Transcript: MRIs Can Find Signals that Trigger Drug Cravings - NIDA Podcasts
2/22/08 MRIs Can Find Signals that Trigger Drug Cravings
Listen Now Length: 2:50 Format: .MP3 Size: 2.6MB . More Podcasts AKINSO: MRIs can find subconscious signals that trigger drug cravings according to a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Using a functional MRI, scientists have discovered that cocaine-related images trigger the emotional centers of the brains of patients addicted to drugs, even when the subjects are unaware they’ve seen anything. Dr. Steven Grant, NIDA’s Chief of the Neuroscience Branch in the division of Clinical Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, said cues outside one’s awareness can trigger rapid activation of the circuits driving drug-seeking behavior.
GRANT: This study shows that in the area of substance abuse for drug addicts, this processing of very highly relevant information about the presence of stimuli and cues and triggers in the environment that may lead to drug taking are processed by specific areas in the brain in the absence of awareness by the subject.
AKINSO: To verify that the patterns of brain activity triggered by the subconscious cues reflected the patients’ feelings about drugs, researchers gave the patients a different test two days later, allowing them to look longer at the drug images. The patients who demonstrated the strongest brain response to unseen cues in the functional MRI experiment also felt the strongest positive association with visible drug cues. Dr. Grant said understanding how the brain initiates that overwhelming desire for drugs is essential to treating addiction.
GRANT: I think the most immediate payoff here is the empirical demonstration that the drug abuser’s behavior can be influenced by even the most leading exposure to drug related stimuli. That it’s going register in the brain. It’s going to be processed in the brain. And it’s going to be processed in parts of the brain that are also involved in drug seeking.
AKINSO: He added that these results could improve drug treatment strategies.
GRANT: Now what this means for a therapist is it just reiterates what has long been a strategy in the treatment of substance abuse. That the recovering addict needs to be avoiding people, places, and things that are associated with their past drug use and they need to be aware that if they are in overtly exposed to people, places and things that it’s going to literally push bottoms in their brains. And they need to develop strategies even though they may not be aware that those buttons are being pushed.
AKINSO: This is Wally Akinso at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
August 23, 2009
Transcript: MRIs Can Find Signals that Trigger Drug Cravings - NIDA Podcasts
How's this for a belly laugh? The pregnant women who decorate their bumps with amazing artwork | Mail Online
How's this for a belly laugh? The pregnant women who decorate their bumps with amazing artwork | Mail OnlineHow's this for a belly laugh? The pregnant women who decorate their bumps with amazing artwork
By Graham Smith
It's the most exciting time in a woman's life - and, for some, the best way to commemorate the experience of pregnancy is with a painted belly.
As these incredible pictures show, the spherical shape of an expectant mother's stomach forms a perfect round canvas.
Body art: The blooming mother-to-be on the left has flowers all over her belly, while the lady on the right complements her baseball painting with a mitt and bat
From a life-like depiction of an unborn baby to goldfish swimming in a bowl, the options for what to paint are limitless.
An increasing number of women are using face paints to decorate their baby bump.
Manufactured to be gentle on the skin, face paints shouldn't stain, although it's advisable to first test any paint on a hidden section of your body to make sure it can be removed easily.
Magical: An unborn baby graces the stomach on the left, while the woman on the right opted for a goldfish bowl
A dolphin and turtle swim in harmony (left), and cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants is recreated (right)
These three expectant mums opted for an underwater theme
Cheerful: Cartoon faces are a popular option
A detailed painting of a dragon (left) and a spherical map of the world (right)
The unborn baby inside the stomach on the left is bound to be a music lover later in life, while the mum-to-be on the right painted a summer's day on her bump
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1180359/Hows-belly-laugh-The-pregnant-women-decorate-bumps-amazing-artwork.html#ixzz0P1YTFSOe
GoTopless
GoTopless
NATIONAL GOTOPLESS PROTEST DAYSUN AUGUST 23rd 2009 - in honor of Women's Equality DayParticipating cities at the bottom of this welcoming message
Welcome to GoTopless.org! - We are a US organization, claiming that women have the same constitutional right to be bare chested in public places as men.
Rael, spiritual leader and founder of goTopless.org states: "as long as men can be topless, constitutionally women should have the same right, or men should also be forced to wear something hiding their chest."
