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Snails on Meth Have Sharper Memories
nationalgeographic ^ | June 3, 2010 | Brian Handwerk

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.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Gardening; Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: alfranken; gottapostapicture; henrywaxman; jojogunn; jpb; memory; meth; snails; troll
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To: proud American in Canada
My kids introduced me to that term some years ago and just now I looked up a possible derivation:

"POPO - A Police officer. especially the ones that rides on bikes. Orgin: California late 80's police officers that patrols certain beaches on bikes wore a vest that said PO in huge blockletters on each of their chest. which means Police Officer. they usually ride around in group of two's. when you see them coming by. you see the word "PO" "PO" when they stand next to each other.

Man.. here comes the PoPo to tell us what to do again."

Poke, Poke works too. ;-)

21 posted on 06/04/2010 9:16:06 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: JoeProBono
The strangest part

Is that someone somewhere got paid money

to feed Meth Amphetamine to Snails.

Well Hello, what did you do in your last job?

Me? Oh I fed Meth to snails...I was quite good at it. Do you have a need for that sort of thing? I can also feed Cocain to grasshoppers if you need that.

22 posted on 06/04/2010 9:16:30 AM PDT by 240B (he is doing everything he said he wouldn't and not doing what he said he would)
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To: taxcontrol
These scientists are ASSUMING this is a memory reaction not a paranoid reaction.

They need to consult a Snail Psychologist.

23 posted on 06/04/2010 9:16:40 AM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The Last Boy Scout)
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To: JoeProBono

So... either meth sharpens memory... or reduces it to something somewhat better than a snail?


24 posted on 06/04/2010 9:18:08 AM PDT by roamer_1 (Globalism is just Socialism in a business suit)
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To: JoeProBono

meth laced sanils? Could make for an interesting dining expeience

25 posted on 06/04/2010 9:19:47 AM PDT by llevrok (I am a stranger in the country I was born and raised.)
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To: cripplecreek
Escar-gone

HA!

26 posted on 06/04/2010 9:20:13 AM PDT by roamer_1 (Globalism is just Socialism in a business suit)
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To: JoeProBono
"Human meth users experience sensations of happiness and high self-esteem that help make the drug extremely addictive."

How interesting. Human esteem increases in direct proportion to brain damage - leading to cognitive challenges, poor judgment, sociopathic behavior, and disregard for the rule of law. Explains a lot about liberals.

27 posted on 06/04/2010 9:20:24 AM PDT by uncommonsense (Conservatives believe what they see; Liberals see what they believe.)
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To: JoeProBono

Are the taxpayers paying for this? I think these people need to get a life, and above all productive employment.


28 posted on 06/04/2010 9:21:11 AM PDT by Parmy
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To: taxcontrol

“Just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean the popos aren’t out to get you.”


29 posted on 06/04/2010 9:21:21 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: taxcontrol

Time to hunker in your bunker? ;-)


30 posted on 06/04/2010 9:22:46 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: JoJo Gunn

31 posted on 06/04/2010 9:30:46 AM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono
What do you call a snail on a ship?

a snailor

my 3 year old's first joke...and I bet I am not the only one

speed and nicotine too both sharpen the synapse...problem is overuse

stimulants have their place but they are easily abused by folks who like that....I never liked the upswing stuff

32 posted on 06/04/2010 9:34:05 AM PDT by wardaddy (No mosque at ground zero....are these NYers totally nuts?...what would wake them up?)
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To: Paladin2

That’s very interesting! I had always thought it was just a shortening of “police”.

Thanks for the info! :)


33 posted on 06/04/2010 9:38:06 AM PDT by proud American in Canada (my former tagline "We can, and we will prevail" doesn't fit with the usurper's goals.)
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To: JoeProBono
So, I guess the choice is:

Being occasionally forgetful.

An improved memory but I'll be toothless and look fifty years older than my true age.

34 posted on 06/04/2010 9:39:52 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: JoeProBono

Snails on Meth.

I think I finally found a good name for my band.


35 posted on 06/04/2010 9:40:43 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator
Snails On Meth Album Cover

36 posted on 06/04/2010 9:46:53 AM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono

Good News For Me...I have the memory of a snail


37 posted on 06/04/2010 10:13:43 AM PDT by PoloSec (Note to Princess B H Obama: May PISS be Upon Mohammads Head...You Pervert)
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To: JoeProBono

How high can escargot?


38 posted on 06/04/2010 10:18:18 AM PDT by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: JoeProBono

Smarter (dumber) than a pond snail.


39 posted on 06/04/2010 10:24:29 AM PDT by Louis Foxwell (He is the son of soulless slavers, not the son of soulful slaves.)
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To: count-your-change

40 posted on 06/04/2010 10:27:40 AM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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