Addiction Commonality

Alcohol, Opiates, Fat and Sugar are all Addictive Substances: this blog is about that "addiction sameness".

Butter Pig Family

* A butter sculpture of a sow and her piglets

Monday, November 3, 2025

Dirty Pictures | Full Documentary | Alexander Shulgin | Ann Shulgin




Dirty Pictures | Full Documentary | Alexander Shulgin | Ann Shulgin | Ted Shulgin | Bob Seager

https://youtu.be/aZLkAMDO5dI


 
Explore the mind of Alexander Shulgin, the genius behind MDMA's synthesis, more commonly known as Ecstasy. This riveting documentary dives into the heart of psychedelic research, merging chemistry, neuroscience, and philosophy to question the untapped potentials of the human mind.

2010 American Documentary: Psychedelic Science Unveiled

The film presents an intimate look at Alexander Shulgin's pioneering work, his synthesis of over 200 psychedelic compounds, including MDMA, and his profound influence on psychoactive drug research. The narrative is enriched by contributions from Ann and Ted Shulgin, continuing the family's legacy in exploring psychedelic substances, with additional insights from experts like pharmacologist William Fantegrossi. 

Directed by Etienne Sauret, this documentary not only celebrates Shulgin's scientific achievements but also navigates the complexities of his role as a controversial figure in the realm of psychedelic studies. Nominated for the 2010 SXSW Grand Jury Award in Documentary Feature, 'Dirty Pictures' offers a rare glimpse into Shulgin's laboratory and his challenges, underscoring the documentary's deep exploration of science, society, and the quest for understanding the human psyche.

This documentary is a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the intersection of science and consciousness, offering an unparalleled insight into the life and work of one of the most influential figures in psychedelic research.

The controversy surrounding psychedelic scientific research hinges on a delicate balance between groundbreaking potential and societal apprehension. At the heart of this debate is the transformative power of psychedelics to alter human consciousness, offering unprecedented insights into the mind, potential therapeutic applications for mental health conditions, and a deeper understanding of our cognitive processes. However, this exploration comes with challenges, notably the stigma and legal constraints rooted in decades of prohibition and negative public perception. 

Director: Etienne Sauret
Stars: Alexander Shulgin, Ann Shulgin, Ted Shulgin, Bob Seager, David Nichols, William Fantegrossi.



Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Willie Nelson - Are You Sure



  


Look around you
Look down the bar from you
At the faces that you see
Are you sure this is where you want to be?

These are your friends
But are they real friends?
Do they love you as much as me?
Are you sure this is where you want to be?


https://youtu.be/Mk4llZw_Zj0


Sunday, October 26, 2025

92-year-Old Sprinter’s Muscles Baffle Scientists, Resemble Those In Their 20s

 


Her secret, if she has one, is neither a miracle supplement nor a hidden training formula. It is consistency, joy and the refusal to surrender to stillness.

The 92-year-old wonder with muscle cells of sprinters in their 20s

By Olivier Acuña Barba • Published: 24 Aug 2025 • 


Emma Maria Mazzenga is 92 years of age but has the muscle cells of someone in their 20s Credit: Federazione Italiana di Atletica Leggera

 


Emma Maria Mazzenga has the world wondering how she does it, and scientists studying her muscles, nerves, and mitochondria, the cell powerhouse, to gain a better understanding of how she’s able to keep running at 92 and beating her own records.

She’s simply amazing. Emma dislocated her shoulder during a race in Germany a dozen years ago because she threw herself ahead of a competitor to win the race. “The woman next to me was about to overtake me,” Mazzenga said. She was 79 at the time. “Now, Mazzenga, who lives in Padua, Italy, is running out of competition,” wrote the Washington Post in a special report about her. “At 5-foot-1, she’s an elite sprinter with four age-group world records to her name — and very few opponents to race against.” Last year, Mazzenga broke the outdoor 200-metre world record for women over 90 with a time of 51.47 seconds. A month later, she broke her own record by a second.

The US influential news outlet said that Mazzenga seems to possess cardiorespiratory fitness of someone in their 50s, and her muscle mitochondria function as well as a healthy 20-year-old, researchers studying her have said. Marta Colosio, a postdoctoral fellow at Marquette University and the first author of the case study, told the Washington Post she has not found another 90-year-old who can compare to Mazzenga. “She’s ageing, but she can do things that at 91, people can’t do.”

Mazzenga said “all hell broke loose” when the elderly sprinter broke the indoor 200-metre world record for her age group last January with a time of 54.47. “I ended up in the newspapers, something which had never happened before.” Scientists reached out to her, asking to study her. In the lab, researchers used a needle to collect a piece of muscle the size of a pencil eraser from Mazzenga’s quadriceps, recalled Chris Sundberg, a co-lead of the study on Mazzenga and the director of the Integrative Muscle Physiology and Energetics Laboratory at Marquette University. Under a microscope, Mazzenga’s muscle proved to be a mosaic of both the expected and extraordinary. Her fast-twitch muscle fibres, which are associated with speed, resembled those of a healthy 70-year-old. The truly fantastic thing came next. Mazzenga’s slow-twitch muscle fibres, which are associated with endurance activities, looked like those of a 20-year-old, as did the blood flow and nerve pathways to her muscles.

Mazzenga’s advice for other older athletes: Know your limits. Meet with your doctor first to ensure you are fit to run. Then, stay consistent and run multiple times a week. By studying elite older athletes, researchers can learn more about what’s possible as we age, said Sundberg.

 

  

  https://leadership.ng/92-year-old-sprinters-muscles-baffle-scientists-esemble-those-in-their-20s/

92-year-Old Sprinter’s Muscles Baffle Scientists, Resemble Those In Their 20s