1

Physiology & Medicine / Re: How to increase intracellular dopamine levels?

« on: 13/11/2017 02:08:19 »

I would like to experimentally increase my dopamine levels which may have been downregulated by the unwarranted use of dopamine antagonists for 5+ years. The primary side-effect I experiment from this forced treatment is the suppression of dopamined-mediated REM sleep.

I'll preface this with a cautionary note:

Tread lightly when altering dopamine synthesis. You just might end up making the problem worse.

Chronic dopamine precursor-administration ultimately depletes dopamine levels. When the dopamine levels drop low enough, the precursor then becomes ineffective and the side effects of dopamine depletion arise.
 
Exogenously-induced dopamine-depletion can occur when one chronically administered precursor [e.g. 5-HTP] dominates the synthesis of dopamine through competitive inhibition. This will ultimately alter the dopaminergic control of sleep-wake parameters - thus suppressing the SWS & REM stages of sleep.

Nontheless, Mucuna pruriens is extremely effective as it contains high concentrations of levodopa [which is a direct precursor of dopamine] however with prolonged use, I would suggest adding 5-HTP to counteract tyrosine-mediated serotonin-depletion, but it might be a better idea to just keep the experiment short & sweet.

Additionally, I would suggest adding epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), as it will inhibit the peripheral clearance of dopamine by Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), which in turn increases levodopa's entry into the brain and subsequent conversion to dopamine.

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2

Physiology & Medicine / Re: How to convince my psychiatrist to stop antipsychotic treatments?

« on: 30/09/2017 10:19:37 »

There is some evidence that cannabis use may contribute to development of schizophrenia.

Directly from your link: "The authors found that cannabis use alone does not predict the transition to subsequent psychiatric illness."

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3

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is it safe to exercise while using nicotine patches?

« on: 29/08/2017 15:57:04 »

Yes, it's safe [provided you are not presently severely hypertensive] and nicotine is ergogenic. In terms of nicotine and elevated BP - although it's a pressor from an acute standpoint... in the context of regular exercise the overall net effect will be decreased BP, and the nicotine should serve to enhance lipolysis & increase blood flow.

Once in the bloodstream, nicotine is quickly (within seconds) delivered to the brain, where it interacts with neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). It is metabolized by the liver cytochrome P450 enzyme system and has a half-life of approximately 2 hours [78]. Upon binding of ACh or its exogenous ligand nicotine, the ion channel is opened and causes an influx of sodium and calcium (Ca2+). This local increase in intracellular Ca2+ can alter cellular functions [79]. A mechanism termed Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release can further boost intracellular calcium upon activation of nAChR [80]. In

In numerous pathways, Ca2+ acts as an intracellular messenger, setting the stage for nAChRs as potent candidates to influence a variety of Ca2+-dependent neuronal processes, such as neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity or gene transcription.

Nicotine activates the sympathoadrenal system, which leads to increased heart rate, contractility, vasoconstriction and a rise in blood pressure and the level of circulating catecholamines during light exercise [85]. Nicotine also increases muscle blood flow [86] and lipolysis due to enhanced circulating levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine as well as direct action on nicotinic cholinergic receptors in adipose tissue [87]. The effects exerted by nicotine may be beneficial in a wide variety of sports and it is suggested that nicotine is abused by athletes [83].

The effects of caffeine, nicotine, ethanol, and tetrahydrocannabinol on exercise performance. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2013; 10: 71. Published online 2013 Dec 13. doi:  10.1186/1743-7075-10-71
PMCID: PMC3878772

4

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia a punitive treatment?

« on: 26/08/2017 12:56:44 »

you should ask your girlfriend if she would like an electrochemical lobotomy to clinically improve her mood swings.

lol

That was an excellent comment.

It really added to the integrity of this wonderful thread.

Carry on.

5

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia a punitive treatment?

« on: 24/08/2017 13:37:04 »

I'm interested to understand the rationale of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for schizophrenia.

It's primarily an option that follows an inadequate response to antipsychotic medications in patients with catatonic schizophrenia.

The literature does demonstrate some degree of efficacy, but the risks are definitely well-established.

6

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Can chemotherapy cause cancer?

« on: 12/08/2017 01:03:52 »

There's plenty of alternative medical options to chemotherapy being discarded by doctors.

No.

