Category: Communication

A calmer mind – Wood

Concluding the series from BBC Radio 4

If you have not registered with the BBC then you will need to do so before the link at the bottom works.

This last time it is wood. Here it is:

In this episode – Wood – we visit the Woodwork for Wellbeing Workshop in Bethnal Green, London where every Tuesday people with mental health issues spend time making things with wood. They find it to be very therapeutic and fun. And Professor Miles Richardson of the University of Derby shares research from Japan which shows that simply touching wood is calming.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham

Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start

Original Music by Anthony Cowie

Mixed by Ron McCaskill

BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001np8k

This is the last one of this series from the Beeb and if any of you have noticed I chose to present these programmes in a different order to that presented by the BBC.

‘chose‘ is only slightly accurate – the true reason is that I screwed up!

A calmer mind – Earth

Another broadcast from BBC Radio 4 in this series!

As I said before, so far this has been a fascinating series of programmes and, hopefully, some of you have listened to the episodes.

In Episode 5 – Earth – we visit the Horticultural Therapy Trust allotment in Plymouth and discover how gardening can be soothing for people with severe mental illnesses. We also hear about how putting our hands in the earth can be good for our gut microbiome and potentially our mental health.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham
Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start
Original Music by Anthony Cowie
Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

A BBC Scotland Production made in Aberdeen for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001p6vt

Tomorrow we publish another programme in this series.

A calmer mind – Air

The choice is now air.

This is about breathing and is something I know about. Because Bruce at our local ClubNorthwest has a session with me when I spend five minutes or so taking in through the nose the deepest breath that I can.

If you have not registered with the BBC then you will need to do so before the link at the bottom works.

In Episode 4 – Air – we visit an infant school in Nottingham where young children regularly learn breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety. We also hear about research from Italy showing how slowing our breathing impacts positively on brain activity. Plus breath coach and founder of School Breathe, Aimee Hartley, shares her experience of learning to breathe well.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham
Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start
Original Music by Anthony Cowie
Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

A BBC Scotland Production made in Aberdeen for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001p1pg

Another programme tomorrow!

A calmer mind – Water

Continuing this fascinating series from BBC Radio 4.

Last week the BBC chose to present a programme called An Almanac for Anxiety. There were five episodes: Fire; Wood: Water: Air; Earth.

If you have not registered with the BBC then you will need to do so before the link below works.

The details of each episode were presented on the BBC website:

In Episode 3 – Water – we join a group of socially prescribed outdoor swimmers on Teignmouth Beach in Devon who find joy in immersing themselves in cold water. We also hear why spending time around blue spaces is so effective at promoting a sense of calm from Dr Catherine Kelly of the University of Brighton.

Produced and Presented by Helen Needham
Research by Anna Miles and Maud Start
Original Music by Anthony Cowie
Mixed by Ron McCaskill and Malcolm Torrie

A BBC Scotland Production made in Aberdeen for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001nvp1

Tomorrow we present the episode on Air.

Trust you are enjoying these!

A calmer mind – Fire

A fascinating series from BBC Radio 4

Last week the BBC chose to present a programme called An Almanac for Anxiety. There were five episodes: Fire; Wood: Water: Air; Earth.

If you have not registered with the BBC then you will need to do so before the link below works.

The details of each episode were presented on the BBC website:

Anxiety is the most common form of mental illness in the UK, with nearly a fifth of people experiencing it over the course of a year. Although it is often treated through medication, there are many alternative ways which are proving to be very effective in reducing anxiety amongst some people. In this series, we explore how connecting with the elemental forces of nature helps people with a range of mental illnesses to feel better. We also learn about the current academic research behind these methods.

In Episode 1 – Fire – we visit an overnight camp on the banks of the River Spey near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands run by the charity Fire and Peace. According to the participants, – who have a range of mental ill health and addiction issues – the experience of spending time around the fire in nature is transformative when it comes to promoting feelings of connection and wellbeing. We also hear new research which shows how being around a campfire can be calming.

BBC Radio 4

I am going to share the link to the BBC each day this week with a new episode each day. The programmes are 15 minutes long and in my opinion well worth listening to.

So here’s the first one:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ng75

Tomorrow, it is the turn of wood!

Now above we were told: ‘Anxiety is the most common form of mental illness in the UK’ but of course we all know that anxiety affects many millions across the world. That is why I intend to share with you all five programmes.

Ways to help stray animals.

A welcome to a new guest author from India.

