Drug paradox puzzles scientists:

http://www.physorg.com/news127559887.html
Trying to figure out why the brain acts as if some drugs from plants which are toxins are interpreted by the brain as some kind of health benefit.

Originally posted by sonhouse
http://www.physorg.com/news127559887.html
Trying to figure out why the brain acts as if some drugs from plants which are toxins are interpreted by the brain as some kind of health benefit.

im simple/ unscientific enough to accept that along with the toxins the plants cleverly add chemicals to trigger the brain's reward centre. clever.

Originally posted by eamon o
im simple/ unscientific enough to accept that along with the toxins the plants cleverly add chemicals to trigger the brain's reward centre. clever.

I think they are wondering which came first, the chicken or the egg, that is, did our pleasure centers evolve in response to those toxins or were they already in place before the toxins showed up. Mammals have been around as long as the dino's so there would be plenty of time for both paths.