Part of Thought
Science & Health
Biology, medicine, pharmacology, the body and the methods of scientific inquiry.
Concepts
- Scientific MaterialismScientific materialism is the philosophical worldview asserting that physical matter and natural processes constitute the sole reality of existence. It holds that all…
- Serotonin SystemThe serotonin system is an extensive neural network in the brain and body regulating mood, cognition, emotional processing, and perception. It utilizes serotonin as a…
- Somatic ModificationSomatic modification is the biological alteration of bodily tissues, neural pathways, and physical mass in response to subjective experiences, conscious decisions, and…
- Soranus of EphesusSoranus of Ephesus was a Greek physician who worked in Rome around the turn of the second century and wrote a treatise on gynaecology. Issue.27, the edition about the…
- The Demon-Haunted WorldThe Demon-Haunted World is a book by Carl Sagan. In Issue.25, the edition cites it as the source of his famous line about grasping the universe as it really is, in a…
- Therapeutic IndexThe therapeutic index is a quantitative pharmacological ratio that compares the lethal or toxic dose of a drug to its therapeutically effective dose. It serves as a vital…
- Trial and ErrorTrial and error is a way of solving problems by trying one option after another and keeping what works until a solution is found. In the Agency editorial it is the engine…
- VegetalismoVegetalismo is an Amazonian healing tradition practiced primarily by mestizo healers who derive their knowledge, diagnostic skills, and power songs directly from master…
Terms
- hippocraticadjective
- Relating to Hippocrates or the ethical medical code that prioritizes patient care and moral duty.
- Homeostasisnoun
- The state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems or dynamic organizations through coordinated self-regulating physiological or operational adjustments.
- honeycombnoun
- A structure of hexagonal wax cells built by bees to store honey, pollen, and larvae. In the article's aphorism it represents the essential place that a bee always returns to, no matter how far it roams.
- hydrocarbonnoun
- An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon, commonly found in petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
- Inertianoun
- The tendency of an object to remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force, or a state of sluggish inaction in organizations.
- Jagubenoun
- The woody liana Banisteriopsis caapi native to the Amazon rainforest, containing beta-carbolines that inhibit MAO enzymes.
- Macerationnoun
- The softening or mechanical breaking down of plant tissues and fibers by pounding, soaking, or steeping.
- melatoninnoun
- A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the sleep-wake cycle in response to darkness.
- Mineralnoun
- A naturally occurring inorganic solid substance characterized by a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal atomic structure. It is extracted by industrial or manual methods for metallurgy and manufacturing.
- Myopianoun
- A visual condition of nearsightedness, used figuratively for narrow-mindedness and lack of long-term foresight.
- Narcolepticadjective
- Relating to, affected by, or resembling a neurological condition characterized by sudden, involuntary bouts of deep sleep.
- Neuroplasticadjective
- Relating to or exhibiting the structural and functional adaptiveness of neural networks within the brain.
- Opioidnoun
- A substance that acts on nervous system receptors to numb pain, often used metaphorically for emotional desensitization.
- organicadjective
- Relating to or derived from living organisms, biological matter, or systematically integrated natural systems.
- oscillationnoun
- A regular movement back and forth between two points or states. Figuratively, the alternation between two opposite positions, attitudes or forces.
- Overdosenoun
- An excessive, dangerous dose of a medicinal, toxic, or stimulatory substance. In broader contexts, it refers to an overwhelming surfeit of sensory, emotional, or informative stimulation.
- Painkillernoun
- A medicine or agent that reduces or relieves physical or emotional suffering. Metaphorically, it refers to products that resolve acute client emergencies rather than offering optional conveniences.
- Permeabilitynoun
- The state or quality of being permeable, allowing liquids, gases, or symbolic influences to pass through.
- pinealadjective
- Relating to the pineal gland, a small endocrine organ in the brain that secretes melatonin.
- Placebonoun
- A medically ineffectual treatment or substance designed to deceive the recipient, often used as a control in scientific trials.
- Poisonnoun
- A substance that causes death or severe physical harm when introduced into or absorbed by a living organism.
- Pollinationnoun
- The transfer of pollen grains from the male anther to the female stigma of a flower, enabling fertilization and seed production.
- Projectilenoun
- An object thrown, fired, or propelled through the air by external force.
- Reductionismnoun
- The practice of analyzing and describing a complex phenomenon in terms of its simple or fundamental constituents.
