#dopamine administration

[cursi4do]

aino se pq los pixelines (pixeles+tilines= gente online q presensia mi desenso al vasio) prefieren los memes q hago q los k m robo. algo hay en mis meme o sólo disfrutan ver la autoexplotasion creativa no remunerada?

nose pero supongo es para mi una bendision, compartan compartan.

#memelife #dopamine administration

[not-poignant]

Hello!! Not really a question — I just wanted to say I'm in awe of how disciplined you are with your writing and how much you're able to write in a given month. It's HUGELY motivational to see your excerpts and schedules and updates (but I'm happy you're also taking some time this month to rest!)

Hope you have a nice day!

Hi hi anon!

Thank you so much <3 Some of it is definitely discipline, but honestly, I feel like I'm very fortunate because I do just enjoy writing?

Like, it's the thing I want to do when I'm stressed. I want to do it when I'm meant to be not doing it (like holidays). I want to do it most of the time, so I'm very rarely forcing myself. It's comforting to me.

It's still very hard sometimes and there's parts that aren't comforting, like I put off editing a LOT! (My wordcounts are also my editing, and that takes longer sometimes than writing the initial chapter, and definitely takes longer once I send to beta, because she responds live and that's the way we've always done it so I can interact reflexively and change things as we go).

But anyway, I do enjoy writing!

The other thing that has helped re: the actual schedule (because I didn't have one for most of the time I've done serials here and on AO3!) is finally getting an ADHD diagnosis and getting onto Vyvanse, which gave me like 15% more executive function, and that's just enough for me to start writing a few chapters ahead, which has given me more freedom than I've have in 10 years.

It's also why if anyone tells me that ADHD is a superpower, I will punch them in the face, lol.

Anyway! I'm selfish, it's fun for me to post updates, it's fun for me to post excerpts, it's fun for me to share this way with you all! I think if I forced myself to do it the 'Right Way' as a novelist that wrote and published finished books I would have burned out on that caree- oh wait I did burn out on that lol

#asks and answers #pia on writing #i should really have a 'pia has ADHD' tag #because it's actually extremely fundamental to why i do my job this way #(hint it's the dopamine) #and how the schedule is literally a 'vyvanse side effect' #in the very best way saflkdjsafdsa #i'm SO glad y'all are getting something out of it like you have no idea #i have written chapters to certain days before #but never reliable times #and it could change all the time fsdlakjfdsa #administrator gwyn wants this in the queue

[hug-your-face]

Insight today while washing the lettuce and thinking of my friend who doesn't want to vote.

They are an otherwise intelligent, responsible, generous person, who appears to be socially conscious. They have worked hard and long for their position in their profession. They express concern for the planet. They get twitchy if you use too many paper towels.

But they don’t want to vote for Biden for reasons, and quote "doesn't like the whole system where the parties take turns swinging things back and forth" unquote.

I have been dumbstruck at their attitude for about two months now. I've been thrashing back and forth trying to reconcile this person I love with their attitude:

If you care abt the planet enough to conserve paper towels, don’t you care enough to stop a Repub administration from raping the land?

If you don’t like how things can swing back and forth, don't you want an administration that's going to work to shore up, rather than dismantle, more lasting democratic systems of governance?

If you understand the value of the long game, why are you only satisfied with instant results from a single election rather than viewing that election as a single move in an ongoing process?

The insight came to me as I used an extra set of paper towels to dry my lettuce:

These people are not motivated by outcomes. They are motivated by how their choices make them FEEL.

Not how the outcomes of their choices will make them feel. But how the action associated with their choices makes them feel.

In terms of outcomes for the environment, saving paper towels doesn't do shit compared to pushing for restrictions on oil companies. But using half a paper towel is an instant dopamine hit: "Ahhh, I am caring for Mother Earth. I care. I am a good person. Ahh yes that's the stuff."

This model fits for voting too. We know that The Only Votes That Count Are Those Cast. We know that Dems Go Where The Votes Are Not Where The Votes Aren't. We know that voting in every election, every time, in numbers, is a very low-effort way to contribute to moving the Overton window farther left.

But in the moment, for people who are motivated by how their action associated with their choice makes them feel... the absolute best move for their dopamine supply is to abstain: "I am NOT supporting an old fart; I am NOT supporting genocide; I am Challenging The System; I am a good person. Ahh yes, that's the stuff."

At the time, when I challenged my friend on their position, they held up their hands and said "look, I'm not saying I have any answers, I'm just saying I don’t like how the system works."

They didn't like how participating in the system made them FEEL in the moment.

For those of us who think this is madness, hey, we aren't off the hook entirely. We are basing our choices and actions off of outcomes, true. But there's probably a feeling/dopamine component in there too. "I am holding my nose and voting Blue; I am doing my part to actually affect the future even if I hate some things abt my choice; I am a good person."

So maybe the difference isn't in the motivation (my feelings and self-image) but in what motivates us (my action vs the outcome of my action).

I don't have an answer to the question at this time and this post is already long enough. But I'll think on it. And I invite you to do so as well:

For these people (who seem to be a sizable part of the population), how to outweigh the choice where their action preserves their self-image, doesn't cost them dopamine for having to take a "bad" action, and maybe even gives them a happy boost for "not being part of a flawed system?"

For these people, how to help them connect more to the outcome?

Off the cuff, I can't think of any means other than cognitive-behavioral therapy. :/

EDIT: Apparently there's a term for this and it's called Emotivism -- ethics isn't abt effects but abt feelings.

#mine #long post #psychology #cognitive psychology #affective cognitive #ethics #politics #environment #ref

[e2019]

Abstract

Tramadol overdose is frequently associated with the onset of seizures, usually considered as serotonin syndrome manifestations. Recently, the serotoninergic mechanism of tramadol-attributed seizures has been questioned. This study’s aim was to identify the mechanisms involved in tramadol-induced seizures in overdose in rats. The investigations included (1) the effects of specific pretreatments on tramadol-induced seizure onset and brain monoamine concentrations, (2) the interaction between tramadol and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors in vivo in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and 11C-flumazenil. Diazepam abolished tramadol-induced seizures, in contrast to naloxone, cyproheptadine and fexofenadine pretreatments. Despite seizure abolishment, diazepam significantly enhanced tramadol-induced increase in the brain serotonin (p < 0.01), histamine (p < 0.01), dopamine (p < 0.05) and norepinephrine (p < 0.05). No displacement of 11C-flumazenil brain kinetics was observed following tramadol administration in contrast to diazepam, suggesting that the observed interaction was not related to a competitive mechanism between tramadol and flumazenil at the benzodiazepine-binding site. Our findings do not support the involvement of serotoninergic, histaminergic, dopaminergic, norepinephrine or opioidergic pathways in tramadol-induced seizures in overdose, but they strongly suggest a tramadol-induced allosteric change of the benzodiazepine-binding site of GABAA receptors. Management of tramadol-poisoned patients should take into account that tramadol-induced seizures are mainly related to a GABAergic pathway. Keywords: GABA, overdose, positron emission tomography, seizure, tramadol

[the9mm]

The Ever-Increasing Hostility of Social Media to Artists

Originally posted on my blog!

