So Many Ways To Die The saying is true – it’s all available on the Net –including legal drugs that can end your life. One of them, phenazepam, is usually made in Russia, and is available legally without prescription throughout much of the world – because it’s not on the list of controlled substances for […]
Sleep in a can (7/11/11)
Why Do We Have Relaxation Drinks? Americans are pretty wired up these days, and getting enough sleep is tough. Close to 40% complain of insomnia making them too tired to fully function (http://www.jhsph.edu/healthymonday/2011/03072011_sleep.html), perhaps 5-10% of the population is presently suffering significant depression (http://userpages.umbc.edu/~marcotte/depression%20prevalence.pdf), and many millions more complain of high levels of anxiety – […]
Electronic Insomnia Part I
When Humans and Machines Collide When human evolution and technology collide billions of us became experimental subjects. The results include new behaviors, new diseases, and new versions of old disorders. So prepare now for the future – the new world of electronic insomnia. But first a very short look at the past. We’ve Even Got […]
Caffeine, sleep, and memory (6/1/11)
Blame It On Adenosine What is the main action of caffeine? To block adenosine receptors – in the brain and the rest of the body. And what does adenosine do? Tell us that we’re getting sleepy. And foul up our memories. So does blocking adenosine through caffeine improve memory? If only life were so simple. […]
Banned in Arkansas – Lazy Cakes are off the shelves (5/23/11)
Regulators Begin Actions on Drugs as Foods Lazy Cakes, a brownie filled with now 7.8 mg of melatonin, unknown amounts of valerian root and other “herbal” drugs, was banned last week by the Arkansas Department of Health. It also facing a ban in Fall River and New Bedford, Massachusetts. When I wrote about Lazy Cakes […]