A while ago I was contacted by email from Anushka Mishra about her writing a guest post. This is what I received:

Greetings,

This is Anushka Mishra, Content Strategist at Jaldee Vets. We hope this email finds you well. We are writing to propose a guest blogging opportunity for your esteemed pet care blog. Our platform, Jaldee Vets specializes in pet care with a significant emphasis towards strays. In the spirit of becoming the voice for the voiceless, we provide free consultancy to stray animals. Through our blog posts we want to convey the message of carrying out social responsibility of protecting stray and providing care to animals.

We will be providing an SEO optimized blog of 500-600 words. With our high-quality guest blog, you will benefit from fresh and engaging content that can captivate your readers. We can offer our expertise in pet care to cover topics such as nutrition, health, training, and grooming, providing valuable insights to your audience.

In return, we would gain exposure to your dedicated readership and the opportunity to showcase our #StrayLivesMatter initiative of providing free consultancy to strays. It would be an excellent platform for us to establish ourselves as a reliable resource and expand our reach within the pet care community.

We look forward to discussing the specifics and exploring potential topics. We eagerly await your positive response.

Warm regards,

Anushka Mishra

As is normal in these situations I took a look at the organisation that Anushka represented and replied:

Anushka,

Good day to you and thank you for your email and the offer.

Unfortunately, I only take guest posts from those who have no business connection because otherwise I would have the challenge of determining what businesses I would support and what businesses I would not support.

Hope you understand,

Kind regards,

Paul H.

However, I got it wrong because Jaldee Vets is in the business of doing much more. They are an Indian firm that provide online services including providing free online vet consultations for stray dogs and cats.

So here is Anushka’s guest post.

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Ways to help stray animals

The bigger picture of looking at the whole world is that around 200 million strays embrace the streets, finding love and joy in slight caresses and mini treats. Every nation has strays flaunting their roads. However, what differentiates one is the condition in each of these countries. In some countries, the situation of street animals is alarming, with the perpetual enmity of brutal and inhumane behaviour towards them. The indifference towards these creatures has led to a massive shoot in their population. They are usually left to cater for themselves and are more prone to fall prey to some diseases.

On the contrary, some countries look after their strays with utmost concern. They have working policies for neutering and spraying strays and adequate amenities to provide suitable shelter care. Along with the direct accommodations, there is always a persistent attempt at propagating vigilance and educating people. As a living entity endowed with the privilege to stand up for ourselves and speak our concerns out loud, it is our responsibility to tend to those devoid of such benefits. The implementation and execution of official policies and reforms are outside our hands. However, it’s well within our powers to do small bits and pieces to make life easier for these hustling babies. 

Helping stray animals

Adopt

The best way to help the button-eyed sweethearts is by welcoming them into the comfort of your abode. Bringing home a new member can add a hint of sparkling confetti to the lives of all the family members. On the other hand, it would always bestow the four-legged friend with a healthier living ribboned in kindness and surrounded by loved ones. If you have doubts about becoming a full-time parent, there’s always an option of fostering. This allows you a trial run for a life as a pet parent and gives the pet adequate living temporarily until they find a permanent residence. 

Volunteer

Various animal welfare organizations work towards rescuing and sheltering stray animals. These organizations are always open towards a helping hand who can assist with multiple works. Volunteering involves but isn’t limited to helping in the rescuing process. The job extends to several back-end works such as photography, content writing, bringing sponsors on board, etc. Volunteering in such initiatives is a noble method of helping stray animals and would also give you some quality time with these endearing pets. 

Generating awareness

Little drops accumulate together to make an entire ocean; thus, every drop counts. Just like that, every small step towards raising awareness and educating people on the cause of animal safety can eventually make a profound difference. No one alone can end all the mistreatment and cruelty happening to animals. However, we can do our best by educating our friends, family and acquaintances on the subject. You can participate in events promoting such values or engage with online campaigns to help add more voice to the cause. 

Feed and Care

All it takes to help a stray is a strong will and good food. The easiest way to bring joy to these lovely friends is by feeding them and providing them warm clothes if winter is around the corner. Good food would ensure a healthy and sound living for stray animals, which they direly require. 

When Injury strikes?

Unless you are a professional or vet, you can do only so much. On some grim day, you may stumble across an injured animal. The immediate response to such a situation should always be to consult a vet. Jaldee Vets, with its online consulting platform, is thriving to make lives more manageable for stray animals. Through our site, one can avail of free online consultancy for strays who may require the same. If you encounter an animal injured or have met with an accident and can’t find a clinic nearby, you can hop on to the site and get immediate help for the furry pal. The consultancy is online and completely free. 