Have you noticed? There’s a chill in the air. With rising systems in place like “AI art” and image generation that seems to be creating a hostile environment for artists on the internet, as well as social media platforms that prioritize and reward creating “content” to game algorithms and have your posts be seen by the very people who have already chosen to follow you, there’s also a rising sense of hostility in general towards artists.

What do I mean? There is seldom a week that passes where I am doing my best to work with what’s available to me, and I am treated poorly by other users, or even moderators/administrators of social media circles. How many times have you posted something and heard the following?

“Pay for your ad!”

“#ad”

“This is just an ad.”

“Self-promotion is not allowed here.”

“Advertising is not allowed here.”

“You can’t mention that you made this/you sell it/it’s available to buy. You can’t include links back to any of your social media accounts or your website. You should not even have your username in your watermark.”

No credit, only content!!

Original comic by @cupcakelogic

I find this absolutely wild. Social media, built on the backs of artists – now turned “content creators” because people only stop to look at works you’ve spent hours making for mere seconds – has turned into such an impossible minefield of where you can’t hope to make any sort of headway in your efforts to grow your following or find new clients/buyers for your works. Social media as a whole, including groups, subs, etc will take your works, of course, as long as you never mention anything offsite, anything that could indicate that the work could be used for anything except a three second dopamine hit as people scroll their mindless feeds. You must constantly and consistently be playing a game of cutting your own marketing efforts off at the knees (or gaming the system and toeing the line for getting your links back out there) for the barest of scraps when they do come.

A post goes most viral on Imgur after posting consistently for months, or possibly even years? Well, you’ve only got about 24 hours to make the most of it. Edit your post and drop a link to where someone could support you. And then watch the comments roll in about how it’s an ad, and how you shouldn’t be doing that. A post gets upvoted a bunch on Reddit and lots of commenters are asking where they can support you? Sorry, against the rules to say it. You’ll get banned if you mention at all where people can send money for your cool thing.

Want to add a link to your crowdfunding campaign, Patreon, shop, or something else on one of the big social medias like Facebook/Instagram? Better make sure you turn it into a Zodiac killer-esque puzzle when you mention it by name that your followers then have to decode in order to find out where to support you easily, because if you post a link to anything outside of that social network – sometimes even just any link at all – you’ve guaranteed no one will see your post.

Censoring everything

On top of all of these hoops, there’s also the hoop of censorship. If the automated moderators at Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, or Bluesky decide there’s a penis in your artwork, well guess what. There’s a penis in it. Somewhere! The algorithm says so. Banned, banned for life. People have had posts taken down, been shadow banned, and even been suspended for posting things that are not even vaguely sexually suggestive in any manner and appealing or getting reinstated can be extremely difficult, time consuming, and sometimes outright impossible.

But that doesn’t even begin to even broach the topic of the way art is being systematically nice-ified for an audience it’s probably not ever going to reach: “what if my child sees this?”

Nipples (mostly just female), genitals, buttocks, and even too-much skin are swiftly slapped with filter labels (if the social media platform is generous) and hidden from view, or immediately taken down, despite the fact that every single human owns these body parts. What if my child sees this? Well, you should probably explain to them that other humans have butts too instead of forcing people to censor asscracks with smiley faces and stickers.

Moving the goalposts

I recently watched a friend battle with moderators on Reddit. She had been posting her artwork there for years. Her artwork also includes other artist’s work in the final piece, and she always credits those pieces as any good artist should. Well, a subreddit said no, she cannot mention those people and give due credit, as that’s advertising/promotion (to them). She asked if she could put their name on the watermark to give them credit, and was told no. To continue posting without giving credit to the other people responsible for parts of your work would obviously not be right or ideal, but what choice has she been given? New moderators/administrators come in and change their minds on a whim about when and where credit can be posted. The moderators/admins of this subreddit simply answered “no” and gave no other alternatives. How helpful is that?

A special place in hell

Even worse are the people who slice off artist’s signatures and watermarks, then share/repost the work without the artist’s credit (and do not tag or credit the artist in any way in any other form). If there’s a hell, I hope people who do this land directly in it. Right beside the people who simply must share an artwork, but can’t take the five seconds to TinEye or reverse Google Image Search it, and simply say “credit to the artist!” While we’re at it, people who think crediting an artist in the comments of a post because it looks “cleaner” or whatever reason they have can also get on the express hell elevator too (if you don’t know, comments don’t follow along with shares, so the credit being there is meaningless).

Oh, and make sure your stuff doesn’t look too professional, because if it does, it’s no longer artwork – it’s merch. And anything mentioning merch is now advertising. I have consistently discovered that by “downgrading” the presentation of my works (such as photoshopping them onto less-than-ideal photos where I’m holding it in hand, or it’s amidst a mess, something like that) I can reliably garner more likes, more comments, more shares, more upvotes, more engagement. The less polished I make it, even though I need those polished works for my website or my shop, the better it performs, because if it’s too nice looking, it’s merch, and an artist shouldn’t be making merch.

What’s next?

So what do we do here? Social media wants our art. Social media needs our art. Visual platforms like Instagram and TikTok were built on all of our hard work, propagating it with cool and interesting things constantly and consistently. Take away all of the interesting things, and what’s left on social media? Nothing. Nothing but “AI art” vomit and screenshots from Bluesky, Twitter, and Tumblr extorting people way funnier than us, that is.

For myself, I have begun starving the social media machine. I know it’s not good for growth, or connecting with new people, or whatever, but I’ve done my time in the trenches trying to chase after the newest trend, latest thing, and pleasing the capitalist social media overlords. I’ve tried to be the jester in the Meta court, and I know plenty of other artist friends who are doing the same. Why expend effort when there’s no reward? There’s not even any clicks anymore.

