SENS: The New Model for Immortality

Dr. Aubrey de Grey is considered both insane
and a genius in the scientific community.

Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence, (SENS) is Dr. David de Grey's forward thinking theory of the aging process. Dr. de Grey is a biogerontologist studying the biological effects of aging on life forms. SENS is Bioengineering at the cellular level involving stem cells and gene therapy to explain how the body cannot just live longer but stay young. His aggressive theories on aging are shaking up the scientific community. He thinks aging research is moving far too slowly.

The Revolutionary Cambridge Meeting

In 2005, Dr. de Grey invited leading scientists from all over the world to Cambridge University discusses his revolutionary ideas on biology and aging. His goal was to bring together researchers of very different fields who normally don't talk to each other because they are work is so specialized. Molecular biologist, geneticists, stem cell cloning and gene therapy experts and bioengineers all came together in one forum to discuss bringing the SENS model into reality.

The Seven Point Plan

SENS involves systematically replacing defective or worn out parts of the body of the genetic and cellular level. The program hinges around a seven-point plan.

(1) Cell atrophy: cells that die off and are not naturally replaced such as those in the brain and the heart can be replaced manually to continue the function in maintaining the tissues of the heart and brain. Eliminating cell atrophy is the basis of stem cell research.

(2) Proliferation of unwanted cells: this refers to the fat cells that replace muscle and lead to diabetes. SENS suggest genetic modification of these types of cells could trigger them to attack themselves rather than the muscle tissue. Research in this field of genetics is controversial in its own right.

(3) Protein cross-links: formation of links between certain proteins that are the resulting loss of elasticity in tissues like artery walls that causes high blood pressure. Researchers are developing drugs that react with these links and break them.

(4) Accumulation of waste byproducts outside the cells: cellular garbage that that builds up outside the cells such as annelids in the brain that causes Alzheimer's.

(5) Accumulation of waste byproducts inside the cells: causes problems like hardening of the arteries and heart disease. Researchers are looking at designing genes and enzymes they can digest theseintra-cellular waste products.

(6) Mitochondrial mutations: aging damages the mitochondria that produces energy for the sales activities. Geneticists are looking at ways to adjust the mitochondrial DNA to fortify it from such mutations that occur during the aging process.

(7) Chromosomal mutations: runaway cell division such as cancer in theory can also be eradicated by making adjustments in the chromosomal DNA to fortify it from mutations.

The Issue of Ethics

Each of the seven points of the SENS program is not just highly controversial. Most of them are illegal in most of the countries of the world.

During the latter part of World War II, all the great physicists and engineers were brought together for one historical meeting to discuss the possibility of the atomic bomb. They pondered their moral responsibility and the implications the creation of such a destructive device would have on mankind. And they chose to create the device. Ironically, all the great thinkers came together at Cambridge University to discuss the possibility of vastly improving the functioning and health of the human body. But unfortunately, unlike the nuclear bomb, the research involved is too radical to be considered ethical by the nations of the world.

Afraid of People: Struggling with Social Anxiety

We are all familiar with that quiet kid at the back of the classroom, who never raised his hand. Typically, social anxiety disorder begins during the early teens. Teen often feels like an outsider, or simply someone who just doesn't fit in. Perhaps it's a coworker who rarely speaks at meetings. Someone has to ask their opinion. They display visible signs of fear or discomfort. We know people like this and we've all suffered through the own bouts of shyness. But for some people, shyness goes way beyond what most people could possibly imagine.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is the third most common mental disorder in our society after depression and substance abuse. Interface millions of people worldwide. But what does it feel like to suffer from this disorder, how does it affect families and what causes it? Scientists have recognized the disorder, learned something about the biology, and how common it is in the population. Few people with social anxiety disorder noted, there is very effective and safe treatment available to them. The focus of treatment is to restore confidence, security around friends at a higher level of comfort in the workplace and social gatherings.

People on the Edge

Social anxiety disorder doesn't just include anxiety around others. Those suffering with this disorder typically feel a general state of nervousness all the time. The anxiety is centered on dreading their day and the prospect of being around others. For some, the dread turns into panic. Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is among six main kinds of anxiety disorder psychologists now recognize and is considered the most common.

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder typically presents with a generalized uneasiness and over sensitivity to the perception of what others may be thinking. They will often describe themselves as paranoid, but this is not the case at all. The anxiety stems from an interpersonal state of insecurity. So every time they are around other people they feel constantly judged, criticized for evaluated by others. The feelings do not have to be validated. The mere perception alone results in the anxiety.

Loss of Potential

Another problem associated with social anxiety disorder is the loss of potential. These people tend to be the most sensitive and most caring people in our society and the ones we can learn the most from.