Why a National GoTopless Protest day? Gotopless.org claims constitutional equality between men and women on being topless in public. Currently, women who dare to be topless in public in the US are repeatedly being arrested, fined, humiliated, criminalized. On SUNDAY AUGUST 23RD, 2009, topless women will rally in great numbers across the USA to protest this gross inequality in the law and will demand that they be granted the fundamental right to be topless where men already enjoy that right according to the 14th amendment of the Constitution (please see our exact legal argument on the right to be topfree for women under "14th amendment" in news section)
Why in August? On August 26, 1920, following a 72-year struggle, the U.S. Constitution was amended to grant women the right to vote. And in 1970, as an ongoing reminder of women’s equality, Congress declared August 26 “Women’s Equality Day.” But even in the 21st century, women need to stand up and demand that equality in fact – not just in words.
Why having GoTopless actions in cities where top-less freedom for women is already legal? Those programmed with puritanical values find it difficult to change. This “mentality hurdle” applies to both women and men.
How are we helping women? GoTopless is committed to helping women perceive their breasts as noble, natural parts of their anatomy (whether they are nursing or not). Breasts shouldn’t have to be “modestly” or shamefully hidden from public view any more than arms, legs or feet.
How are we helping men? GoTopless is also committed to helping men differentiate between nudity and sexuality. If the presence of a topless woman in public triggers a sexual impulse, it can easily be controlled in the same way men control themselves when they see a woman wearing a mini skirt or revealing ample cleavage. Men manage to appreciate these things while still showing respect! Choosing consciousness above hormones leads to a peaceful, respectful society providing additional freedom and beauty
Who can participate? We welcome everyone! GoTopless was founded by the Raelian Movement, which recognizes that life on Earth was created by advanced extraterrestrial scientists. These scientists, both male and female, used their mastery of genetic engineering to create humans in their own image (breasts included!). GoTopless includes thousands of women and men, who have a wide variety of beliefs, affiliations, etc...
Why do you talk about femininity rather than feminism? In the past, women often had to act like men when fighting for their rights, so they repressed their femininity. Today, GoTopless women see their femininity as a powerful asset as they struggle for equal rights in a masculine-dominated
What will happen that day? Across America, topless women and men will peacefully rally in the streets, parks, on the beaches of their towns and cities. See below for time and location of activities in each city.
Topfree performances will be given by various artists to honor women's right to be top free, body painting will be available. Chalk artists will also street paint Art works from Old Masters without any nipple censure. The aim is to convey that the sight of a top free women in public is as natural as the sight of top free men. Please write to us if you are an artist (performance or visual) who would like to participate in one of our shows.
Participating cities for Go Topless Day 2009 are (so far):
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Central Park - Columbus Circle 59th W. Street (between 8 ave and 5 ave). March starts at noon - Speech at 1pm
VENICE BEACH, CALIFORNIA: Group meets at noon on Ocean Front Walk at Navy St. March starts at 1PM towards "muscle beach" stage for our speech and entertainment at 2PM until 4PM.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60610. Meeting at 1PM in front of the boat called "the North Avenue Beach House" 1PM
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA: Lincoln Road and Washington at 3PM. March will head West on Lincoln to Alton and come back down and stop at Meridian where the grassy knoll is for the speech at 4PM
COLUMBUS, OHIO: Join us for a Top-Free PAINT PARTY!!! Noon to 2pm Weather permitting* we will gather together at Goodale Park near the intersectionr of Park and Goodale roads. Everyone is welcome!! The more the merrier :-) If you want to try being top-free or just want to learn more about it we invite you to have fun with us as we play with painting each other and enjoy this time together being top-FREE! Bring a picnic if you like - it will be lunchtime :-) We will have some inexpensive paints and brushes available or you can bring your own if you like :-) Look for our big banner "Gotopless.org" (* event will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain or thunderstorms)
PORTLAND, OREGON: 11 AM Tom McCall Waterfront Park - Stark St / Oak St.
MAUI, HAWAII - Little Beach, Makena State Park, Maui - noon to 3 PM
NOTE: DON'T FORGET TO PROTECT YOUR BREASTS WITH SUNCREEN !!!!
If you would like to organize an event in your city please write to us at: -email-
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