Many artist friends are going back to in-person events to bolster their audience instead of trying to capture a sliver of attention on a mobile phone or computer, and honestly I’m right there beside them. This year is the first year I’ve considered starting to purchase items for a professional table set up and trialing it at some smaller, local events. I’ve also been sending a lot of applications for zines, group art shows, and other projects, as well as preparing for another crowdfunding campaign at the end of March amongst over a hundred other artists. Social media just isn’t cutting it anymore.

I am having a nice time on Bluesky and Mastodon, though. Well, until someone comes in and slathers either of them in ads, I’m sure. But for now, I guess I’ll enjoy as much of it as I can. Good things never last. Let the enshittification begin.

#art #rant #social media #enshittification #artist #artists #rants #ranting #blog post

[wegtable]

as someone in education with a lot of one on one time with students i just dont really understand a lot of the sentiment towards todays students. “their attention span is nothing” so is yours. and even if you have great focus now, youre attention span would suck too if your only socialization for 2-3 years in your growing years was short-form high dopamine hit social media. “theyre using chat gpt!” students and even those “high achieving” academics at fancy institutions have plagiarized before. writing an essay isnt natural or easy so of course people try to find the easiest way out. cope. also its just not the end of the world “kids are having huge tantrums in class” this is not new, we have more access to video so ofc we are seeing this more. and still. again. you would act like this too under these circumstances. i just need people to remember that if youre having a hard time , a kid in school or any student regardless of age is also going through it but with significantly less power to do anything about it. just…idk please meet them where they are. you have more in common with that kid having a meltdown than your 6 figure salary administrator. they want us (teachers and students) to hate each other because we are better together. because itll make docile workers who are used to being talked down to and following draconian movement rules. if you are a teacher it is imperative to give a fuck when your admins (and sometimes your power-tripping coworker who loves to hate kids! we all know of one!) goad you into shit talking students and RESIST THAT

#ranting about work dont mind me!!!! #anyway I gotta go!!!

[transgenderer]

Nicotine has been shown to have effects on anxiety and depression in both human and animal studies. These studies suggest that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can modulate the function of pathways involved in stress response, anxiety and depression in the normal brain, and that smoking can result in alterations of anxiety level and mood. The effects of nicotine are complex however, and nicotine treatment can be either anxiolytic or anxiogenic depending on the anxiety model tested, the route of nicotine administration and the time course of administration. The paradoxical effects of nicotine on emotionality are likely due to the broad expression of nAChRs throughout the brain, the large number of nAChR subtypes that have been identified and the ability of nicotine treatment to both activate and desensitize nAChRs. Activation of nAChRs has been shown to modulate many systems associated with stress response including stress hormone pathways, monoaminergic transmission and release of classical neurotransmitters throughout the brain. Local administration studies in animals have identified brain areas that may be involved in the anxiogenic and anxiolytic actions of nicotine including the lateral septum, the dorsal raphe nuclei, the mesolimbic dopamine system and the hippocampus. The ensemble of studies to date suggest that under certain conditions nicotine can act as an anxiolytic and an antidepressant, but that following chronic use, adaptations to nicotine can occur resulting in increased anxiety and depression following withdrawal.

HMM

[mariacallous]

Antipsychotics come from a long line of accidents. In 1876, German chemists created a textile dye called methylene blue, which happened to also dye cells. It meandered into biology labs and, soon after, proved lethal against malaria parasites. Methylene blue became modern medicine’s first fully synthetic drug, lucking into gigs as an antiseptic and an antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning. Cue the spinoffs: A similar molecule, promethazine, became an antihistamine, sedative, and anesthetic. Other phenothiazines followed suit. Then, in 1952, came chlorpromazine.

After doctors sedated a manic patient for surgery, they noticed that chlorpromazine suppressed his mania. A series of clinical trials confirmed that the drug treated manic symptoms, as well as hallucinations and delusions common in psychoses like schizophrenia. The US Food and Drug Administration approved chlorpromazine in 1954. Forty different antipsychotics sprang up within 20 years. “They were discovered serendipitously,” says Jones Parker, a neuroscientist at Northwestern University. “So we don't know what they actually do to the brain.”

But Parker really wants to know. He has spent his career studying brains flooded with dopamine, the condition that underpins psychosis. And while he doesn’t pretend to fully understand antipsychotics either, he believes he’s got the right approach to the job: gazing directly into brains. With a combination of tiny lenses, microscopes, cameras, and fluorescent molecules, Parker’s lab can observe thousands of individual neurons in mice, in real time, as they experience different antipsychotic drugs. That’s now paying dividends. In results appearing in the August issue of Nature Neuroscience, Parker shows that an assumption about antipsychotics that’s almost as old as the drugs themselves is …. well, wrong.

Neuroscientists have long thought that antipsychotics dampen extreme dopamine transmission by sticking to receptors in a type of cell called spiny projection neurons, or SPNs. The drugs basically box out the dopamine at receptor proteins called D1 or D2 (where “D” stands for dopamine). Each of the spiny neurons sport either D1 or D2—they’re genetically distinct. Experiments on calf brain extracts in the 1970s showed that the most powerful antipsychotics are the ones that cling strongly to the D2 SPNs in particular, so decades worth of antipsychotics were designed and refined with D2 in mind.

But when Parker’s team probed how four antipsychotics affect D1, D2, and mouse behavior, they found that the most drug interaction is actually happening at D1 neurons. “It’s good to start with a logical prediction and then let the brain surprise you,” Parker says.

The notion that D1 receptors may be a more important target upends decades of research in a $15 billion market for drugs that are famously erratic. Antipsychotics don’t work for about 30 percent of people who try them. They’re plagued by side effects, from extreme lethargy to unwanted facial movements, and rarely address the cognitive symptoms of psychosis, like social withdrawal and poor working memory.

Assumptions about D2 ran deep, says Katharina Schmack, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who was not involved in the work and studies psychosis at the Francis Crick Institute in the United Kingdom: “This was the textbook knowledge.”

“I was surprised, but kind of excited” by the new study’s conclusions, she continues. Now, she says, “We can start to understand the actual mechanism. And that is the first step to then really get to much better treatments.”

Psychosis flares up in the striatum, a small, curved tissue tucked deep in the brain that helps control how you move, feel, and make decisions. Densely packed neurons extend their spiny branches out of the striatum like ribbon cables. Dopamine prompts those neurons to send signals elsewhere in the brain. This interface is where a blaze of dopamine is thought to overwhelm the mind.

