A Popular Treatment for Nicotine Addiction Can Also Cut Cravings Among Crystal Meth Addicts, a US Study Suggests. Crystal meth - the commonly used term for methamphetamine - is a cheap and addictive drug that has become a massive problem in the US in recent years. It increases alertness and creates sensations of euphoria in users by stimulating the generation of dopamine and norepinephrine - neurotransmitters within the regions of the brain responsible for feelings of pleasure. Bupropion - the active chemical ingredient found in the nicotine addiction drug, Zyban, as well as the anti-depressant Wellbutrin - was found to reduce the drug-induced high experienced by methamphetamine users and also to lessen their urge to take the drug in response to visual cues, in a study by researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). [continues 319 words]
The relentless influx of emails, cellphone calls and instant messages received by modern workers can reduce their IQ by more than smoking marijuana, suggests UK research. Far from boosting productivity, the constant flow of messages and information can seriously reduce a person's ability to focus on tasks, the study of office workers found. Eighty volunteers were asked to carry out problem solving tasks, firstly in a quiet environment and then while being bombarded with new emails and phone calls. Although they were told not to respond to any messages, researchers found that their attention was significantly disturbed. [continues 232 words]
