There's a good chance you hallucinated this week without ever knowing it

Inverse ^ | October 11, 2019 | By Jack Barton on

[BenLurkin]

In the 1950s, researchers stumbled upon a new class of drugs that provided relief for those suffering from schizophrenia. These drugs were known as antipsychotics and, as the name suggests, they reduced symptoms like hallucinations and delusions — primarily by reducing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This led clinicians and scientists to argue that dopamine was linked to the experiences of psychotic symptoms, and a concerted research effort ensued, seeking to solve the puzzle of why excess dopamine might produce hallucinations.

Although it was later shown that increasing dopamine could produce hallucinations, establishing a consistent link between them, it has not been clear why.

They achieved this by taking advantage of a simple fact: Your brain is lazy. It makes shortcuts to understand the deluge of information that bombards it daily. If you’re presented with consistent information, consistently, your brain adjust its expectations of reality in turn. This is the basis of Bayesian theories of how we perceive the world – that is, the brain makes inferences about the world around us based on statistics and probabilities on what is likely to occur.

[I]ncreasing dopamine made it more difficult for participants to adjust their perception — an effect comparable to how the hallucinators had struggled. Moreover, the extent to which participants struggled was strongly associated with the severity of hallucinations — but not with any diagnosis of schizophrenia. In other words, the difficulty appeared to be associated with a symptom, not a diagnosis.

Using brain imaging, the researchers also showed that an increased capacity for dopamine release, from a part of the brain known as the striatum (an area involved in schizophrenia), was associated with the severity of hallucinations. Together, these experiments showed that excess dopamine was associated with difficulty in accurately predicting reality.

[Monkey Face]

I always wanted a Volvo, but could never afford one. I hope it gives Tom at least two years of service. If he takes care of it, it will.

[Monkey Face]

I don’t recall what my first car was, just that I’m lucky to be alive because the salesman was after money. I’m surprised my son and I both survived it.

[null and void]

https://www.yogajoes.com

[ArGee]

Regarding how long it provides service:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho5XhqgoMEs&t=234s

[null and void]

My first car was a Pontiac Sunbird (tiny Firebird).

Mine was a Peugeot 404. It gave me an understanding of why so many French cars are burned in a riot.

[Tax-chick]

My friend from the Dominican Republic just brought me a flan. It’s beautiful. I’ll share it with Tom the Son before offering any to less-discerning brothers.

[ArGee]

Enjoy your flan. It’s never been one of my favorites but I’m happy you like yours.

[Monkey Face]

I’m glad you like flan, because then you can have my share. I know some people adore the stuff but I had some when I lived in Del Rio and I just didn’t care for it.

It made me think of some of the desserts I ran across in Germany. America uses far more sugar in their desserts than any other country. I had to dial down my taste buds while I was over there.

[Tax-chick]

I don’t like flan in general, but I liked the flan Mrs. Deacon Rafael made, and she’s from Puerto Rico, which is near the D.R., so maybe I’ll like Mariah’s flan, too.

[Tax-chick]

The flan was good.

[null and void]

Excellent!

[NicknamedBob]

[Darksheare]

Merry Christmas

[Monkey Face]

MERRY CHRISTMAS, UNDEADERS!!!

May your day be filled with opportunities to remember the Reason for the Season!

:o]

‘Face

[no-to-illegals]

Merry Christmas !!! And may the New Year have nothing but Happy for each and all.

[glock rocks]

Merry Christmas ‘Face and all y’all.

[airborne]

Merry Christmas to one and all!

[Tax-chick]

[Tax-chick]

Merry Christmas, ‘Face and all the ships at sea! All is quiet in these parts, except for something large lumbering down the stairs. I think it’s Frank.

Bill is asleep on the sofa, although we offered him a bed.

[Chickensoup]

Merry Christmas TC