Strays are a social responsibility. To help them isn’t just a noble cause but a necessary one. So, wait no further and take these small and practical steps to shower some ounces of comfort and kindness into the lives of many animals.  

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The only way to close this is by adding a couple of pictures from Unsplash of stray dogs.

Photo by Anoir Chafik on Unsplash

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Photo by Evan Clark on Unsplash

These pictures make my heart ache and I hope you support Jaldee Vets. Finally are you in favour of me publishing guest posts from Anushka? Please give me feedback.

An apology

I simply got on the wrong foot.

Do not ask me how it came about but somehow my US Tax Return for 2022 was not completed.

Affordable & Professional Services alerted me to the fact that I have very few days to submit the return.

So writing a fancy blog post was a long way from my mind.

Sorry!

And a P.S.

This morning Jean and I went round with all our files and notes to see Niobe of AAPS and she was terrific. Niobe took complete control of the situation and patiently worked her way through the myriad of details and a couple of hours later it was done! 🙂

Picture Parade Five Hundred and Two

Yet more dogs courtesy of Unsplash.

Photo by FLOUFFY on Unsplash

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Photo by Neil Fedorowycz on Unsplash

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Photo by Caspar Rae on Unsplash

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Photo by Caspar Rae on Unsplash

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Photo by Cristina Anne Costello on Unsplash

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Photo by Juho Luomala on Unsplash

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Photo by Silvana Carlos on Unsplash

Precious animals!

It is amazing what one sees on the road!

This is an account of an Amazon delivery driver!

This story was originally published on The Dodo and I thought it would make a brilliant share with you all. Here it is!

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Amazon Delivery Driver Spots The Weirdest-Looking ‘Dog’ Trotting Toward His Truck

“This is so funny, what the heck” 😂
By Caitlin Jill Anders

Published on the 24th August, 2023

An Amazon delivery driver named Erik was out delivering packages as usual when he noticed someone furry walking in front of his truck. He figured it was a dog coming to say hi, which happens to him a lot on his route. He was getting excited to greet the dog and see if he’d ever met this one before — then suddenly realized he wasn’t a dog at all.

When the animal made it to the door of his truck, Erik realized the friendly neighbor was actually a goat.

Erik and the goat stood watching each other for a few seconds, both assessing the situation. Then, the goat decided Erik was friendly and climbed on the truck, greeting Erik just like a dog would. Erik couldn’t stop laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

“This is so funny, what the heck,” Erik said in a video about the encounter.

The goat jumped up onto Erik to say hi and even stuck his little tongue out. He was wearing a collar and a leash, which made Erik think this kind of thing probably happens a lot.

A TikTok user who has goats commented, “[T]hat bell means he’s the problem goat.”

Luckily, using the leash, Erik was able to lead the friendly goat back to where he came from. He was glad it didn’t turn into a neighborhood-dog-who-wouldn’t-leave-his-truck, which has happened to him before.

Erik didn’t expect to see a goat during his shift that day, but now he hopes it’ll happen again.

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There were three videos inserted in the original, all from TikTok, but I chose not to include them. If you want to watch them then please go here.

However, it is a delightful story!

The brain

A fascinating account

I was struggling with the post for tomorrow and then saw this article on The Conversation. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea but nevertheless I find it sufficiently interesting to publish it.

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Psychedelics plus psychotherapy can trigger rapid changes in the brain − new research at the level of neurons is untangling how

New research hints at how psychedelics can trigger rapid, lasting change. wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Edmund S. Higgins, Medical University of South Carolina

The human brain can change – but usually only slowly and with great effort, such as when learning a new sport or foreign language, or recovering from a stroke. Learning new skills correlates with changes in the brain, as evidenced by neuroscience research with animals and functional brain scans in people. Presumably, if you master Calculus 1, something is now different in your brain. Furthermore, motor neurons in the brain expand and contract depending on how often they are exercised – a neuronal reflection of “use it or lose it.”

People may wish their brains could change faster – not just when learning new skills, but also when overcoming problems like anxiety, depression and addictions.

Clinicians and scientists know there are times the brain can make rapid, enduring changes. Most often, these occur in the context of traumatic experiences, leaving an indelible imprint on the brain.

