Posted on 06/04/2010 9:01:42 AM PDT by JoeProBono
Snails on speed don't get speedier—but their supercharged brains do learn better and make memories that last much longer, a new study says.
Scientists gave pond snails the amphetamine crystal meth to explore the memory-related brain processes that get humans so hooked on the drug.
Human meth users experience sensations of happiness and high self-esteem that help make the drug extremely addictive. Scientists suspect that such cravings may be tied to powerful "pathological memories" that make such highs difficult to forget.
"We were not trying to addict the snails," said study co-author Barbara Sorg, a biochemist at Washington State University in Pullman. "We were trying to see how meth might create a better memory in the very early stages of the brain process."
Drugged Snails Remember Irritation
Pond snails don't have the memory skills of more complex creatures, but they can recall experiences and learn from them.
During the experiment, Sorg and colleagues put aquatic snails in tanks, some of which contained meth-laced water, and some that that contained regular water. As aquatic creatures, the snails breathe mostly through their skins, but will extend air tubes above the water's surface when oxygen is scarce.
Low-oxygen levels in the water caused the snails to extend their tubes. The researchers poked the tubes with sticks, irritating the animals, thus training them not to extend their tubes.
Snails not exposed to meth seemed to retain long-term memories of the "training" for only a few hours, at which point they would start raising their tubes again.
But snails exposed to meth recalled the poking more than 24 hours later and kept their tubes closed.
The concept of snails on meth is funny all by itself.
Escar-gone
I know people who used meth for long periods and their memories are shot. Of course, they are people and not snails.
Sure lady. We know you are just trying to make fun of druggies.
Sorta like matter & anti-matter isn't it?
The snails became paranoid about the popos.
Jumbo Shrimp.
Yabbut, now they are on par with smart pond snails!
Meth=Misery for all nearby, imho.
Does it matter? ;-)
Does it make the snails’ teeth fall out?
LOL!
They don’t go faster? Bummer. I have this mental image of the Cuban snail race from the Guinness commercial.
Yeah that was my thought. These scientists are ASSUMING this is a memory reaction not a paranoid reaction.
People on meth have no teeth and barely any memory at all.
Washington State University playing around with snails and meth. Glad to see WSU’s student’s parents money going to good use.
Absolutely. Probably the worst drug ever invented.
Scientist seem to have too much time on their hands these days.
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