The idea of this thread is to pass on any interesting information that you learned in your day of work/school/masturbation/drug abuse.



They say that you learn at least one new thing every day, so, hopefully, you learn something interesting enough to post in this thread.



Here's mine for today:



While studying for my physiology exam, I've learned how cocaine works.



Normally, the chemical dopamine is transmitted over neuronal synapses and acts basically as a euphoric stimulant. Dopamine does its job and then goes off for reuptake into the bloodstream, etc. to be recycled.



Cocaine acts as a competitive inhibitor to dopamine at its reuptake site. Basically, cocaine blocks dopamine from reuptake, which in turn means dopamine lingers much longer at its postsynaptic site and keeps doing its job, causing increased euphoria, stimulation, confidence, etc.



Sounds good, right? Well, the neurons become used to increased dopamine exposure and actually become modified for this. When cocaine goes away and dopamine supply returns to normal, withdrawal is experienced as the neurons can't come to terms with normal dopamine exposure. Compounding problems, the reuptake site becomes increasingly desensitized to cocaine, requiring larger and larger doses to block dopamine and experience its positive effects. Unwanted side effects become more prominent as cocaine dosage (and subsequent withdrawal) increases. This is how you become addicted to coke.



This is Bill Nye, the Science Guy, signing off. :D

there are more sheep in new zealand then there are people

Not really something learned, but a creeping revelation: as Christmas draws closer, I realize this is the last magical year for my son. I have a feeling this will be his last Christmas believing in Santa Claus. :(

whirlygirl Escribi�:

Not really something learned, but a creeping revelation: as Christmas draws closer, I realize this is the last magical year for my son. I have a feeling this will be his last Christmas believing in Santa Claus. :(

Awww.... that's too bad. But, as bright as he is, it was going to come sooner rather than later.



On the bright side, now you can start teaching him about Christmas' true origins in Roman paganism! :D

Oh yes, yes. The pagan origins of Christmas open up a slew of learning opportunities. hmm...

Darkstarexodus Escribi�:

Cocaine acts as a competitive inhibitor to dopamine at its reuptake site. Basically, cocaine blocks dopamine from reuptake, which in turn means dopamine lingers much longer at its postsynaptic site and keeps doing its job, causing increased euphoria, stimulation, confidence, etc.

Just to amend that slightly, I think you'll find it works on noradrenaline (or, norepenephrine) synapases as a re-uptake inhibitor. I think it may work as an agonist as dopamine synpases, but most of the action is due to blockade of noradrenaline re-uptake.



(Where's that geeky smiley?)

Im guessing the reason that it puts strain on the heart is that is blocks the sides of vessels increaseing pressure?

chemicalfan Escribi�:

Darkstarexodus Escribi�:

Cocaine acts as a competitive inhibitor to dopamine at its reuptake site. Basically, cocaine blocks dopamine from reuptake, which in turn means dopamine lingers much longer at its postsynaptic site and keeps doing its job, causing increased euphoria, stimulation, confidence, etc.

Just to amend that slightly, I think you'll find it works on noradrenaline (or, norepenephrine) synapases as a re-uptake inhibitor. I think it may work as an agonist as dopamine synpases, but most of the action is due to blockade of noradrenaline re-uptake.



(Where's that geeky smiley?)

My Phys text says dopamine reuptake inhibition. Wikipedia concurs, although it is a LESSER reuptake inhibitor of noradrenaline and serotonin.



Acid: The elevated dopamine levels stimulate sympathetic pathways increasing blood pressure. The effect on blood pressure is enough that it really works the heart good. Any kind of stimulant will raise blood pressure; cocaine just happens to be a stronger stimulant than most.

Darkstarexodus Escribi�:

chemicalfan Escribi�:

Darkstarexodus Escribi�:

Cocaine acts as a competitive inhibitor to dopamine at its reuptake site. Basically, cocaine blocks dopamine from reuptake, which in turn means dopamine lingers much longer at its postsynaptic site and keeps doing its job, causing increased euphoria, stimulation, confidence, etc.

Just to amend that slightly, I think you'll find it works on noradrenaline (or, norepenephrine) synapases as a re-uptake inhibitor. I think it may work as an agonist as dopamine synpases, but most of the action is due to blockade of noradrenaline re-uptake.



(Where's that geeky smiley?)

My Phys text says dopamine reuptake inhibition. Wikipedia concurs, although it is a LESSER reuptake inhibitor of noradrenaline and serotonin.

Hmm, well as I have been out of the pharmacology scene for 18 months, I'll take your word for it! Shame the moment I graduated I chucked most of my notes

I went to a new place today, Lausanne in Switzerland - Lovely old buildings and very dramatic views over Lake Geneva of snow-topped mountains :).

mc marsh Escribi�:

I went to a new place today, Lausanne in Switzerland - Lovely old buildings and very dramatic views over Lake Geneva of snow-topped mountains :).

have you just gone on holiday there?

Performed clinical trial of dopamine reuptake inhibition last night. A successful experiment for all involved.

Pringled Escribi�:

mc marsh Escribi�:

I went to a new place today, Lausanne in Switzerland - Lovely old buildings and very dramatic views over Lake Geneva of snow-topped mountains :).

have you just gone on holiday there?

Yeah, that was posted in an internet cafe in Geneva. Had a good time, now back in Leeds, just as cold here .

Darkstarexodus Escribi�:

While studying for my physiology exam, I've learned how cocaine works.

Sooooooooo.... you're telling us you hoovered up a bunch of charlie and did your homework?

toomuch'stash Escribi�:

Darkstarexodus Escribi�:

While studying for my physiology exam, I've learned how cocaine works.

Sooooooooo.... you're telling us you hoovered up a bunch of charlie and did your homework?

Other way around, actually.... 8O

Oh yeah, this one is for you, 'stash!



Learned today that 5-HTP is contained in foods such as turkey and cheese, so I definetly recommend preloading with a Turkey Club sandwich for lunch.

Pringled Escribi�:

there are more sheep in new zealand then there are people

I think the same can be said of Wales.



On the subject of the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand was the first country in the world to allow women to vote in a national election.