The Science Of Wellness – February Edition

I’m a chemist, and so, I’m a science nerd.  It’s O.K.  I accepted that fact a long time ago.  I suppose it’s inevitable that I would be interested in the science of wellness.  Sad, I know.  An unfortunate by-product is that I watch and follow developments in science, and so, I collect these stories.  Some of the research going on about health, wellness, and fitness is very good.  Some is a little more questionable.  Eventually, I feel compelled to share these, as well as my thoughts on the subjects.  Consider that my up-front apology.

Removing Memories

A few years ago, researchers started looking at the anti-hypertensive drug propranolol (Inderal) for its potential use in blocking traumatic memories.  The drug is a beta-blocker that has been commonly used off-label by musicians to alleviate stage-fright.  Dutch researchers have recently discovered that it can be used to block the pathways by which fear is linked to memories.  They have proven by electro-shock experiments (on people) that the fear response associated with traumatic memories can be blunted.  Contrary to the shock headlines, memories aren’t removed, their intensity is simply reduced.  This has tremendous potential to alleviate the suffering of people who suffer from conditions such as PTSD.

Does it open a Pandora’s box though?  Who decides what is traumatic?  From a biological perspective, the link between trauma and memories exists for a reason, and promotes survival as well as overall wellness.  If a child touches a hot stove, they learn through that response that its not a good idea to repeat that action.  What about a young teen dealing with a hard breakup?  Even worse, a new driver who has a near-miss at highway speeds?  That memory may be the catalyst to make them slow down and stop fiddling with their cellphone.  Maybe.

Memories associated with fearful moments are powerful.  Those moments are life’s teaching tools.  I’m not detracting from the plight suffered by those who have endured traumatic events, but the truth is that a little bit of pain and suffering in life shapes, molds, and teaches us what to avoid.  Tread carefully here.

Using Your Brain Burns Calories!

In more entertaining news, researchers now believe that our modern obesity problem can be tied back to the evolution of the “exceptionally large” human brain.  Seems like we’re forever blaming obesity on evolution.  I’ve got to say though – these guys apparently haven’t seen some of the drivers on U.S. roads…

For all the talk that weight loss “experts” make about “resting metabolic rate,” it turns out that we big-brained humans spend more calories feeding our brain than any other primate.  A full 25% of our resting calories goes toward that task.  Other primates expend about 10% of calories on that task, and mammals in general expend about half that again (5%).  This meant our ancestors spent more energy foraging and collecting food.  Not many of us do that these days.

I wonder if this provides any explanation as to why pulling an all-nighter in college inevitably lead to the consumption of large amounts of  pizza?

What do you think?  Are we opening a can of worms by messing with the association between memory and emotion?  Or (more humorous) is there a way to take advantage of the brain/calorie link to improve weight loss?