Health

Tripping Fish Reveal How Psychedelics Work

Published

4 months ago

July 17, 2024

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Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a method using zebrafish to study the effects of psychedelics. These tripping fish gave us insights into how these substances influence the brain and behavior, potentially leading to improved treatments for depression and anxiety.

Unveiling the Mechanisms of Psychedelics through Tripping Fish

Introduction to the Study

Scientists at the W eizmann Institute of Science are using zebrafish to explore how psychedelics like psilocybin affect brain function and behavior. This research aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better psychiatric treatments.

Methodology and Techniques

The team, led by Dr. Takashi Kawashima, combines optical microscopy, image analysis, and artificial intelligence to observe the effects of psychedelics on zebrafish. The transparency of zebrafish larvae allows researchers to monitor neural activity and behavior in real-time.

Key Findings

The study found that zebrafish exposed to psilocybin exhibited reduced stress responses and increased exploratory behavior. These effects are linked to specific neural activation patterns, providing insights into how psychedelics influence serotonin-related brain functions.

From the research: “Psychedelics affect serotonin receptors much faster than common antidepressants and appear to act in a more targeted manner”

Potential Therapeutic Applications

Understanding how psychedelics target serotonin receptors can inform the development of new treatments for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mood-related disorders. This research supports the potential for psychedelics to act faster and more precisely than traditional antidepressants.

Why This Is Important

This research demonstrates a novel approach to studying psychedelics, potentially leading to safer and more effective psychiatric treatments. It also underscores the importance of exploring non-human models to gain deeper insights into complex brain functions.

Possible Implications

New Drug Development: Identification of new compounds targeting serotonin receptors.
Enhanced Therapies: Improved treatments for mood disorders with fewer side effects.
Regulatory Advances: Increased support for psychedelic research and therapeutic use.
Scientific Understanding: Greater knowledge of brain chemistry and neural pathways.

What to Follow

Clinical Trials: Upcoming studies on the therapeutic use of psychedelics.
Regulatory Changes: Shifts in policies supporting psychedelic research.
Technological Advances: Innovations in imaging and AI for neuroscience.

Tripping Fish and Psychedelics – Conclusion

The Weizmann Institute’s use of zebrafish to study psychedelics provides valuable insights into their effects on the brain. This research could pave the way for new psychiatric treatments, offering hope for those with treatment-resistant conditions.

Source: Weizmann Institute of Science

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agriculture

CDC calls for expanded bird flu testing after more dairy worker infections found in Colorado and Michigan

Published

2 weeks ago

November 8, 2024

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Federal health officials on Thursday called for more testing of employees on farms with bird flu after a new study showed that some dairy workers had signs of infection, even when they didn’t report feeling sick.

Farmworkers in close contact with infected animals should be tested and offered treatment even if they show no symptoms, said Dr. Nirav Shah, principal director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The new guidance comes after blood tests for 115 farmworkers in Michigan and Colorado showed that eight workers — or 7% — had antibodies that indicated previous infection with the virus known as Type A H5N1 influenza.

Read the rest of this story on TheKnow.DenverPost.com.

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apartments

Owner of troubled Aurora apartments faces state investigation related to conditions, consumer-protection laws

Published

3 weeks ago

November 2, 2024

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The owners of several dilapidated apartment buildings in Aurora and Denver have faced a new threat in recent months: an investigation by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office on suspicion of violating the state’s safe-housing and consumer-protection laws.

The state office sent subpoenas to CBZ Management, one of its primary representatives and several of its subordinate companies in September, according to records obtained by The Denver Post. The subpoenas seek answers and records related to a swath of CBZ’s practices, including how it advertises its properties and whether tenants get the apartments they have toured; how the companies track and respond to maintenance requests and health code violations; how they handle security deposits; and how they screen tenants, among other questions.

CBZ Management’s buildings in Aurora have been the subject of extensive tenant and municipal complaints and have recently drawn international attention over allegations the properties were overtaken by gangs.

Read the rest of this story on TheKnow.DenverPost.com.

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Apple

Apple AirPods Pro’s new hearing aid feature could help people face a problem they’d rather ignore

Published

3 weeks ago

November 2, 2024

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By DEVI SHASTRI, Associated Press

Some Apple AirPods wireless headphones can be used as hearing aids with a new software update available in October. It’s a high-profile move that experts applaud, even if they only reach a small portion of the millions of Americans with hearing loss.

An estimated 30 million people — 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 12 — have hearing loss in both ears. Millions would benefit from hearing aids but most have never tried them, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Countless others have tried them, but don’t use them because of cost, poor quality, poor fit, how they look or for other reasons.

Read the rest of this story on TheKnow.DenverPost.com.

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