About 95 percent of the neurons connecting the striatum to the rest of the brain are SPNs, each sporting either a D1 or D2 receptor. When dopamine clings to D1, those neurons become more excitable; when it clings to D2, those get less so. The entire system interconnects, so it’s hard to pin down true causes and effects. But Parker believes that by monitoring individual cells, scientists can reverse engineer enough of the circuitry to learn how to deliver drugs to it in the most effective way possible.

The first step in his experiment was to mimic excess dopamine in mice by giving them amphetamines. “You inject them with amphetamine, and they run more. If you inject them with antipsychotics first, they run less. That’s the state of the art,” Parker says.

Then, to find out exactly which neurons the amphetamines were interacting with, his team implanted small endoscopes into each mouse’s brain and rigged tiny 2-gram microscopes to peer through the endoscopes. Parker learned this type of in vivo imaging during a postdoc as a Pfizer employee doing research at Stanford University with Mark Schnitzer, a biophysicist who pioneered the method to study neurons more generally. The endoscopes are invasive, but not so bothersome that they get in the way of experiments.

Since D1 and D2 neurons are genetically distinct, the scientists were able to study each individually. As a way to tell them apart, they had designed fluorescent molecules that tagged only the cells with a particular genetic sequence. They then recorded how the neurons reacted after amphetamine injections: D1 SPNs became more excitable, or responsive, and D2 became less so. This matched the textbook theory, Parker says, “but no one had actually shown that yet.”

Then things got weird. Each of the mice had already been injected with one of four drugs: haloperidol, a first-generation drug from the 1950s known for motor side effects; olanzapine, a second-gen drug; clozapine, a powerful drug that’s administered when others don’t work; and MP-10, a drug candidate Pfizer had developed that looked effective in animals but failed during clinical trials in 2019 when it exacerbated psychosis in humans.

Most neuroscientists would wager that the three effective drugs should ignite some action in D2 SPNs, and might do nothing at D1. Indeed, haloperidol and olanzapine countered the amphetamine’s effect on D2, as expected. But clozapine didn’t. And the big surprise was that controlling D1 neurons seemed to be the factor that mattered most. All three effective drugs normalized the action at D1, and MP-10 didn’t. In fact, MP-10 had leveled out activity at D2 but actually made the abnormal D1 activity worse. “It exacerbated the hyperactivity,” Parker says. “That kind of sealed the deal.”

Next, Parker wondered how general this effect is. Most antipsychotics developed over the past 70 years stick to dopamine receptors, but a new generation binds to other sites, like acetylcholine receptors. Might these new drugs still be doing something to D1 neurons indirectly?

Parker’s team picked three promising new drugs—all in the final clinical trials needed for FDA approval—and repeated the first round of experiments. All three somehow normalized D1 activity too. “We were really surprised,” Parker says.

Schmack says it’s “fascinating” that this pattern holds for antipsychotics that target different receptors. “It seems to be a very consistent observation,” she says.

The behavior of the mice also told a consistent story. In both rounds of testing, all of the antipsychotics—except MP-10, which was already known to be ineffective—helped amphetamine-agitated mice slow down and move normally. And their neural activity told a consistent story about why. While the effects on D2 neurons varied, each of those six drugs normalized D1 neurons—suggesting D1 is the receptor that matters more.

To Schmack, these results suggest that drug companies should target D1 in testing—she thinks a drug candidate’s effect on that receptor could be a good proxy for its likelihood of success. “It’s something that we are always desperately in need of,” she says.

“It is extremely powerful, and a wonderful screening tool,” agrees Jessica Walsh, a neuropharmacologist at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who was not involved in the work. “With all the drugs that already exist, this really shows that with drugs that we thought selectively targeted one receptor—perhaps that’s not the entire story.”

Parker makes a convincing case for targeting D1, Walsh says, by running through the “whole gamut” of drugs: “It was a humongous effort.” Yet Walsh notes that the interconnections between neurons like D1 and D2 SPNs mean that D2 SPNs may still be important. It’s possible that some drugs level out D1 activity by sticking to D2 receptors.

“It is tricky to shift the role of D2 receptors as being crucial,” Robert McCutcheon, a psychosis researcher at the University of Oxford, England, wrote in an email to WIRED. He suggests testing other approved drugs with no supposed attraction to D1 receptors, like amisulpride.

The field still longs for a better grasp of which neural circuits respond most to antipsychotics. “This is the first step to actually disentangling the exact effects,” says Schmack. “We can develop new antipsychotic drugs that target new points in this way, and might have less side effects than the antipsychotic drugs that we have right now.”

Parker’s current plan is to test what happens when he blocks the D1 receptor just sometimes, with drugs called “partial agonists.” The drugs compensate for high dopamine and low dopamine. It’s a different approach than just blocking dopamine altogether, and Parker hopes his new results bode well for D1 partial agonists in particular. That’s because despite having more dopamine in their striatum, people with schizophrenia actually have lower dopamine levels in their cortex, a feature that neuroscientists think contributes to social withdrawal and forgetfulness. “Such a drug could be both antipsychotic and cognition-promoting,” Parker says. His lab has begun testing candidates.

The Nature Neuroscience study’s results open new inroads to treating psychosis, Parker says. “If we’re not constrained by this idea that they always need to bind this receptor or do this one thing to this type of neuron, we can begin to think about what might be possible in other ways.”

[cursi4do]

ijo d su k horror m e buelto un adikto kabron d un neurotransmisor

#dopamine administration

[healthgurus0]

Understanding Bupropion HCl: Uses, Side Effects, and More

Introduction:

In the realm of mental health treatments, Bupropion HCl stands out as a valuable tool for managing depression. This medication operates by restoring the delicate balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain, namely dopamine and norepinephrine.

How to Use Bupropion HCl:

To make the most of Bupropion HCl, it's essential to adhere to proper usage guidelines. Your journey with this medication begins with a thorough read of the Patient Information Leaflet and Medication Guide, readily available from your pharmacist. Whether taken with or without food, the dosage is typically three times daily, with intervals of at least six hours to reduce the risk of seizures. It's crucial not to alter the tablet's form before consumption, as advised by the manufacturer. However, always defer to your doctor's instructions regarding administration.