Seeking Treatment

The first step is to realize what you are feeling is not simply shyness. If you can rate your anxiety from mild discomfort at the thought of being around others to borderline panic while in a social group, this is not normal. If you're displaying physical signs as a result of being in the presence of others, such as sweating, fidgeting, shortness of breath this is not normal. Although treatment focuses on building self-confidence and building social habits every case is unique and thus requires unique approaches. If you suffer from social anxiety disorder you need not continue to suffer alone.

Caroline Berg Eriksen: Post-Pregnancy Fitness Controversy

Caroline Berg Eriksen just 3 days post-pregnancy

In the past one of the main concerns of pregnancy regarding ultra-fit women was potentially losing their figure. But today, it seems the ability to bounce back post pregnancy is the new wave in mommy fitness. Fitness writer and wife of soccer player, Lars-Kristian Eriksen, Caroline Berg Eriksen posted a stunning and provocative flat-stomach self-image on Instagram just days after giving birth.

Ironically, Mrs. Eriksen's amazing post pregnancy rebound has been met with mixed criticism. Many bloggers, news agencies, experts in social media posts around the world have put the photo under the public limelight in the past few days. Some claim Mrs. Eriksen's post pregnancy photo is yet another example of our obsession with beauty and the unrealistic expectations placed on women today.

Some accuse Eriksen's posting of her post-baby abdominals as merely nothing more than an act of self exhibitionism. The now famous photo does seem to be starting quite a bit of mixed P.R. for the fitness writer. Sarrah Le Marquand, writer for the Australian Telegraph tweeted Eriksen as a "shameless exhibitionist," but warned that the disparaging opinions regarding her photo only adds to the judgment new mothers must contend with post pregnancy.

Apart from Caroline Eriksen's post-baby photo controversy, most of the feedback has been positive with supporters congratulating the new mom on baby and fit tummy. But what does this most recent controversy about pregnancy and body image say about us as a society?

Maria Kang is a fitness blogger and mother who posted her ultra-fit post pregnancy photos on Facebook and even criticized other new moms who do not bounce back so quickly. While discussing her raw vegan diet, some wondered if Australian mom-to-be Loni Jane Anthony's diet was actually healthy for her baby. These incidents caught very little media attention leading us to ponder if the subject is less about content and more about celebrity.

Perhaps in the fray, we've all lost sight of what really matters. While it is important to stay fit the special time post pregnancy is a time for nurturing and bonding with the new addition to the family. If new mothers decide they wish to prioritize these first few days to spend time resting with their newborn who are we fitness nuts to criticize?

The Walking Dead: Krokodil in the US

Krokodil results in Necrotizing Fasciitis.
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Two Chicago area sisters are describing the horrifying side effects of the new designer drug, AmberKrokodil. and Angie Neitzel, sisters from the Chicago area, say they believed they were purchasing heroin but were given the new drug instead. When they began to seek the deep sores forming on the bodies they immediately check themselves and to the local hospital where was found they were suffering from necrosis.

Krokodil

Krokodil (desomorphine) is the new designer drug believed to have originated in Russia and has only recently begun cropping up in the United States. The drugs typically popular among heroin addicts because the effects are similar in the drug is much cheaper than heroin. But the resulting side effects of taking Krokodil are a debilitating deterioration of the bone, musculature and tissues.

Zombies

The users are typically referred to as zombies because the long-term use of Krokodil results in the flesh eating necrosis as well as greatly reduced neurological function. Krokodil is highly addictive, causing zombie-like symptoms and a slow painful death for many of its users. The recent emergence of the drug United States could soon have a major impact on the larger inner cities were high cases of heroin use heaven typically noted.

Cheaper and More Potent

It is speculated that desomorphine is 8 to 10 times the potency of morphine and is much cheaper than heroin. Addicts desperate for a fix may have to switch to the dangerous new drug rather than suffer their symptoms and physical withdrawal. The two sisters in the Chicago suburb of Joliet were only two of the five reported cases. Both admitted to the heroin users but said that they did not know what they were given was desomorphine.

Major Health Concern

The concern with his emergence of the drug in the United States is that heroin addicts could beunknowingly getting this drug believing their receiving heroin. More so, it is believed that heroin dealers are cutting heroine with this new drug to increase their volume. This is a potentially new horrifying development in the already tragic reality of those suffering from addiction to heroin.

Determining how many cases of the drug within the United States is still very difficult. At the current time is believed the drug is just now making its emergence here. The drug has taken a devastating toll in Eastern Europe. We can only hope that with education and treatment for those at risk for coming in contact with the drug will be enough to prevent its widespread affects here United States.