Shadow Pulse 9

  GHB and the Brain GHB, found endogenously in the brain, is a precursor of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (Le & Richards, 2019). GHB affects both GABA-B and GHB receptors. GHB influences dopamine in a two-phase manner . At lower doses, it triggers the release of dopamine by interacting with GHB receptors. On the other hand, higher doses initially suppress dopamine release due to their agonist effects on GABA-B receptors, which results in neuro-inhibition and depression of the central nervous system (CNS). However, following this initial suppression, there is an increase in dopamine release via the GHB receptor. ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 This dual action of GHB explains its sedative and excitatory effects. The primary concern with GHB toxicity is the depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system. 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 Substitutes for GHB, namely Gamma-butyrolactone and...

 GHB Overdose: Education Can Save Lives Objective  The objective of this study was to understand how bystanders respond to Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) overdose. This situation is frequently found within sexuality and gender diverse communities carrying a high risk of fatality. Methods This qualitative study involved interviewing 31 Australian residents who reported using GHB on three or more occasions in the previous twelve months. These participants were asked about their experiences witnessing GHB overdose more specifically: Their actions Their decision-making processes throughout the overdose. Their responses were analyzed according to dominant themes. Results  All of these participants witnessed the overdoses in private settings and were involved in sexual situations. These participants reported their situations as ranging from GHB-induced symptoms of distress (Freestone et al., 2023) to comatose intoxication. These participants reported their drastic actions to keep ...

 A Coming of Age Alcohol addiction has been around for centuries, and its early days were marked by a lack of understanding about the nature of addiction. Alcohol was often seen as a social lubricant and a way to relax and unwind. It was not until the 20th century that alcohol addiction began to be recognized as a serious problem. 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Video gaming addiction is a more recent phenomenon, and its early days were marked by a similar lack of understanding. Video games were often seen as harmless entertainment, and there was little concern about the potential for addiction. However, in recent years, there has been growing awareness of the dangers of video gaming addiction. ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ Video gaming addiction is becoming a serious problem. To validate its seriousness, I want to compare the coming-of-age of alcohol addiction to where video gaming addiction is at now. Availability : Alcohol has always been readily av...

  Suicide Prevention: If you ever have a chance to intervene and help someone going through a suicide crisis and have surveyed the scene for safety, do not worry about not knowing what to do or say. Follow your heart to that person.  988 on your phone will connect you to someone who is trained and they will guide you.

 Released Through Unrequited Channels A few nights ago, I could not sleep and I was excessively worrying about a particular situation that I had under control. It was a situation that I had handled before. So why was I worrying so much? I felt an almost apocalyptic worry over this situation. In my head I spiraled thousands of situations of how this particular situation and other situations would spawn off of it. I started having straight up old school panic attacks. I was using all my challenging tools to show myself that this situation did not warrent this level of anxiety, but they just were not working. And then I remembered.  🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 Everyone experiences anxiety which is a normal human emotion that keeps us alert and motivated. Repression is a psychological defense mechanism that pushes uncomfortable thoughts and feelings out of our conscious awareness. Which sounds great until it isn't because that anxiety does not actuall...

  🟨In 2021 over 48000 people died because of suicide. 🟨12.3 million people seriously thought about killing themselves. 🟥3.5 million people made a plan to kill themselves. 🟩1.7 million people attempted suicide. ⬛Every 11 minutes one person dies as a result of suicide. The Centers for Disease Control (2022) stated that there were 46,412 suicides among adults in 2021. But suicides are just the tip of the iceberg. For every suicide death*, there were about: 3 hospitalizations for self-harm** 8 emergency department visits related to suicide*** 38 self-reported suicide attempts in the past year**** 265 people who seriously considered suicide in the past year**** Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Call or text 988 Chat at 988lifeline.org Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365. References Centers for Disease Co...

The Promise of Social Robots and BCI Video Games for Treating ADHD 🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity according to Cervantes and colleagues (2023)  definition. The current treatments for children living with ADHD combine different approaches, such as pharmacological, behavioral, cognitive, and psychological treatment (Cervantes et al., 2023). The computer science research community has been working on developing non-pharmacological treatments that are based on novel technologies for dealing with ADHD (Cervantes et al., 2023). 🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦 Social Robots Therapists use these social robots to mediate between the therapist and some children living with ADHD. According to Cervantes and colleagues (2023), they can provide companionship and support to children with ADHD and...