Ecstasy: Neurotoxicity and How It Can Be Reduced :: Biology Essays Research Papers

Ecstasy: Neurotoxicity and How It Can Be Reduced Ecstasy (MDMA) has become a drug of choice among 18-25 year olds (2), and its effects on behavior and neurotoxicity merit the attention of this class. Ecstasy use has become fairly widespread on college campuses and in rave and nightclub settings. This paper will look at the mechanism through which MDMA acts, its neurotoxicity, and how users can reduce risk involved with ecstasy use. Ecstasy alters behavior by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. It accomplishes this by altering the neurotransmitter serotonin's reuptake process. (6) In the normal serotonin system, a serotonin neuron will receive a signal from a neighboring nerve cell to release vesicles of serotonin into the synaptic cleft. The post-synaptic cell (which has the appropriate receptors for serotonin) then picks up the molecule. When the serotonin binds to the receptor, it causes an electric signal to change the membrane permeability which causes changes in the body. When a vesicle of serotonin is released, most of the molecules are pulled back into the pre-synaptic cell. This process of drawing serotonin back into the original neuron for it to be reused is called reuptake. When MDMA is present in the system, however, it interferes with the natural process by preventing the serotonin from entering at the reuptake site. This causes an excess of serotonin in the system, which creates the feelings of euphoria associated with MDMA. (1) Users of MDMA are quick to praise the psychological effects of the drug, but the effects on their physical health can be detrimental. Studies show that heavy, prolonged use of MDMA can significantly reduce the number of serotonin transporters which are necessary to bring the neurotransmitter back to the neuron from which it was released. Studies supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) showed that MDMA damages neurons that release serotonin, and that heavy MDMA users have lingering memory problems for at least two weeks after stopping the drug. In the first study, researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) to compare the brains of MDMA users who had abstained from all psychoactive drugs for three weeks and people who had never used MDMA. They found that the amount of MDMA used was directly linked to the number of serotonin transporters remaining. They also found that the degree of memory impairment is based on the amount of MDMA used. (3)

Water Resources Should Be Nationalized

WATER RESOURCES SHOULD BE NATIONALISED India is one country united by various states to have peace within,we should live together by sharing our wants with each other. Surplus should be shared. Every state has dispute in sharing water resources with its neighbouring state. Then and thereproblem arising between peoples of two states. they are not allowing neighbouring state vehicles to enter into their state. We have enough water from nature but we tend to overuse or misuse it. Some parts of India are flooded with rain,they don’t have place to live till the flooded rain water gets drained,in some other parts people are longing to get water for irrigation and their basic needs. Loss in one place can be utilized as a resource in one place. So India as whole will be benefited. The main purpose of national utilization of water resources is uniform and proper use of this resource at every place,in order to avoid problem between the states,nationalization should be done,but on the other hand it is also necessary that it should not be merely a political agenda. The rivers flowing from the north to south are not 100% utilized by the individual states efficiently. Because some state may need water and some may not need depending upon the geographical location,requirement,agriculture,etc. So the unused water of these rivers are directed to the sea. So what the government has planned to nationalize the rivers by constructing a water channel from north to south,like hoe the national highways are there in our country. we will have the water highway routes in the form of the channels. AS PER MY KNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS IN IMPLEMENTING THIS I THINK ARE At present water resourcesin India are under the control of respective state government,to nationalize it all state governments must accept it. Detailed well planned architecturehave to be prepared to connect all rivers without any city gets affected. Lakhs and lakhs of acres of land will be needed to connect all rivers,this must be taken care by the respective state government. I like to approach this problem in two steps STEP 1:REGARDING THE NATIONALIZATION OF WATER RESOURCES The country can be divided into zones. each zone can include equal number of states with and without the problem of water scarcity. Each zone can be controlled by a panel formes by the central government. The panel can be the final authority regarding the planning and execution of the entire project and it takes decision regarding the water sharing formula between the states in a particular STEP 2:AWARENESS PROGRAM The same board can take steps to spread awareness among the masses regarding the water scarcity situation that is prevailing in every corner of the globe and especially in developing countries like ours and take measurements to teach the efficient use of water,its conservation and some knowledge about preventing pollution of water bodies. They should also be taught about the need for afforestation and how forests can bring rain. This program can be initiated in all schools and colleges run by the state and central government. The government can also take the help of various organizations that are working for this cause. Last but not the least the rural masses need more education regarding the present situation. Plays can be organized to tell the people about the dangers of water scarcity. THE BENEFITS OF NATIONALIZING WATER RESOURCES Apart from the satisfaction of water,employment oppurtunites can be given to people. Hydel power generation is possible from this project. Also water transport will become familier inside the nation. KAVERI WATER DISPUTE This dispute can only be solved when people of tamilnadu and Karnataka realize that its their own family member on other side who is using water for quenching his thirst or using it in farms I know it is too idealistic but this is the only way to solve the problem. To solve all these kinds of problems all rivers in India should be nationalized and a neutral committee comprising of experts in water resource,major political leaders of the states in dispute and central political authority should be formed. The decision of that commitee should become binding to all the parties involved in dispute. Again this solution involves individual honesty and national perspective and in my view both of these are lacking in India. The only way out of these types of problems is the real;ization by all Indians about their responsibility as citizens. River kaveri is like any mother is treating her children equal with its flow but its her children who are not treating each other equal and right. I hope the better sense prevails†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ May almighty direct out intellect in right direction.