Side Effects and Precautions:

Like any medication, Bupropion HCl may entail side effects, including nausea, headaches, or dry mouth. Should these persist or worsen, prompt consultation with your healthcare provider is recommended. Moreover, vigilance is key in monitoring blood pressure levels due to potential increases associated with this medication. While serious side effects are rare, it's vital to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing chest pain, fainting, or seizures. Additionally, individuals with a history of certain conditions, such as seizures or psychiatric disorders, should exercise caution and disclose relevant medical information to their healthcare provider before initiating treatment.

Warnings and Interactions:

Antidepressants like Bupropion HCl carry profound benefits but necessitate careful consideration of potential risks. Notably, individuals under 25 may experience new or exacerbated depressive symptoms, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue with healthcare professionals. Furthermore, cautiousness is advised when combining Bupropion HCl with other medications, as certain drug interactions can occur. Notably, MAO inhibitors should be avoided concurrently with Bupropion HCl, as this combination may lead to severe complications.

Conclusion:

In essence, Bupropion HCl offers a promising avenue for managing depression and related conditions. By adhering to prescribed usage guidelines, remaining vigilant for potential side effects, and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers, individuals can navigate their treatment journey with confidence and optimize therapeutic outcomes.

#health #health & fitness #health and wellness #health tips #healthcare #healthy diet #healthy recipes #healthyeating #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #meditation #medicine #experts agree—these are the trendiest haircuts to try this winter #trending #public health #mental health #i need to lose this weight

[paragonrobits]

Just had this crazy idea of a homestuck / mass effect crossover:

To start you have the Alternian Empire instead of humans, and naturally still get in a war with the Turians after the trolls shot first. I figure they'd be roughly on par for ground combat, but are a bit of Outside Context Problem in space as Alternian naval combat involves industrial scale psionics and non eezo ftl (I think troll ftl can still use mass effect induced from psionics to make it easier for ships to be pushed at past light speeds).

Alternia rejects all attempts at diplomacy that isn't surrender until one day they suddenly announce a peace / cease-fire (but theyre still keeping any systems they took) and are sending an ambassador to the Council for 'military coordination' and 'defense agreements'. Can you imagine their reaction when the ambassador arrives, who would be a fuschia, maybe Feferi, and explains that the sudden about face is to prepare to fight against the Reapers? And this was "ordered" by the 'god' of the imperial cult.

So the trolls would be an old enough race for their early or near sentience phase to be at the same time as the reapers, and Gl'bgolyb remembers it- and probably the previous cycles too if she was there since the planet formed. And Feferi would be if not grimdark/grimdark adjacent then very obviously a "cultist" of some sort to citadel people. Also fuschias don't have to fight to the death automatically, its still an option if they want to try for the throne but for the most part they're the penultimate level of imperial bureaucracy, administering multiple systems and such.

Unfortunately, I haven't thought much about what happens after since I dont know mass effect that well.

I'm embarassed it's taken me a while to get to this because something about this made the dopamine go ZOP!

i'm still perpetually salty about human exceptionalism being such a norm and partially present in Mass Effect's earlier entries so anything that gets the uninteresting primates with an entitlement complex out of the way is of course of interest

That honestly makes perfect sense; the Turians are well suited to fighting the trolls in a ground-based or one on one context, as from what we see in canon, their extremely ruthless attitude towards warfare makes them good at just fighting the trolls directly as opposed to canon humans continually escalating. It's also VERY similar to the way the turians fought the krogan, who have similar physical capability to trolls and even a similar explosive reproduction that allows them to waste troops with the piles of bodies strategy of just throwing disposable soldiers at a problem.

I REALLY like the sudden twist and, if this was a narrative story, I think this might be a good place to start it since its full of interesting character bits to set off around this point; everyone is confused and has no idea what the hell is going on. The implicaiton I get is that Feferi has recently taken her position, in response to the revelation about the Reapers.

I think making fuchsias not unique and instead being the chief administrators makes a LOT of sense and works really well for taking the trolls into a space opera or even a relatively hard-ish sci fi setting. I would also say that Feferi's cultist status would probably be a bit weird to the Citadel but, funnily enough, something they can work with; in canon we see that they're no strangers to alien religions and tend to accomodate them, and in fact this is QUITE similar to the batarians, who are often religiously motivated, but the trolls would actually be easier to deal with, as the batarians constantly have friciton with the citadel aliens wheras this isn't really a factor here, from what i can say.

I DO know Mass Effect extremely well so I can offer a lot of thoughts. My first thought is, assuming humans are not present at all and trolls occupy their narrative position, that Commander Shepard is a troll here; POSSIBLY a fuchsia for maximum coolness, but narratively i can see the appeal of them being a lowblood of some sort. A psionic would work well, given Shepard often being portrayed as a biotic.

#queued #replies

[teal-fiend]

shy pred 3

content: post vore, digestion mention, pred POV, one (1) swear word

B woke up to the sound of their stomach growling. But they were still full from yesterday, so it wasn’t hunger as much as it was a general sound of digestion.

It was morning, so they didn’t go back to sleep. 

A was already awake. They were sitting on the kitchen table with a cup of tea. “Good morning.”

B saw someone's laptop on table beside them. They didn’t recognise it right away, but B realised it belonged to the stranger in the library from yesterday . The one who was now in B’s gut. A must have taken their stuff to remove the evidence from the scene

Eating prey on campus grounds was risky. They could even get expelled if they were caught. It was reckless of A to have them consuming in such a public area. But A wouldn’t be the one who got in trouble, because even though A initially made the decision, it was B who actually did it.

B just wished they would be more cautious

A must have said something, but B didn’t catch it, because they were too caught up in their own thoughts. 

“Sorry, I was just thinking about something.” B said “About what?”

“Oh, you know.” B didn’t really want to have this conversation, even though they probably should. But A and B didn’t argue about anything, and B didn’t want to start. Their hand subconsciously ghosted over their belly

“Is there any time that you’re not thinking about prey?” A said jokingly

B paused before answering, and A raised their eyebrow. To be honest, B did spend most of their time thinking about their next meal. B thought for a moment before they knew the answer

“After I’ve eaten I’m not thinking about what I’m going to eat next.” And they were confident with that answer.

“Ah yes, but,” A responded, “you are thinking about the prey that you just ate.”

“Oh, I guess you’re right.”

It’s not like their mind completely went blank after they had fed. In that time their brain would be dopamine, from their body rewarding them for a good catch. Really the only time they wouldn’t be occupied with thinking about prey would be in the lull between being full and being hungry. But even then their mind might sit there idly in the fantasy of eating again. Maybe the answer was then any time they were distracted by another task. But then even now, were they thinking about prey? or were they thinking about thinking about prey? B rubbed their eyes.

