Lizard pill anyone?

The headlines this week are doctors muttering about the FDA’s decision to approved a new antiobesity drug called “Qnexa.” Qnexa is a combination of an already existing weight loss drug - phentermine and topiramate, an antiseizure agent – which is fondly knick-named ‘the stupid pill’ for some if its special side effects – forgetfulness, clumsiness and reduced overall braininess.

This has been followed up with a recent chemical breakthrough. A drug made from the saliva of the Gila monster lizard is the new treatment for chocolate cravings (no, we can’t imagine how they discovered this). Maybe if you take Qnexa you’ll be silly enough start swallowing lizard venom?

Go getters are just after their next 'fix'

Slacker or go-getter? Apparently it’s all about how much you’re willing to do for dopamine. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience used a brain mapping technique compare slackers vs go-getters

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It seems that some of us are hardwired to release rewarding amounts of dopamine while others are not.  Dopamine is the reward neurotransmitter essential for survival. It wires us to do things like eat, drink and propagate the species.  It’s also the neurotransmitter associated with addiction (we’ll do anything to get a ‘fix’ of dopamine).

Using a brain mapping technique called positron emission tomography (PETscan), the researchers found that "go-getters" release higher amounts dopamine in areas of the brain known to play an important role in reward and motivation. Slackers don’t.  Go getters will therefore continue to work hard so that we can get their next dopamine dose.

The bottom line is you should be demanding some neurochemicals to go with that pay rise.

The myth of multitasking

In a world of multimedia overload, maybe you’ve found yourself, reading a magazine, watching TV and scrolling through smses. We’re all guilty of it - media multitasking. But apparently we’re not very good at it.

In a recent study a group of researchers cornered some college students over a month, monitoring their media use. The findings showed that multitasking often gave the students an emotional boost, even when it hurt their cognitive functions, such as studying.

The study coordinator concluded that while we may believe multitasking makes us more productive, we’re all swallowing one big lie. What multitasking does do is boost our mood. Apparently the satisfaction of multiple jobs done is better than a job well done.  Multimedia keeps us happy and that’s why we keep doing it.