Research about the anti-cancer properties of curcumin and green tea for example.

You are confusing the results of in-vitro and/or animal research with human first-line treatment.

Here's what you'll end up with in terms of any peer-reviewed data suggesting that curcumin or green tea can be used as a first-line anti-oncogenic:

* nothing *

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7

Physiology & Medicine / Re: How does fructose malabsorption develop, and is it reversible?

« on: 23/04/2017 12:01:37 »

There seem to be very many unknowns still. There are different hypotheses about what exactly causes a malabsorbtion in fructose. Either the GLUT5 transporters are not working propperly or there are just to few. Maybe the exchange of signals that trigger the expression of mRNA and subsequently the production of GLUT-proteins is disordered. Or maybe it is something else. Maybe a combination of causes. People seem to work on this question but do not have a conclusive answer yet.

Sounds like you need to do more research.

Rab11a are GTPases which are key regulators of intracellular membrane trafficking. The literature suggests there is a dysfunction in Rab11a dynamics following GLUT5 transporter saturation - this downregulation of Rab11a recycling in intestinal epithelia alters GLUT5 trafficking to the apical membrane, which reduces mRNA expression of GLUT5 as well as it's baseline activity.

Any questions?

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8

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is cannabis addictive?

« on: 21/12/2016 23:00:50 »

a biochemical mimetic:
- Is not determined on whether it has the same chemical formula as a natural chemical, but whether it binds to the same biological receptor.
- Does not necessarily bind with the same strength as the natural chemical; it may bind more strongly (for example) and tie up the receptor

So if an external mimetic binds more strongly to the receptor than the natural chemical, it could "lock up" the receptor.

That would be exclusive to a full and/or synthetic CB receptor agonist. Plant-derived endocannabinoid mimetics are merely partial CB receptor agonists with low micromolar range affinity, thus circumventing the receptor dynamics in which you were describing.

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9

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is cannabis addictive?

« on: 19/12/2016 11:40:41 »

if you suddenly reduce your external input, it takes a while for the body to resume normal production; in the meantime, the body suffers the biochemical imbalance of withdrawal symptoms from an addictive substance.

No.

Unless you're referring to adolescence.... cannabis use is not associated with striatal DA alterations.

"This is the first report to evaluate both D2/3 receptor availability and striatal DA release capacity in chronic cannabis dependent participants compared to matched controls. Unlike other addictions, such as to alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine [22], chronic cannabis abuse or dependence is not associated with alterations in either of these indices. We therefore confirm the absence of alterations in D2/3 receptors previously reported [37] in a larger cohort"

Biol Psychiatry. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2013
Published in final edited form as:
Biol Psychiatry. 2012 Apr 15; 71(: 677–683.
Published online 2012 Jan 29. doi:  10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.12.018
PMCID: PMC3314125
NIHMSID: NIHMS346717
Dopamine release in chronic cannabis users: a [11C]raclopride Positron Emission Tomography study

10

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is cannabis addictive?

« on: 16/12/2016 11:38:28 »

Excessive use of marijuana can cause severe mental illness.

Now let's see the body of scientific evidence that would support such a notion?

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Physiology & Medicine / Re: Why do some dead bodies not decay?

« on: 11/12/2016 21:01:35 »

Is there any scientific explanation as to why some bodies - usually saints - show no signs of decomposition when exhumed after many years? (eg St Cuthbert)

The very fact that they were saints means that special care was taken to preserve them.

Dig up the guy next to the saint, and I'd be willing to bet there'd be nothing but bones.

"The Catholic belief of “incorruptibility” holds that if a body does not decay after death, the person is holy. It takes two miracles to become a saint; the Church once allowed a perfect corpse to count as one."

http://nypost.com/2014/03/22/making-of-a-saint-the-vaticans-quest-to-preserve-its-leaders/

12

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is anxiety causing hypertension?

« on: 01/12/2016 18:23:18 »

Until 29/07/2014 the figure chosen in the UK was 160/100

That is disgusting - my condolences.

The risk of stroke drops exponentially by maintaining a BP below 140 over 90 mm hg

13

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is anxiety causing hypertension?

« on: 01/12/2016 16:08:10 »

Chronic stress is certainly linked to hypertension and is pathological.

Really? 

So chronic stress = sustained elevations in BP = hypertension???