“Are you still tired?” A asked, “you slept for 14 hours.”

“Yeah, that usually happens.”

“I have class today, do you want to come along?”

When B didn't express enthusiasm, A continued, “C’mon, it would be good to get out of the house.”

B sighed, and agreed. They didn’t have anything better to do today anyway.

A drove, with B in the passenger seat. They parked in the designated lot, and the two entered the university building. B paused before going into the lecture hall

“I’ll meet you in there.” B said, “I’m going to go wash my hands”

“Alright, but don’t take too long. This class can get pretty full, you might not get a seat.”

“Am I even allowed to come in?” “It’ll be fine, don’t worry about it,” A said, before waving, and jogging into the lecture hall. 

As soon as A was gone, B turned to the person who was watching them. “What do you want.”

C slinked up to them. “Looks like you  had a nice dinner last night.”

“So what?”

“Well, people are getting nervous. You can feel it, can’t you? They can tell there’s an active predator hanging around. The problem is, they think it’s me.” C said, “since no-body suspects you, I’m the one who gets accused, and I’ll be the one who gets in trouble if the administration gets serious about nipping this problem in the bud.”

“Okay, I get where you’re coming from,” B admitted, because then genuinely agreed. “I know the risk, but A told me to do it, and I played along - but you’re right. It won’t happen again.”

“You talk about this 'A' a lot. It's always your excuse. If they're causing issues, you could just eat them. In fact, it's been awhile, and you haven't eaten them yet," C mused, "Are you going to eat them?” C asked

“No,”

“Really? Then the issue isn't solved - You said this wouldn’t happen again - “

“No - I didn’t mean it like that.” “Can I eat them then?”

“No!” B hissed, “No, don’t. I’m serious.” “If you’re not going to, why can’t I?” C said, trying to provoke them. 

“Okay- then why don’t I eat your prey friend?” B struck back, “D, or whatever their name was.” “You better not,” C lost their humorous tone. 

“Okay then we have a truce.”

“Fine.” C said, “Yeah. And you also have to stop framing me, even if it’s not on purpose. Stop breaking the rules, stick to your territory; stop fucking around."

“Ok sure." B sniffed, "Was that all you wanted to talk to me about?” “Pretty much”

“You weren’t going to ask me how my day’s been?” “How has your day been?” “Okay, I guess. How about you?” “It’s been good.”

“Good,” B said. 

"See you later then" "Goodbye"

C disappeared into the crowd of students going in and out of lecture halls. B slipped into the stream that was wandering into A’s class. They made their way up the stairs and found where A had set themselves up. 

They sat themselves next to A and watched as at the front of the hall the professor set up the projector.

Soon the class started, and B was having difficulty staying awake. They closed their eyes and fell asleep shortly after. 

#i have 2 more parts planned after this #5 part series #i might compile it into one post when I'm done so it's easier to read #because it's only going to be like 4k words in total #soft vore #v.ore #tw vore #fatal vore #vore digestion #implied digestion #v/ore #vore writing #stomach noises #implied vore #post vore #soft v/ore

[survive-the-academy]

Priming myself for work

After watching some of Elizabeth Filips' YouTube content, I realised that I, like her, am very passion-driven, and tend to focus super intently once I'm interested in something.

In one of her videos, she discussed "dopamine priming" as a way she gets herself very interested in a topic, in order to motivate herself to study it.

I apply a slightly more generalised, broad version of this - allowing myself a few minutes (set a timer, don't let yourself get sucked into mindless scrolling for hours!) to scroll through aesthetic and cosy study content here and on other platforms; I pick out a nice lofi playlist, and get myself comfy.

As long as this set-up routine is contained and uses a finite amount of time (again, set that alarm!), I find it really helps to get me in the right mindset to do work happily, even when I'm dreading a pile of administrative tasks, and really don't want to be working.

Be kind to yourself when you're feeling unproductive; take frequent, actually restful breaks (don't use breaks to check email, actually rest your brain); don't push yourself to do more than four hours of focused, concentrated work.

#study #research #work #studyblr #PhD

[starry-skies-116]

What Is Executive Dysfunction?:

I’m writing this as I have one of the worst executive dysfunction episodes of my life- but I’ve barely enough to get by, thankfully. This is probably going to become a partially ‘ADHD and neurodivergent discussion blog based off of my own experiences dealing with my condition’ because, hey, who can blame me? I’m going into Junior Year of High School, which is exclusively neurotypical and allocishet friendly.

And I’m scared. As hell. And I NEED somewhere to dump my thoughts, so I can FINALLY talk to my school counselor and teachers, and try my damned best to advocate for myself after FINALLY being able to somewhat articulate my condition and slap a label on the suffering that has literally ruined my life at certain points and alienated me from my peers and elders for SO. LONG.

Living in a primarily conservative and traditionalist Indian community that is heavily and tragically uneducated on neurodivergency and having literally everyone around me dismiss my condition as ‘being lazy or unfocused’ is already hard enough as it is. Asian customs of ‘saving face’ ‘honor’ and ‘filial piety’ apply to my region in addition to internalized ableism, humility and queerphobia, and the ‘clan/family’ from which my family is descended from, and though it is common throughout ALL of India and other asian countries, I find it to be more common in South Asia, a coincidentally VERY educationally competitive country and VERY unhealthy environment for even neurotypical students. Everything you do there is literally a test of intelligence, as well as executive function and abled-ness.

Therefore, in my family, school and community, literally all symptoms of neurodivergency are overlooked and dismissed as ‘being lazy and distracted’. And it is mostly because of this that I know not of whether my cousins, parents or other relatives are neurodivergent.

DISCLAIMER, THOUGH: Neurotypical people can also have executive functioning issues from time to time in their daily life, too! It is just that for me, as well as others out there with ADHD, it is frequent and exacerbated by our differing brain structures: it is progress-hindering and literally ruins your life at some points in your life (*cough* middle school for me *cough*).

So, you’ve read the title- what is Executive Dysfunction? Well, to understand that, one must understand executive function and the purpose it serves in functional, typical human beings.

Executive functions are primarily a set of inherent mental skills and cognitive functions present in a typical, average human being (take a healthy human adult as a control group). The eight primary skills present in a human being with working Executive functions are:

Impulse Control, the ability to stop and think before acting (not related to risk assessment in my case).

