Would anyone ever think that a sea creature could have a
very similar trait to humans, especially when it comes to the consumption of drugs -
but apparently, octopuses react to ecstasy the same way humans do. Can you just imagine these cephalopods squirming and dancing around in the water with their tentacles?
Ecstasy is a drug that contains MDMA
(3.4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) that is known to cause a euphoric
feeling. It is commonly used by crowds who enjoy large events such as music
festivals, because it amplifies everything around them such as the music and
the lights. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, it pushes
neurotransmitters to release a greater amount of serotonin which elevates mood –
people are basically happier while they are on this drug.
Four octopuses were experimented with and given liquid
versions of ecstasy in different dosages. They were placed into chambers of
different settings; one with a female octopus and a male octopus, one with just
a plastic action figure, and the last one left empty. After the drug had begun
to take affect on the octopuses, they seemed to be touched each other and even
the chamber itself.
This study showed how octopuses are able to enjoy the use of
a party drug as much as a human could, because the chemicals in the brain work
in a very similar way. Humans and octopuses are categorized under different lineages, which makes this a little out of ordinary. Octopuses are usually very antisocial unless it is
mating season, but the effect of the drug caused them to become friendly,
similar to how humans become more social.
It is both fascinating and amusing to see these
invertebrates react the same way as a human would to this psychoactive drug.
Posted By Han Nguyen (3)
This is very interesting! I am curious about the reasoning or hypothesis behind this study. Are these researchers trying to uncover answers about the human brain by using cephalopod brains as a template? Or perhaps learn more about the processing systems in cephalopod's brains by comparing our knowledge about the affect of MDMA in human brains? Also, considering the social behavior exhibited by the octopi is usually only present during mating season, is it possible we are able to use this drug in order to change their mating habits and patterns?
ReplyDeletePosted by: Hayley Fecko
This is a such a cool post. I am curious to see how they would react if given pure MDMA considering that ecstasy is usually adulterated with amphetamines and ephedrine.
ReplyDeletePosted by Priya Bikkani
This is very interesting, and opens up a big path for research to study neurotransmitters and hormones that acts on the nervous system. Then if they found that octopuses and humans nervous system physiology are similarities , probably they can start studiesrelated to this system on octopus !! This can probably lead to unknowns in physiology.
ReplyDeletePosted by Jad Imad
How fascinating! I too am wondering the reasoning behind this study- Is there a benefit to having more friendly and social octopus? I also think it was especially interesting how the video mentions that humans and octopus are separated by 500 million years of evolution, and yet have similar results when given ecstasy. Perhaps this study opens the door to the possibility of other drugs being tested on octopus based on these results because of their similarity to humans.
ReplyDeletePosted by Alexandra Rios
I totally agree with you on how interesting it is that a species 500 million years of evolution from us can actually be so similar to use. I looked more into why the research was done on octopuses, and it is believed that octopuses have the similar nerves that work like us and that they simply wanted to understand how social behavior is coded so that they can understand how it can go wrong.
DeleteThis is a very interesting post. I am surprised that the drug that affected human's neural system can also do the very similar effect on octopuses. Since this drug is considered as one additive drug which is relevant to drug abusing issues. I wonder whether or not the drug can have negative effect on octopuses.
ReplyDeletePosted by Muchen Liu (2)
DeleteNow that you mention that, I'm also wondering if the drug can have a negative effect on the octopuses. Considering how they react to the drug similarly to how humans react to the drug, I would assume that it would cause the same damages to the octopuses. I know that it is a very addicting drug to humans and that if abused, they could lose their inability to create as much serotonin as they are supposed to and that some side effects to the drug include having mixed uncontrollably emotions. These emotions can even lead to deaths because it may make the person feel depressed to the point where they would want to end their lives.
DeleteThis is such an interesting study; the fact that human and octopus share the same molecular mechanisms helps connect the two evolutionary wise. I am also curious to see where scientists will switch their research to after the findings of this particular study.
ReplyDelete-Rachel Klett
Great post! Super glad I read it! It's interesting to hear that these substances affect different species similarly. Even more proof of evolutionary lineage. I'm wondering if other drugs affect octopuses the same way. What do you think?
ReplyDeletePosted by Josha Cruz
Honestly, after seeing how an antisocial octopus can become social due to a drug - which is exactly like how a person can become more social when they are under the influence whether it be this drug or another substance, I definitely believe that they could react similarly to humans with other drugs. I mean, it would be cool if someone did an entire series of experiments on octopuses trying out all different types of drugs and comparing it to the effects of those drugs on humans.
DeleteThis is such an interesting study that they have conducted. One thing I am curious about is if these cephalopods also react the same as humans once the drug has worn off. Specifically, if they were to use this long-term, could the researchers study the effects on serotonin levels in the brain to see if there was any correlation between human use and cephalopod use?
ReplyDeletePosted by Lauren Hiller
Interesting... I have a number of questions though... Why octopuses -- especially where they are so distant from humans evolutionarily? Also, why only four of them? Why ecstasy, of all the drugs the researchers could have chosen?
ReplyDeleteInteresting... I have a number of questions though... Why octopuses -- especially where they are so distant from humans evolutionarily? Also, why only four of them? Why ecstasy, of all the drugs the researchers could have chosen?
ReplyDeletePosted by Chandler Kupris