059 - Enacted Dreams, MDMA, and Chillin' Like a Monk - HealthHippieMD Week In Review

How Enacted Dreams Predict Parkinson's

Enacted dreams during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep may be an early sign of Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders, according to a Scientific American article. Known as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), this phenomenon affects a small percentage of the population and often precedes neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia. Researchers increasingly recognize RBD as a valuable early marker for these conditions, offering potential opportunities for early intervention and clinical trials to slow or prevent disease progression. Acting Out Dreams Predicts Parkinson's and Other Brain Diseases - Scientific American

Checklist for AI Self-Awareness Emerges

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, whether AI systems can become conscious is gaining traction. To address this, 19 experts, including neuroscientists, philosophers, and computer scientists, have developed a checklist of criteria that could indicate AI consciousness. Published in the arXiv preprint repository, their approach draws from six neuroscience-based theories of consciousness, emphasizing "phenomenal consciousness" or subjective experience. By assessing AI systems against these criteria, the authors aim to provide a more nuanced evaluation of consciousness potential in AI, highlighting the need for more precise theories of AI consciousness in the future. If AI Becomes Conscious, Here's How We Can Tell - Scientific American

New Book on Happiness

"The common strategy of trying to eliminate problems from life to get happier is futile and mistaken. We must instead look for the "why" of life to make our problems an opportunity for learning and growth," Arthur Brooks writes in Three Myths and Four Truths About How to Get Happier - The Atlantic. The column refers to his new book, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier, , co-written with Oprah.

Chillin' Like A Monk: The Quest for Biostasis

Can We Stop Time in the Body? - Nautilus delves into the intriguing concept of biostasis—essentially, hitting the pause button on the body's metabolic processes. The article begins with a captivating Tibetan ceremony involving monks sleeping and surviving a Himalayan mountainside in sub-freezing temperatures, sparking curiosity about the physiological mechanisms at play. DARPA's pioneering biostasis project aims to develop a drug that can temporarily halt metabolism, offering potential lifesaving benefits in emergencies. The article introduces SNC80, a drug that slows metabolism in tadpoles, showcasing its reversible effects without harm to vital organs. Although not a perfect solution, the quest for biostasis continues, inspired by nature's examples, from hibernating bears to the remarkable spiny desert mouse. Ultimately, the article highlights the fascinating pursuit of slowing down time within the human body.

How Artificial Intelligence Can Revolutionize Science

How artificial intelligence can revolutionize science was an interesting article in the Economist. It cited two ways AI could accelerate scientific discovery: "The first is "literature-based discovery" (LBD), which involves analyzing existing scientific literature, using ChatGPT-style language analysis, to look for new hypotheses, connections or ideas that humans may have missed." (I mentioned some of the emerging tools in a previous newsletter: 052 - Genetic Judo, Young Blood, and Gray Hair). "The second area is "robot scientists," also known as "self-driving labs." These robotic systems use AI to form new hypotheses, based on analysis of existing data and literature, and then test those hypotheses by performing hundreds or thousands of experiments, in fields including systems biology and materials science." And for more on this topic, see my friend and colleague, Gary Kantor's excellent LinkedIn article: Can Generative AI Close The Knowledge Gap?

The Happiest States in the Union

Utah Named the Happiest State in New Study Where does your state fit? Happiest States in America (2023)

Understanding Age-Related Forgetfulness

Ever find yourself at a loss for a familiar face or the whereabouts of your car keys? Don't fret; it's not just you. Our memory can take a quirky turn as we age, often leaving us in moments of blank confusion. The good news? It's usually nothing to worry about. While memory retrieval becomes less efficient in our fifties, it doesn't necessarily mean a problem. Experts suggest that embracing mindfulness, reducing multitasking, managing stress, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and even indulging in some cardiovascular exercise can keep your memory on its toes. If memory loss significantly disrupts your daily life, then it's time to chat with your doctor. Why Memory Lapses Are Not Always a Cause for Concern - The New York Times (gift article).

What OpenAI Really Wants

Wired had a long-form story on OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. What OpenAI Really Wants | WIRED

Anxiety and Creativity

Anxiety is not always a boon to creatives. "Depending on the situation, fear, and anxiety can inspire or impede. But when anxiety becomes overwhelming, creative work often stalls." Anxiety can often be a drag on creativity, upending the trope of the tortured artist.

MDMA for PTSD

"Results of a new study may offer regulators enough evidence to allow the psychedelic, also known as Ecstasy, to be considered for use as a PTSD treatment." MDMA Therapy for PTSD Inches Closer to U.S. Approval - The New York Times (gift article).