The Excessive TV-Watching will cause Dementia, Depression and Parkinson’s Disease

In a digital age where screens often dominate our daily lives, a recent study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity offers a thought-provoking insight into the health implications of our viewing habits. This comprehensive analysis, led by Dr. Hanzhang Wu of Tianjin University of Traditional Medicine, China, reveals a concerning correlation between excessive television-watching and an increased risk of dementia, Parkinson's Disease (PD), and depression.

The Study: A Deep Dive into Digital Habits and Health

The research tapped into the UK Biobank, analyzing data from 473,184 individuals aged 39-72 years, followed from 2006 to either a diagnosis of dementia, PD, depression, death, or the study's end. Participants reported their non-work related activities, including exercise, TV-watching, and computer use, alongside undergoing MRI scans to measure brain volume.

The Findings: TV Time and Its Toll

The study's results paint a stark picture: those who indulged in over four hours of TV daily faced a 28% higher risk of dementia, a 35% higher risk of depression, and a 16% greater risk of PD compared to those who watched less than an hour. These figures stand as a cautionary tale against the sedentary lifestyle often associated with excessive TV consumption.

A Silver Lining: Moderate Computer Use

Contrastingly, the study found that moderate computer use (30-60 minutes per day) appeared somewhat protective, lowering the risks for dementia, PD, and depression. This finding challenges the blanket notion that all screen time is detrimental, suggesting that the content and context of digital consumption are key factors.

Exercise: A Vital Substitute

Perhaps most strikingly, replacing just 30 minutes of computer time with structured exercise significantly reduced the risks for dementia and PD. This highlights the immense value of physical activity as a cornerstone of neurological health.

Understanding the Underlying Mechanism

The researchers speculate that the negative impact of prolonged TV-watching might stem from its sedentary nature, which is linked to low-grade inflammation. This inflammation could contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, accelerating the onset of diseases like dementia and PD.

Limitations and Considerations

While the study offers valuable insights, it's crucial to note its reliance on self-reported data, which can be subject to recall bias. Additionally, there may be other confounding variables not accounted for in the research.

The Takeaway: Rethinking Our Screen Habits

This study serves as a wake-up call to reassess our daily routines. It suggests that while moderate, purposeful screen use (like computer work) can be part of a healthy lifestyle, excessive, passive screen time (like prolonged TV-watching) might have dire health implications.

 In Practice: Balancing Screen Time with Active Living

For individuals and healthcare professionals alike, the message is clear: balance is key. Integrating regular physical activity into our routines and being mindful of our screen habits could be crucial steps in safeguarding our neurological health.

As we navigate a world increasingly oriented around digital screens, this study underscores the importance of staying active and engaged in a variety of activities. It's not just about cutting screen time; it's about enhancing our overall lifestyle to nurture our physical and mental well-being.

Magic Mushrooms could replace Anti-depressants!

I started reading this article in the Indepedent with a curious mind! Interest in the potential medical uses for psychedelics, such as “magic mushrooms” and LSD, has rapidly increased in recent years, leading to the opening of the world’s first formal center for psychedelics research in April — and the center’s leader is already prepared to make a bold prediction about the future of psychedelics in medicine. The ideas are bloomed since the cannabis oil became a prescribed medicine recently.

Emotional Release

Carhart-Harris is currently leading a Centre for Psychedelic Research trial to compare the ability of psilocybin, or “magic,” mushrooms and leading antidepressants to treat depression.

He told The Independent that so far, participants are reporting that the psilocybin leaves them feeling like they’ve experienced an emotional “release,” while patients often criticize antidepressants for making them feel like their emotions are “blunted.”

Wishful Thinking

Given the ‘positive’ feedback from study participants and psilocybin mushrooms’ extremely low risk for overdose or addiction, it’s not hard to see why Carhart-Harris is optimistic that doctors will soon be able to use psychedelics to treat patients. Although, we know that the ‘magic’ mushrooms are abundantly available in the streets and self medicating is not uncommon in UK. 

Another psychedelics researcher, James Rucker from King’s College London, isn’t so sure about Carhart-Harris’ timeline (which I’m not comfortable either), telling The Independent that five years is “possible… but only if everything goes to plan, and you know what they say about best-laid plans.”
So next time when you travel through M1,  look out for majestic magic mushroom fields! 

READ MORE: Magic mushrooms could replace antidepressants within five years, says new psychedelic research centre [The Independent]

Intrusive thoughts and Mind Control

Intrusive Thoughts Might Be Caused By a Shortage of a Certain Chemical

Scientists have linked a neurotransmitter known as GABA to unwanted and intrusive thoughts. These findings could have a major impact on our understanding of conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia

DON’T THINK ABOUT IT
Most of us know the feeling of being unable to distract ourselves from a particular thought, however much we might want to. Now, scientists might have found the reason why.

In a study carried out at the University of Cambridge, participants were given pairs of words to associate with one another. The words were unrelated in order to ensure that pre-existing associations didn’t have any influence. Participants were then given a word and either a green or a red signal. If it was the former, they would try to recall the other half of the pairing, and if it was the latter, they would try to deliberately suppress the associated term from their mind.

While this test was being carried out, participants’ brains were monitored using functional magnetic resonance imaging, a technique that monitors changes in blood flow, as well as magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which tracks chemical changes.

Participants with the highest concentrations of a chemical known as Gaba in their hippocampus were best at suppressing the unwanted thoughts. Gaba is the brain’s primary inhibiting neurotransmitter, stifling the activities of other cells when it’s released.

“What’s exciting about this is that now we’re getting very specific,” said Professor Michael Anderson, who led the study, in an interview with the BBC. “Before, we could only say ‘this part of the brain acts on that part’, but now we can say which neurotransmitters are likely to be important.”

MIND CONTROL
A difficulty with or an inability to break free from intrusive and unwanted thoughts are a reality both for neurotypical people and also for those with various types of mental illness. Conditions ranging from obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder to depression and schizophrenia all count this type of behaviour among their symptoms.

As such, there are hopes that these findings could offer further insight into the chemical basis of these disorders. At present, much of the research into treatment methods has centered around helping the prefrontal cortex to function normally. However, Anderson believes that figuring out a way to promote Gaba activity in the hippocampus could actually offer more positive results.