dopamine: sense of pleasure
Posted inHealth Blog

Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure

Dopamine can provide an intense feeling of reward. Dopamine is most notably involved in helping us feel pleasure as part of the brain’s reward system. Sex, shopping, and smelling pie baking in the oven can all cause dopamine release, often known as a "dopamine rush."This feel-good neurotransmitter also plays a role in reinforcement. That is why, after tasting one of those pies, we may return for another (or two, or three). Dopamine's darker side is…
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endorphin: pain reliever
Posted inHealth Blog

Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever

Endorphins can also release stress and create a feeling of well-being. The body's natural painkillers are endorphins. Endorphins are peptide hormones released by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in reaction to pain or stress. They relieve pain while also creating a general sense of well-being. The term "endogenous morphine" inspired the naming of these hormones. They're called "endogenous" since they're made in our bodies. Morphine is the name of the opioid painkiller that they imitate.…
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mother and child-oxytocin
Posted inHealth Blog

Oxytocin: The Love Hormone

Oxytocin can help us bond with loved ones and can be released through touch, music and exercise. Oxytocin is a hormone that’s produced in the hypothalamus, which is then released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland.Its primary function is to promote childbirth, which is one of the reasons it is called the "love drug" or "love hormone." Oxytocin causes the contraction of uterine muscles while also increasing the production of prostaglandins, which also intensify…
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HIV research cure
Posted inNews

WOMAN CURED OF HIV

According to a presentation at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) on Tuesday 15th February, a woman with HIV who got a cord blood stem cell transplant to treat acute myeloid leukemia has had no detectable HIV levels for 14 months despite stopping antiretroviral medication (ART). This is the third documented case of HIV remission following a stem cell transplant. The study which was led by Yvonne Bryson, M.D., of the University of…
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