Self-Monitoring, the ability to view and evaluate oneself (I don’t truly have trouble with this sometimes due to my high self-awareness, yet that is only on VERY few levels).

Emotional Control, the ability to manage emotions to achieve goals and complete tasks (still have EXTREME trouble with this).

Flexibility, the ability to adapt to changing conditions by revising plans or changing strategies (doesn’t come naturally to me due to my shit memory).

Task Initiation, the ability to start and finish tasks without procrastinating upon said tasks (MAJOR problem there, darling- broken dopamine receptors paired with a lack of this has literally RUINED my life on MULTIPLE occasions).

Organization, the ability to develop and use systems to keep track of materials and information (do you wish for an administrative role if you have no problem with this? Then do so).

Working Memory, the ability to use information held in memory to complete a task (NOT to be confused with pattern recognition/sensitivity or conceptual learning from past experience- at least in my case).

Planning and Time Management, the ability to create specific steps to reach a goal (my parents ALWAYS scold me on ‘not planning properly’ all the damn time. This specific function is not impaired, its just that I do things differently in an unorthodox method and order- ‘my way’ if you will).

These functions are all subsumed and regulated by an essential anterior section of the brain known as the frontal lobe. It is through the existence of Executive Functions that the frontal lobe regulates human activities such as consciousness, memory, decision-making, memory, attention, among other roles.

Sound familiar to anyone afflicted with ADHD? It should. What the frontal lobe regulates are the things we struggle with every day: one of the prominent symptoms is our executive function being severely and horribly impaired. Executive Dysfunction, while also showing up in people afflicted with depression, dementia and traumatic brain injuries, primarily shows up in people with Autism or ADHD.

It’s why we feel so goddamn exhausted and burnt out all the time despite having done nothing. It’s why we place something down- the next moment, it’s inexplicably gone from existence and we lose it forever. It’s why what are simple, easy tasks to neurotypicals are actually so hard for neurodivergents. It’s why, even with all the time in the world, we still feel as though there’s not enough because no matter how hard we try, we cannot will ourselves to do things that neurotypical people can patiently slog through so easily. 

It’s why we react faster than we think. It’s why we’re depressed when understimulated and harrowingly anxious when overstimulated- again, broken dopamine receptors; we need tasks and activities that kickstart the production of dopamine. It’s why we can’t process unclear instructions or initiate tasks ourselves, or even pinpoint consequences that should happen instead of a whole pile of possible things that could go wrong.

It’s also why we either have trouble creating routines and planning for difficult busywork, or even feel devastated when our routines somehow are broken by external factors. It’s why we have trouble being aware of social cues or evaluating ourselves. It’s one of the many, many, MANY reasons why we’re called ‘lazy’ or ‘distracted’ or ‘oversensitive’.

It’s why we have to mentally rehearse conversations, meetings and phone calls. It’s why we’re more susceptible to trauma, gaslighting, abuse and manipulation. It’s why adults with ADHD are invalidated and infantilized. It’s why it escalates to the point, if gone untreated, where neurodivergents begin to question their judgement and sanity to the point where they can’t even trust themselves (speaking from past experiences here).

Not having what should be a basic skill and right is damning and pathetic and eternally condemning for us, and neurotypicals with intact executive functioning don’t even realize it.

I searched a long time for the proper term to describe my near-constant exhaustion, struggles with object impermanence and the sheer mental exhaustion that came with ADHD upon trying to live up to neurotypical standards every day before I found this term. Was it depression? Anxiety? Maybe another obscure mental condition I hadn’t heard about?

Turns out depression and anxiety were offshoots of my initial untreated condition, although they have significantly calmed down and became only mild as of now (thanks to masking, some therapy sessions and scolding from my parents that medicine was expensive and that I was ‘living my life wrong’).

So, reminder: If you are experiencing Executive Dysfunction, or if you have ADHD or are neurodivergent in any way… hang in there. Like all things good and bad, this too shall eventually pass, even if not fully. Even with your condition, you’re doing your best, and no one has the right to hold you to neurotypical standards or tell you that you’re just ‘lazy’ or ‘scatterbrained’. 

You’re doing spectacularly, the best that you can, and I’m SO proud of you.

Walk this world with that same pride, alright? There will always be someone out there who believes in you, and I choose to be that person.

#ADHD #ADHD feels #ADHD shit #ADHD problems #ADHD vent #tw vent #vent post #neurodivergent #actually ADHD #tw ableism #Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder #tw angry #tw family issues #tw depression mention #tw intrusive/harmful thoughts #educational post #executive dysfunction

[polypeptide2]

Eight Main Benefits of Nootropic Peptide Selank

1.What is Selank?

Selank is a synthetic analogue of tuftsin, designed to be short in length. It possesses remarkable anti-anxiety properties, as well as the ability to enhance memory and learning. Additionally, Selank has demonstrated beneficial effects on pain perception.

2. How does Selank work?

Selank, a regulatory peptide, modulates various processes in the body. While it was previously believed that Selank directly affects GABA receptors and their binding to GABA, clinical trials suggest that Selank acts as an allosteric effector of GABA receptors instead.

Furthermore, Selank has been shown to stimulate the metabolism of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, thereby influencing the expression of genes related to neurotransmission in neuronal cells. Additionally, Selank promotes the expression of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein important for neuronal survival and growth.

3. What are eight main benefits of nootropic peptide Selank?

Anxiety Reduction. Selank has been reported to possess anxiolytic properties, meaning it may help reduce anxiety. It is believed to interact with neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, which are involved in regulating mood and anxiety. By modulating these neurotransmitters, Selank may promote feelings of relaxation and reduce anxiety symptoms.

Mood Enhancement. Users have reported improvements in mood and emotional well-being when using Selank. It may help stabilize mood, increase feelings of happiness and contentment, and reduce negative emotions such as irritability or sadness. By influencing neurotransmitter levels, Selank may contribute to a more positive and balanced mood.

Cognitive Enhancement. Selank is often regarded as a nootropic due to its potential cognitive-enhancing effects. It may improve various aspects of cognitive function, including memory, focus, attention, and learning speed. Some studies suggest that Selank enhances the release and metabolism of neurotransmitters involved in cognitive processes, such as acetylcholine and dopamine, leading to improved cognitive performance.

Stress Reduction. Chronic stress can have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health. Selank may help mitigate the impact of stress by regulating stress hormone levels, such as cortisol, and modulating the stress response in the body. By promoting a more balanced stress response, Selank may reduce the negative effects of chronic stress and promote overall well-being.