But positive experiences, which alter one’s life for the better, can occur equally as fast. Think of a spiritual awakening, a near-death experience or a feeling of awe in nature.

a road splits in the woods, sun shines through green leafy trees
A transformative experience can be like a fork in the road, changing the path you are on. Westend61 via Getty Images

Social scientists call events like these psychologically transformative experiences or pivotal mental states. For the rest of us, they’re forks in the road. Presumably, these positive experiences quickly change some “wiring” in the brain.

How do these rapid, positive transformations happen? It seems the brain has a way to facilitate accelerated change. And here’s where it gets really interesting: Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy appears to tap into this natural neural mechanism.

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

Those who’ve had a psychedelic experience usually describe it as a mental journey that’s impossible to put into words. However, it can be conceptualized as an altered state of consciousness with distortions of perception, modified sense of self and rapidly changing emotions. Presumably there is a relaxation of the higher brain control, which allows deeper brain thoughts and feelings to emerge into conscious awareness.

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy combines the psychology of talk therapy with the power of a psychedelic experience. Researchers have described cases in which subjects report profound, personally transformative experiences after one six-hour session with the psychedelic substance psilocybin, taken in conjunction with psychotherapy. For example, patients distressed about advancing cancer have quickly experienced relief and an unexpected acceptance of the approaching end. How does this happen?

glowing green tendrils of a neuron against a black background
Neuronal spines are the little bumps along the spreading branches of a neuron. Patrick Pla via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Research suggests that new skills, memories and attitudes are encoded in the brain by new connections between neurons – sort of like branches of trees growing toward each other. Neuroscientists even call the pattern of growth arborization.

Researchers using a technique called two-photon microscopy can observe this process in living cells by following the formation and regression of spines on the neurons. The spines are one half of the synapses that allow for communication between one neuron and another.

Scientists have thought that enduring spine formation could be established only with focused, repetitive mental energy. However, a lab at Yale recently documented rapid spine formation in the frontal cortex of mice after one dose of psilocybin. Researchers found that mice given the mushroom-derived drug had about a 10% increase in spine formation. These changes had occurred when examined one day after treatment and endured for over a month.

diagram of little bumps along a neuron, enlarged at different scales
Tiny spines along a neuron’s branches are a crucial part of how one neuron receives a message from another. Edmund S. Higgins

A mechanism for psychedelic-induced change

Psychoactive molecules primarily change brain function through the receptors on the neural cells. The serotonin receptor 5HT, the one famously tweaked by antidepressants, comes in a variety of subtypes. Psychedelics such as DMT, the active chemical in the plant-based psychedelic ayahuasca, stimulate a receptor cell type, called 5-HT2A. This receptor also appears to mediate the hyperplastic states when a brain is changing quickly.

These 5-HT2A receptors that DMT activates are not only on the neuron cell surface but also inside the neuron. It’s only the 5-HT2A receptor inside the cell that facilitates rapid change in neuronal structure. Serotonin can’t get through the cell membrane, which is why people don’t hallucinate when taking antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft. The psychedelics, on the other hand, slip through the cell’s exterior and tweak the 5-HT2A receptor, stimulating dendritic growth and increased spine formation.

Here’s where this story all comes together. In addition to being the active ingredient in ayahuasca, DMT is an endogenous molecule synthesized naturally in mammalian brains. As such, human neurons are capable of producing their own “psychedelic” molecule, although likely in tiny quantities. It’s possible the brain uses its own endogenous DMT as a tool for change – as when forming dendritic spines on neurons – to encode pivotal mental states. And it’s possible psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy uses this naturally occurring neural mechanism to facilitate healing.

A word of caution

In her essay collection “These Precious Days,” author Ann Patchett describes taking mushrooms with a friend who was struggling with pancreatic cancer. The friend had a mystical experience and came away feeling deeper connections to her family and friends. Patchett, on the other hand, said she spent eight hours “hacking up snakes in some pitch-black cauldron of lava at the center of the Earth.” It felt like death to her.

Psychedelics are powerful, and none of the classic psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, are approved yet for treatment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019 did approve ketamine, in conjunction with an antidepressant, to treat depression in adults. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with MDMA (often called ecstasy or molly) for PTSD and psilocybin for depression are in Phase 3 trials.

Edmund S. Higgins, Affiliate Associate Professor of Psychiatry & Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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This is not for the innocents and it requires someone of the ilk of Professor Higgins to advise.

Plus one needs to stay close to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. To close, I will repeat the phrase above, psychedelics are powerful.