In the New York Times there's an article on how the mayor of San Fransisco, Gavin Newsom, has proposed a tax on high fructose soft drinks saying they are play a major role in the obesity epidemic.
This is a poor idea given that high fructose corn syrup can easily be replaced with cane sugar, having little effect on the taste of the beverage, but just as many negative health consequences.
Also, the tax would result in increased revenue for for the state but be of little benefit to the public.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
A Mini Essay On Antidepressants And Violence
Interestingly, antidepressants like Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil have been linked to violent behavior in users. Several studies have verified a connection between antidepressant medication and violent behavior in youth. One involving hamsters found that SSRI's in low doses bind fluoxetine to serotonin through aggression producing receptors. These receptors can produce violent thoughts and behavior when activated.
Also notable in the study is evidence that adults may actually experience violent-inhibiting behavior from taking antidepressants. This is due to the fact that as fluoxetine levels increase, the fluoxetine binds to serotonin through aggression-inhibiting receptors. And since adults are prescribed significantly higher doses then children, the fluoxetine is bound through the violent-inhibiting receptors causing them to experience what could be called "peaceful" behavior.
Strangely enough, rumors through various forms of media have been circulating about how antidepressant medication has played a role in what has apparently become an "epidemic" of shootings and mass murder. One website, SSRI Stories, has an extensive list of cases where violent acts have been committed by individuals on antidepressant medication. The creators of the site, as well as many other activists, seem certain that medication is the cause of violent crime.
These activists fail to take into account the mass desensitization thats been occurring through the popularization of television and movies. According to the book, Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television in American Society, by the time someone reaches the age of 18 they have seen 8,000 murders and approximately 100,000 acts of violence. With so many people becoming desensitized to violent behavior, it is not surprising that more people have acted out.
Also, these activists have insufficient data to support their claims. Usually, they use lists and not percentage-based data in order to support their arguments. In other words, they do not shown that people on antidepressants have higher rates of homicide than people who are not on antidepressants. This is a serious methodological failure on their part, since you cannot make a conclusion simply based on a list of cases with related events without first proving the events are dependent.
Also notable is that the use of antidepressants has increased significantly since they were first popularized in the 80's, yet violent crime rates have dropped by 60% over the past 25 years. Obviously, if antidepressants are having an effect on violent crime, then it is most likely that their effects are insignificant. Some activists may claim that while crime rates have gone down, it is still possible for crimes induced by antidepressants to go up. However, this is unlikely.
Lastly, it's also important to note that antidepressants are saving the lives of many people already suffering from depression. A recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed that after antidepressant treatment, suicide rates drop by at least 50 percent. So even if there were a small number of people who did die from "massacre" shootings caused by antidepressants, many more lives are saved because of emotional assistance from the medication.
As a consequence, antidepressants are actually reducing violence and, therefore, it is not the antidepressants that are the cause of violent crime. Rather, it is individuals who choose to harm innocent people. If anything can be said about antidepressants, it's that they are mitigating the symptoms of depression and preventing what could be a epidemic of suicide.
Also notable in the study is evidence that adults may actually experience violent-inhibiting behavior from taking antidepressants. This is due to the fact that as fluoxetine levels increase, the fluoxetine binds to serotonin through aggression-inhibiting receptors. And since adults are prescribed significantly higher doses then children, the fluoxetine is bound through the violent-inhibiting receptors causing them to experience what could be called "peaceful" behavior.
Strangely enough, rumors through various forms of media have been circulating about how antidepressant medication has played a role in what has apparently become an "epidemic" of shootings and mass murder. One website, SSRI Stories, has an extensive list of cases where violent acts have been committed by individuals on antidepressant medication. The creators of the site, as well as many other activists, seem certain that medication is the cause of violent crime.
These activists fail to take into account the mass desensitization thats been occurring through the popularization of television and movies. According to the book, Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television in American Society, by the time someone reaches the age of 18 they have seen 8,000 murders and approximately 100,000 acts of violence. With so many people becoming desensitized to violent behavior, it is not surprising that more people have acted out.
Also, these activists have insufficient data to support their claims. Usually, they use lists and not percentage-based data in order to support their arguments. In other words, they do not shown that people on antidepressants have higher rates of homicide than people who are not on antidepressants. This is a serious methodological failure on their part, since you cannot make a conclusion simply based on a list of cases with related events without first proving the events are dependent.
Also notable is that the use of antidepressants has increased significantly since they were first popularized in the 80's, yet violent crime rates have dropped by 60% over the past 25 years. Obviously, if antidepressants are having an effect on violent crime, then it is most likely that their effects are insignificant. Some activists may claim that while crime rates have gone down, it is still possible for crimes induced by antidepressants to go up. However, this is unlikely.
Lastly, it's also important to note that antidepressants are saving the lives of many people already suffering from depression. A recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed that after antidepressant treatment, suicide rates drop by at least 50 percent. So even if there were a small number of people who did die from "massacre" shootings caused by antidepressants, many more lives are saved because of emotional assistance from the medication.
As a consequence, antidepressants are actually reducing violence and, therefore, it is not the antidepressants that are the cause of violent crime. Rather, it is individuals who choose to harm innocent people. If anything can be said about antidepressants, it's that they are mitigating the symptoms of depression and preventing what could be a epidemic of suicide.
Friday, December 7, 2007
MyBrainTrainer.com Raises IQ
A few months ago, while doing some IQ research I discovered a web site which claimed it could raise IQ through specialized "brain exercises." I did more research and found a study at the University of Texas claiming that users of the site had, on average, an eight point increase in IQ. Naturally, I was a bit skeptical even after reading about the study since it seemed to be conducted using poor methodology. However, the site was only 9.95 for a three month subscription. After a few weeks of using the site I can honestly say that I feel more responsive and mentally sharper. I would highly recommend this web site to anyone who would like to feel mentally healthier.
On a side note, I have been studying for the LSAT during this time and haven't noticed a large difference in my test scores. This tells me that the LSAT has less to do with IQ then it does other abilities. However, it is most likely that people with higher IQ's develop abilities (i.e. logical reasoning, reading comprehension, etc..) more extensively because they are smarter and enjoy the complexity. I plan on writing more about the LSAT-IQ relationship later in my blog.
On a side note, I have been studying for the LSAT during this time and haven't noticed a large difference in my test scores. This tells me that the LSAT has less to do with IQ then it does other abilities. However, it is most likely that people with higher IQ's develop abilities (i.e. logical reasoning, reading comprehension, etc..) more extensively because they are smarter and enjoy the complexity. I plan on writing more about the LSAT-IQ relationship later in my blog.
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