Why itching can make you so much more itchy

Turns out the theory that scratching an itch causing it to become itchier is indeed correct. Washington University discovered this through the testing of genetically modified mice. They found that when you scratch an itch, not only is it satisfying, but the pain caused by doing this releases serotonin in the brain (Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in aging, growth, bone metabolism and helps us to regulate our moods). 

Now serotonin is the body’s natural response when controlling pain, so when it is produced it makes its way to the spinal cord, but does not always stay on its intended path, and as a result can sometimes manipulate nerve cells that increase the intensity of an itch. 

Researchers discovered this through breading genetically altered mice that had no genes to produce serotonin, when the researchers administered an itching agent through injection, they observed that the mice itched far less that the mice with a normal amount of serotonin (Man all this talk of itching is making me itch!).

This process can be explained in a much more detailed manner, but at the risk of not making sense I decided to put it as simply as possible, if you are interested in this research then visit the link below to find out more :)

 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141030132957.htm 

How simply coming in contact with shopping receipts can increase health risks

This title may seem quite idiosyncratic but I promise there is just reasoning behind it.

There is a chemical called BPA (Bisphenol A) that is used in a wide range of consumer products such as water, beverage containers, and cash register receipts. Scientists have found that high levels of BPA in the human system can be traced back to contact with shopping receipts, this is down to the use of moisturising products and sanitizers which when applied increases the absorption rate of BPA.

This product was first designed as an artificial estrogen supplement (The fact that it is now used for everyday products does indeed confuse me). BPA has been found to disrupt our hormonal signalling mechanisms which in turn can cause reproductive defects in both fetuses, children and adults on top of other health issues. 

With evidence like this, a safer more risk free alternative should be developed. especially with the everyday use of beauty products.

 Even hand sanitizer use will be on the increase in order to prevent the accumulation of illnesses that winter brings us. 

If you would like to read more on the subject then you can follow the link below :)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141022143628.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28Latest+Science+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

My thoughts on "Introducing Freud, a graphic guide to the father of Psychoanalysis"

I have just recently finished reading "Introducing Freud, a graphic guide to the father of Psychoanalysis" and I found it very informative. The fact that it is a graphic guide may cause scepticism on its ability to enlighten the reader with depth and insight, I also felt this way, but I was proven wrong. 

The book goes through Freud's life at every stage, all the way from his early days in Vienna to his death in 1939. I found it particularly fascinating how he encountered so many academically influential people throughout his life and how his inspirations derived from a variety of Greek anecdotes. And of course it explains Freud’s most famous work such as Psychoanalyses and his controversial use of sexual symbolism to explain subconscious behaviour.

This book is for anyone who has an interest in Freud or any of his work, it’s very easy to read, and is portrayed in a way that is easily remembered. 

Scratching the surface of our genetic makeup.

 Not many people think of themselves on a molecular level, mainly due to the complexity related to the subject. But once delved into genetics is a fascinating topic, it throws prodigious knowledge at you, all the while engrossing you further into the subject (which I assure you increases in intricacy).



As an organism we are made up of cells, these are the smallest functional unit of an organism. Within the cells is a nucleus which is what controls the cell, the nucleus contains what we call chromosomes. Most human cells contain 46 chromosomes spread across 22 pairs which are called autosomes, the remaining pair are what decides our sex, the XX and XY chromosomes (XX for females and XY for males). Hopefully I worded that in a way that’s easy to understand.

A chromosome consists of DNA which in turn is made up of genes, Chromosomes are best understood as a sort of storage unit for genes, and as we all know a gene is what makes up our genetic information. 

DNA is made up of four chemical bases:

1. Adenine 

2. Guanine 

3. Cytosine 

4. Thymine 

And within these bases is where information is stored, the chemicals are found within the bridges between the double helix of our DNA. For a visual aid see figure 1. 

Figure 1 

At the risk of not being able to simplify effectively I will not venture into genetics any further. My explanation allows for people to understand the very basics of genetics which can act as a foundation for anyone that would like to learn more on the subject. I appreciate this subject is not accustomed to everyone’s taste but it does not stop the fact that it is incredibly interesting. The perplexing nature of genetics is something that just causes my interest to increase in an attempt at understanding the subject as much as possible. Regardless of its interest I do find myself in the occasional state of mental madness, sitting in my room hunched over books and a keyboard for hours on end questioning reality like a crazy man, but hay if you love it, what does it matter :) I hope that some of my posts are of interest to those that come across this blog, and wish everyone well.