Cite your references, because last I checked.... we all experience it, and we certainly don't all have hypertension.

It's interindividual psychosocial abnormalities in the presence of chronic stress that causes sustained alterations in BP dynamics.

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14

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is beta-carotene a cytoprotective agent ?

« on: 28/10/2016 14:15:32 »

Research on beta-carotene effects on lung cancer is conflicting. Is beta-carotene a cytoprotective agent against tobacco-induced lung damage? Is it bad to take high doses of beta-carotene for a smoker ?

While the combination of smoke & beta-carotene generates oxidative byproducts such as beta-carotene epoxides, 4-nitro-beta-carotene & beta-apo-carotenals in human bronchial epithelial cell-lines, the preferential oxidation of beta-carotene does not lead to prooxidant effects [Arora et al 2001].

Also worth noting, the "conflicting effects" that you mentioned involve 2 human studies which haven't been duplicated that I know of.

Nonetheless, beta-carotene doesn't need to be supplemented as there's plenty in the diet, but to answer your question.... yes, taking large doses of any antioxidant carries the potential to shift the antioxidant- prooxidant balance toward a prooxidant status.

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15

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Does hydrogen infused water have any health benefits?

« on: 16/10/2016 11:18:20 »

Does hydrogen infused water have any health benefits?

Marginal at best.

Is it a cure-all? = Definitely not

Are the benefits worth paying for? = Definitely not

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16

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is reactive microgliosis a beneficial or harmful process?

« on: 02/10/2016 17:02:55 »

Does chronic activation of the microglia by air pollution and particulate matter is harmful (neurotoxic) or beneficial (neurotrophic) to dopaminergic neurons?

*harmful*

Reactive microgliosis is the microglial response to neuron damage. Chronic evironmental toxin exposure [provided there is sufficient exposure] would initiate a pro-neuroinflammatory response.

In short, this includes the alteration of microglial homeostasis and the resultant dysmorphic microglia patterns - thus adversely affecting the microenvironment of dopaminergic neurons.

17

That CAN'T be true! / Re: Do viruses exist?

« on: 18/09/2016 13:18:18 »

Looks like all natural cells to me. I don't see any viruses?

Suddenly I'm reminded of a Farrelly brothers movie.....

18

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Re: Can ear wax kill viruses?

« on: 12/09/2016 14:33:48 »

Is earwax a body"fluid/substance" it can be found in?  (Like saliva, sweat, blood)

No....


Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015 Apr;34(4):789-93. doi: 10.1007/s10096-014-2292-7. Epub 2014 Dec 6.
Does cerumen have a risk for transmission of HIV?
Hanege FM1, Kalcioglu MT, Sargin F, Cetinkaya Z, Tekin M, Vahaboglu H.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is mainly transmitted via sexual activity, mother-to-child transmission, and contact with body fluids, such as saliva and semen. Cerumen, however, has not been investigated for its capability to transmit HIV. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of cerumen for transmission of HIV infection. This study was conducted among 42 treatment-naive HIV-infected patients with positive HIV RNA and 27 HIV-infected patients with negative HIV RNA receiving antiviral treatment. Simultaneous blood samples were studied as positive controls. Sixty-nine prospectively collected cerumen specimens were analyzed for the presence of HIV RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). None of the 69 cerumen specimens were positive for HIV RNA. These results conclude that cerumen in HIV-positive patients with or without antiretroviral therapy (ART) carry only an insignificant risk of transmission. However, standard infection control precautions should be applied carefully in all examinations and surgical operations of the ears.

PMID: 25480431

19

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Re: What is the effect of disinfectant on HIV?

« on: 02/09/2016 01:13:58 »

Yup.....I am just trying to find out if using  a disinfectant is a waste of cleaner and time after a period of time....like a day or so?  Does it do anymore to the environmentally already inactive virus.

Your student is just wasting disinfectant....

"using a disinfectant after that few-hour timeframe would serve little purpose"

"Once it's inactivated via environmental and/or external degradation.... there is no reactivating. Period."

20

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Re: What is the effect of disinfectant on HIV?

« on: 01/09/2016 12:29:40 »

This picture is obviously not a virus. Note - - Electron microscopes can only see black and white, so where did all that colour come from? lol! Nice try though!

Color enhanced Transmission Electron Micrograph..... I guess you didn't get the memo.

So how about them unicorns?