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. […]
Can I avoid Alzheimer’s using “Lifespace”? (5/25/11)
Lifespace and Alzheimer’s Disease If you want to get through a long life and remain healthy, you might want to at least check a study done at Rush Medical School’s Rehabilitation Unit. It claims that those with greater “lifespace” were on five year follow-up far less prone to Alzheimer’s than those who stayed in their […]
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 […]
Do we fall sleep one neuron at a time? (5/11/11)
Sleep Is Local Think globally, act locally. That old political mantra also is true of the brain – including sleep. The American model of sleep is relatively simple – light switch on, light switch off. We go out “like a light,” or as others put it, “lie down and die.” Then the light switch goes […]
Controlling weight and diabetes requires real rest (5/9/11)
It’s No Fun to Fight the System “I’m sleeping less than I ever have and that’s gonna make me gain weight? You’re kidding! I have to use more energy to stay awake, so how does that cause weight gain?” I hear similar stories most days. It’s time for people to look at how their bodies […]