParentI'm not well-qualified to evaluate this - what makes this pseudoscience? Just the fact that there hasn't been any formalized evidence presented? I know electrostatic fields can move objects so it...I'm not well-qualified to evaluate this - what makes this pseudoscience? Just the fact that there hasn't been any formalized evidence presented? I know electrostatic fields can move objects so it seems like it could be possible, albeit maybe not practical to move something as massive as a craft.
-
Comment on An engineer says he’s found a way to overcome Earth’s gravity in ~space
C-Cab Link ParentAm not too familiar with this magazine, but I guess I should have been keyed in on the "popular" part that it's a very basic layman's perspective on a a subject.Am not too familiar with this magazine, but I guess I should have been keyed in on the "popular" part that it's a very basic layman's perspective on a a subject.
To add onto what Carrie mentioned, it's not really clear that the effects of psychedelics are permanent, at least when it comes to depression. It does seem to produce some pretty long-lasting effects on personality, which is quite profound because otherwise most people's personalities do not change that easily. When it comes to depression though, there is good evidence that single doses of psychedelics can improve depressive symptoms compared to placebo but from what I've read a good chunk of people still have relapse at some point.
Which segues into my next point. babypuncher already touched on this, but the majority of therapies for depression are about managing the symptoms and do not treat the root cause. We don't really understand how depression happens, and we have some good ideas that can explain some instances of it, but not all. I'm of the firm belief that for the majority of people the stressors of their material conditions play a huge role in the likelihood of them developing depression, so you can throw as many interventions as you want at a patient, pharmaceutical and behavioral, but if they can't fix those root issues then the depression will constantly need to be managed.