Ecstasy :: essays research papers

â€Å"Ecstasy† Damages the Brain and Impairs Memory in Humans   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In an article that was found at NIDA NOTES on the Internet, titled â€Å"Ecstasy â€Å" Damages the Brain and Impairs Memory in Humans, discusses the horrible effect that this popular drug has on the human body. In a supported study conducted by NIDA, it had shown the direct evidence the use of MDMA, which is also known as ecstasy has on causing brain damage. Using brain-imaging techniques the study had found that MDMA harms neurons that release serotonin, which is a brain chemical that plays a very important roll in regulating memory and our other functions. In other studies researches have found that people who do this drug have memory problems only two weeks after doing the drug. MDA does change your brain and the consequences are harmful. This is mainly for young people who are using the drug the most heavily. In a brain imaging study, researches took brain scans of 14 MDA users who had not used any psychoactive drug, including MDA for th ree weeks. Brain images were also taken of 15 people who had never used MDMA. In the people who had used the drug the images had shown a significant reduction of the number of serotonin transporters. The results were that the people who had used MDMA lost more of these then people who had never done the drug before. The lost of memory was also tested on MDMA users. 24 MDMA users and 24 people who had never done the drug before were tested for memory. Compared to the non-MDMA users the MDMA users had significant trouble in visual and verbal memory. The side effects are growing, and it was proven that use of this drug could damage your brain and give you server memory loss.

Gestalt Psychology Reflection Essay

At almost the same time the behaviorist revolution was gathering strength in the United States, the Gestalt revolution was taking hold of German psychology. Gestalt theories followed the basic principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The main founders of Gestalt Psychology are Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka and Wolfgang KÃ ¶hler. Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka and Wolfgang Kohler worked in establishing theories of Gestalt Psychology. Kurt Koffka His main focus was in the field of cognition and psychological development. Wolfgang KÃ ¶hler also journeyed to Tenerife in the Canary Islands off Africa’ s, to study chimpanzees. KÃ ¶hler suggested that Gestalt theory was a general law of nature that should be extended to all the sciences. The six perceptual organization principles are as follows: Chapter 12 Figures 12.1 (a) (b) (c) (d) 1. Proximity: Parts that are placed close together, they tend to be perceived as a group (a), the circles in three double columns rather than as one large collection. 2. Continuity: There is a tendency in our perception to follow a direction, to connect the elements in a way that makes them seem continuous or flowing in a particular directions. (a) you tend to follow the columns of small circles from top to bottom. 3. Similarity: Similar parts tend to be seen together as forming a group. (b), the circles and the dots each appear to belong together, and you tend to perceive rows of circles and rows of dots instead of columns. 4. Simplicity: A good gestalt is symmetrical, simple and stable and cannot be made simpler. (c) are good Gestalt because they are clearly perceived as complete and organized 5. Closure: There is a tendency in our perception to complete figures, to fill in gaps. (c), you perceive three squares even though the figures are incomplete. 6. Figure/Ground: We tend to organize perceptions into the object being looked at and the background against which it appears. (d) the figure and the ground are reversible, you may see two faces or you may see a vase, depending on how your perception is organized. References Schultz, D. (2011). A history of modern psychology (10th edition) Chapter 12

Strontium - Elements in Fireworks

Metal salts are important in fireworks and other pyrotechnics. One of the most common metallic elements is strontium, which is atomic number 38 on the periodic table, with element symbol Sr. However, the pure metal isnt used. Fireworks are made using strontium salts, especially  strontium carbonate (SrCO3) and strontium nitrate (Sr(NO3)2). Strontium nitrate acts as both a colorant (the strontium part) and an oxidizer (the nitrate portion). Strontium salts impart a red color to fireworks. Strontium compounds are also important for stabilizing fireworks mixtures. Youll find it in emergency flares, including road flares and flare guns. Is Strontium Toxic? Strontium is one of the safest metals found in fireworks (biologically speaking). As with other metals, it has its uses, but overexposure can lead to problems. Strontium chloride is found in some toothpastes intended to reduce tooth sensitivity. It forms a barrier over the nerve endings in tooth dentin that is exposed by receding gums. Strontium supplements are available, said to aid bone health. In Europe, strontium ranelate is available by prescription to reduce fracture rate from osteoporosis. The strontium compounds available online or in the United States are more commonly strontium citrate or strontium chloride, which have not been shown to be effective for osteoporosis. While exposure to trace levels of strontium isnt a concern, taking a large amount of it is associated with side effects, including blood clots and heart damage. Sources J. Paul MacMillan, Jai Won Park, Rolf Gerstenberg, Heinz Wagner, Karl Kà ¶hler, Peter Wallbrecht Strontium and Strontium Compounds in  Ullmanns Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2005, Wiley-VCH: Weinheim.ONeill GT, Rolfe LR, Kaufman MH. Developmental potential and chromosome constitution of strontium-induced mouse parthenogenones (1991)  Mol. Reprod. Dev.30:214-219​.Pradyot Patnaik.  Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals. McGraw-Hill, 2002.