Domestic Human Sex Trafficking in the United States

Domestic Human Sex Trafficking in the United States Human sex trafficking and its sister category, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking also referred to as DMST, (Kotrla,K. 2010) is the most common form of modern day slavery. In the United States there are an estimated 293,000 youth who fall under high risk factor or DMST (Walker-Rodriguez, A. Hill, R. 2011). Many men prey on the at risk youth to make a fortune for themselves. DMST exposes the youth to a life filled with violence, abuse that is both mental and physical as well as a isolation. The Victims of the Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 defines sex trafficking, â€Å"in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion or in which the person induced to†¦show more content†¦2010). Others were living in poverty and abducted or forced and manipulated with empty promises of a better life, with agreements in which are deceptive to the young girls (Hodge, D. 2008). Once the girls trust is gained, the girls are then used in order to gain profits and/or narcotics for pimps, they are forced into sexual acts for the exchange of money or drugs (Kotrla, K. 2010). 79% of victims of DMST have reported they were forced into trafficking (Crompton, Hardy, McPhatter. 2013). However a majority of the girls are abducted or forced while many are attracted in other ways. Fake agencies sometimes posing as massage agencies lure in women into the trafficking industry. These women are offered money, free transportation to these agencies to work, with an agreement that the costs will be paid back through the woman’s earnings for her work (Hodge, D. 2008). Other girls are lured in through brothels, escort services, hostess clubs, and strip clubs (Kotrla, K. 2010) where they are abused, manipulated, and have been forced to participate in sexual acts against their will. The reality of what was promised then becomes clear. A better life has turned into a life of abuse and isolation. According to the FBI â€Å"these women and young girls are sold to traffickers, locked up in rooms or brothels for weeks to months, drugged, terrorized, and raped repeatedly†Show MoreRelatedThe Globalization Of Human Trafficking990 Words   |  4 Pageswill define the globalization of human trafficking through the context of the United States as a first world nation and extension of this problematic issue in European nations, such as Russia and in the Baltic region. The first world status of the United States provides a context in which human trafficking has become a major problem when defining domestic markets for criminal organizations. However, the U.S. provides an example of the impact of human trafficking that occurs on a much wider scaleRead MoreHuman Trafficking1302 Words   |  6 Pagesbecome victims of trafficking, spread awareness, and to have more effi cient programs to help the trafficking victims recover. 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