I wanna get reincarnated at this lab
The University of Utah has a pretty neat site called learn.genetics, which breaks complicated ideas down into moron-sized bites using podcasts and colorful Flash animations. I love the internet.
I particularly recommend the module on addiction. There you can explore drugs of abuse and examine a variety of stoned mice without having to cut them up or anything.
I don’t mean to ruin the suspense or nothing, but it seems to me from cursory examination that all high-inducing substances work by fiddling your dopamine somehow (except LSD, which works via leathery, batwinged, brain-squeezin’ imps). I guess they feel different because they do kind of the same thing in different areas of the brain.
And if you read it all the way through, you’ll find neat tips for making your highs higher and more long-lasting.
I feel sure.
Posted: July 14th, 2008 under animals, booze, science.
Comments: 12
Comments
Comment from Allen
Time: July 14, 2008, 3:50 pm
Is it just me or did the soundtrack for the mouse lab sound just like the “Jaunty Balls” one?
I read about a study once where mice could get coke delivered right to their brains by pushing a little lever. Even when they were standing on an electrical grid that would zap them every time they hit the lever they still went for the cocaine.
Knottsberry Farm run wild.
Comment from Scubafreak
Time: July 14, 2008, 4:11 pm
I don’t know why, but an image of cartoon mice smoking blunts and grinding to “Me so horny” popped into my head.
It was almost as disturbing as those dead rat quizno’s commercials………
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: July 14, 2008, 4:25 pm
I thought it sounded like porn music (which wasn’t especially nice, either). Particularly with that jive dance thing the Ecstacy mouse is doing there.
Comment from BGG
Time: July 14, 2008, 5:43 pm
That’s a great site. And I like how it just THROWS the mouse back in the cage when you’re done. Blam.
Yep, our brains are just bags of chemicals. We’ve got receptors for oodles of things that just need a wee tweak to make you feel aaaaaalllrriiiiiiiiiggghht. Along with dopamine receptors, we’ve got 5-HT receptors, GABA (A) receptors, opioid receptors, and more. Nature just couldn’t provide enough ways to take the edge off, it seems.
Comment from Scubafreak
Time: July 14, 2008, 6:27 pm
Well, sex will always be the best option for releiving stress, pain and bad moods.
Hmm, maybe that’s why I am such a grumpy bastard all the time……..
Comment from Amy Winehouse
Time: July 14, 2008, 8:23 pm
Yeah! Yeah! A-wooooooooooo-ahahahahahaha!
I feel sick.
Comment from Allen
Time: July 14, 2008, 9:56 pm
Hmmm, so I searched for “crack mice,” please don’t ask me why. It’s a mystery to me how these strange search compulsions come up.
Here’s a game you can play associated with that search term.
http://www.crackmuffin.com/html/Mice-Party.html
Some of the things I find on the internet make me want to take up pine needle collecting, bland, non-descript, sooooothing.
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: July 15, 2008, 7:11 am
Pine needles? You shitting me? Ever got one of those bad boys stuck between your toes?
Wow. I really sucked at that game.
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: July 15, 2008, 8:05 am
UXB map of Britain. Looks like we’re okay, Uncle B.
Comment from Scubafreak
Time: July 15, 2008, 11:01 am
This is starting out to be an interesting day. Not only did a Black bear decide to take a stroll in downtown Colorado Springs, but east of town last night, there were multiple reports of an African Lion running around chasing pets and livestock. DOW has the area cordoned off and is searching for it.
Comment from Uncle Badger
Time: July 15, 2008, 12:49 pm
UXB?
Unexploded badgers?
Comment from Nicole
Time: July 15, 2008, 3:14 pm
That was a way cool site, Weasel. 🙂
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