Antidepressant Effects. While further research is needed, Selank has shown potential as an adjunct treatment for depression. It may act as an antidepressant by influencing neurotransmitters associated with mood regulation, such as serotonin and dopamine. By modulating these neurotransmitters, Selank may help alleviate depressive symptoms and improve overall mood.

Neuroprotective Effects. Some studies suggest that Selank has neuroprotective properties, meaning it may help protect neurons from damage or degeneration. It may support the survival and growth of neurons and promote neuronal plasticity, which is important for learning and memory. These neuroprotective effects of Selank could have implications for the prevention or management of neurodegenerative conditions.

4. Side effects of Selank?

Selank’s most frequent side effects are:

Anxiety

Headaches

Nausea

Dizziness

Fatigue

There are also some less frequently reported side effects of Selank, which include:

Insomnia

Irritability

Muscle cramps

Joint pain

Selank should be stopped if any of these side effects persist, or worsen.

5. What is the recommended dosage for Selank?

The recommended dosage for Selank can vary depending on several factors, including individual response, desired effects, and the specific formlof administration (subcutaneous injection or intranasal spray). It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional or refer to reliable sources forl accurate dosage guidance.

While specific recommendations may vary, a commonly suggested dosage range for Selank is:

Subcutaneous Injection: the recommended dosage typically falls within the range of 100 to 300 micrograms (mcg) once per day.

Intranasal Administration (Nasal Spray): the recommended dosage generally ranges from 750 to 1,000 mcg once per day. If needed, this dosage can be divided into several smaller doses throughout the day.

#Selank #Nootropic Peptide #Eight Main Benefits #Polypeptide #Semax #popular peptide #Anxiety reduction #Cognitive enhancement #Antidepressant Effects

[nickgerlich]

Imagine This

Amid all the talk about the US and other nations possibly banning TikTok, the states and universities already doing so, and worries about national security, no one has raised the $64,000 question: What would life be like without it?

At the personal level, that’s an easy one. I seldom if ever use it, and could easily live without it. But what about those people who spend multiple hours each day on it, those influencers relying on it to push their content and to make money, those businesses doing likewise? Now you’re starting to step on toes.



But there is such a place on this orb that has gone without TikTok for three years now: Hong Kong. And it’s not because this special administrative region of China banished the social media app or anything. No, TikTok deselected itself from the region entirely. There was a new national security law that went into effect on 1st July 2020, which allowed police to request user data without a warrant.

Whoa. That’s serious stuff. And think about it. This caused TikTok to blink hard enough to pull its service entirely. Compare this to how hard it has defended itself to Congress.

While TikTok had not become quite as ubiquitous there as it is in the States today, it was still a powerful medium. Pulling the plug meant that local businesses and influencers had to start all over on other platforms, like Instagram. I’m sure it was very disruptive, but at the same time, it’s not like there weren’t other social media sites to while away the day for casual users. Can you say infinite scroll?

While we are pondering a city that has already gone without TikTok, let us now consider the extreme: a place with no social media whatsoever. I know. It’s hard to imagine. Heck, we wouldn’t have much need for this class, because digital marketing could be tucked away into other courses. 



All we have to do is turn back the clock 21 years, to when Friendster launched, followed by MySpace (2003) and Facebook (2004). Sure, there were a few feeble attempts at what could loosely be called social media before then, like Classmates, as well as the many discussion boards and listservs. But that’s like saying the Blackberry was a smartphone. Close, but no cigar.

For most of my students, that would be a time when they were mere toddlers. In other words, you have only known a time when social media was present. And that is a big part of the reason why you are called digital natives. You have known nothing else.

Now imagine it all gone. That’s like asking an old timer like me to imagine life without television. Of course, I can imagine life without landline phones, because we did away with those in recent years. But television? No way.

Were we to do away with all social media, meaning all the usual suspects as well as YouTube, because that is as much a social platform as any of the others, our lives would be very different. We would plausibly have a lot more free time, or at least time to do other things. You know that Weekly Screen Time thing that Apple sends to its users every Sunday? Mine is bad bad bad.

We also would not have to be concerned about the effects of social media on young girls, which research has shown has serious negative effects. Think self-esteem as well as fears over their location being revealed.

Furthermore, the culture of narcissism that has blossomed during the social media era would be put back in its box. We would have to resort to other ways to admire ourselves. We’d have to find other ways to get that dopamine rush that comes with getting online affirmations. Maybe we’d have to join softball or bowling leagues, choirs, acting troupes, whatever in order to get the attaboys and attagirls that we all crave.

I also see how my social media behavior has changed in recent years, most notably since COVID and a highly contentious election. Today, I consume social media for entertainment. I post one, maybe two, items a day, but always steer clear of engaging people in conversations that will likely require multiple comments back and forth. If this sounds like an argument, you would be right. I have better things to do. Or, as I say to myself every day, “I do not suffer fools gladly.” Repeat after me.

But while it might be fun to consider a world without social media, I’m not so sure it would be as great as we might think. Consider our ability to stay in touch with people from the many chapters of our lives. At the tender young age of 25, you may not think that to be much, but add four decades, and suddenly you have many chapters with many players. I do not want to imagine the rest of my life without all of those connections.

And then there are the limitations of physical geography. In a world without social media, we are limited to knowing people with whom we could come in actual contact. But thanks to Facebook, et al., we can meet many new people, and sometimes even make friends or find spouses. It’s a lot harder to do that if you just hang out at the same old bar.

We would also have to revert to old information sources to stay on top of the news. My feed is carefully curated to local and national media so that I have all the news that’s fit to print, along with long-read features from reputable magazines. I would miss that, and in many regards, my life would become more complicated without it.

Finally, what else would I do during fits of insomnia? I know. Experts tell us that we should sleep in total darkness, and the light emitted by our phones will only make us more awake. But I read to get sleepy. Without all the scrolling or autoplaying of reels, I would have to do what I did in the Stone Age: Turn on the lamp and pick up a book or magazine. I’m pretty sure that’s quite a bit worse when it comes to all that light.

Yeah, I can imagine a world without TikTok, if only because I am not particularly engaged. But when it comes to social media, it, like so many other changes we have discussed this term, has already left the station. And maybe, like Ozzy Osbourne, we’re going off the rails on this crazy train.

It’s just that I don’t know that I want to go back to the station.


Dr “The Media Sells It And You Live The Role“ Gerlich

Audio Blog

#marketing #socialmedia