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Homeostasis: Publius’ Alcohol Political Cannabinoid Science

8/30/2014

The Cannabis Papers by Publius (2011)

The Cannabis Papers: A citizen’s guide to cannabinoids (2011)

By Publius

Today’s science roundup looks at four articles on how the cannabinoid system (CS) modulates our health through homeostasis ~ including one on the de-homeostatic (harmful) effects caused by chronic alcohol use on one’s CS. The line-up links to 2014 PubMed articles discussing: heteromerization, chronic alcohol harms, sensory information salience and stress response attenuation.

I. Heteromerization (GPR55 and CB2) and the CS
“In HEK293 cells expressing GPR55 and cannabinoid CB2 R receptors, heteromers that are unique signaling units are formed. The signaling by agonists of either receptor is governed i) by the presence or absence of the partner receptors (with the consequent formation of heteromers) and ii) by the activation state of the partner receptor.”
Heteromerization of GPR55 and cannabinoid CB2 receptors modulates signaling.
Balenga NA, Martínez-Pinilla E, Kargl J, Schröder R, Peinhaupt M, Platzer W, Bálint Z, Zamarbide M, Dopeso-Reyes I, Ricobaraza A, Pérez-Ortiz JM, Kostenis E, Waldhoer M, Heinemann A, Franco R.
Br J Pharmacol. 2014 Jul 22. doi: 10.1111/bph.12850. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 25048571 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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II. De-Homeostasis (Chronic Alcohol Use) and the CS
“Chronic use of alcohol is associated with structural and functional alterations in brain areas that subserve cognitive processes. Of particular importance is the prefrontal cortex (PFC) that is involved in higher order behaviors such as decision making, risk assessment and judgment. … Overall, these results suggest that ethanol's down-regulation of cannabinoid signaling results in altered network activity in the prefrontal cortex.”
Chronic ethanol alters network activity and endocannabinoid signaling in the prefrontal cortex.
Pava MJ, Woodward JJ.
Front Integr Neurosci. 2014 Jul 18;8:58. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2014.00058. eCollection 2014.
PMID: 25100953 [PubMed] Free Article
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III. Homeostasis (Sensory Information) and the CS
“Emerging evidence from both basic and clinical research demonstrates an important role for endocannabinoid (ECB) signaling in the processing of emotionally salient information, learning, and memory. Cannabinoid transmission within neural circuits involved in emotional processing has been shown to modulate the acquisition, recall, and extinction of emotionally salient memories and importantly, can strongly modulate the emotional salience of incoming sensory information.”
The role of cannabinoid transmission in emotional memory formation: implications for addiction and schizophrenia.
Tan H, Ahmad T, Loureiro M, Zunder J, Laviolette SR.
Front Psychiatry. 2014 Jun 30;5:73. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00073. eCollection 2014. Review.
PMID: 25071606 [PubMed] Free PMC Article
Related citations

IV. Homeostasis (Stress Response) and the CS
“Endocannabinoids are produced on demand and function to attenuate many of the physiological effects of the stress response. The endocannabinoid system is made up of cannabinoid receptors, the fatty acid signaling molecules that bind to and activate these receptors, and the enzymes that synthesize and catabolize these endocannabinoid signaling molecules.”
The endocannabinoid system modulates stress, emotionality, and inflammation.
Crowe MS, Nass SR, Gabella KM, Kinsey SG.
Brain Behav Immun. 2014 Jun 19. pii: S0889-1591(14)00172-X. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.06.007. [Epub ahead of print] Review.
PMID: 24953427 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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Brain Video:
Why Do Some People Become Alcoholics?

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Word Wars: Napoleon’s Palm, Our Henry Lee and Hitler’s White Rose

8/25/2014

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Johann Phillip Palm ~ 1768 to 26 August 1806

War Cry Heal Union: The series (8 of 10)

For James Wright Foley (1973-2014) and free speech.

Word wars are always already moral. The powers of the moment, be it Emperor, Mob or Dictator, attempt to control the message through morality’s timeless twins ~ silence and violence.

The US Constitution recognizes this aspect of power in the ageless First Amendment (1791):

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The story of free speech and press in Western Civilization ~ from Socrates to Foley ~ is a telling story …

Henry Lee III ~ 1756 to 1818

Napoleon’s Palm
On 25 August 1806, Johan Phillip Palm, a German publisher living under the rule of law according to the ideas of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte I, was tried in a mock court. Palm had published news ~ behavioral tales of Napoleon’s soldiers in Germany ~ and did not reveal the author to the mockery; the next day, 26 August 1806, Palm was executed by firing squad.

America’s Henry Lee III
On 27 July 1812, Henry Lee III, a famed American revolutionary living under the rule of law according to the ideas of a mob in Baltimore, was pummeled to incapacitation. Lee was defending Alexander C. Hanson and his First Amendment right to publish an antiwar editorial. The defenders of a free press were attacked by a “Be Quiet!” mob; Lee was never the same health-wise and died in 1818.

Hitler’s White Rose
On 22 February 1943, Sophie Scholl, a German teacher living under the rule of law according to the Nazis and Adolf Hitler, was tried in a mock court. Scholl and two Others, part of a group writing under the name White Rose, were found guilty of publishing antiwar pamphlets and writing anti-government graffiti. The three were beheaded almost immediately ~ five hours after the mockery.

And many Others ~ free speech and press ~ part of everyone's story.

*Next on Ew Publishing’s WCHU: a double feature honoring rebels and constitutions. The Rebels of Harlem Heights begin the summer series finale on Tuesday, 16 September ~ followed by Constitution Day 2014 on Wednesday, 17 September.
~
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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US Republic, Hebrews and George Washington’s Cleavage

8/17/2014

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First US President George Washington ~ by Gilbert Stuart

(Bonus) War Cry Heal Union: The series (7.5 of 10)

George shows some (representation) cleavage.

Constitutional representation is our theme today with George Washington’s political cleavage our focus.

George wrote a Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport (Rhode Island) 224 years ago, 18 August 1790; his words are in response to a kind letter from the congregation. The year of the letter provides a frame for us; 1790 is the first constitutional Enumeration for the former subjects of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations ~ they are now citizens of the United States.

George’s letter has bad and good in it – though that’s not the cleavage. The cleavage is in Washington’s mind; we can sense his humanness and all that goes with it.

The Letter is brief (300 words in 8 paragraphs) and warm; Washington reflects on his visit to Newport and the Revolution; he also applauds the new Republic and its citizens:

“The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy – a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship.”

Those are fine words there George ~ the promises of “liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship” deserve much reflection, particularly given the state of national and world affairs. Yet it is the applause Washington recommends that is the first cleavage: the United States Republic.

The “enlarged and liberal policy” Washington is noting is part of America’s Exceptionalism: constitutional representation of We the People according to numbers (Article I, Section 2, Clause 3). The Hebrew Congregation of Newport, meaning Jews, were protected and counted as US citizens; that was new and it’s American. We highlighted the anti-Semitism of Europe in the Willy-Nicky Were Willy-Nilly Emperors posting; the tribe of Judah, as Emperor Wilhelm eerily noted, were not welcome in Europe; America said it was okay … which was new … in 1790.

There’s more to this letter and George’s words; he goes on to make comments that are perspectival: things about no toleration of bigotry or persecution in the US. Washington doesn’t write like he’s aware of the aborigine, the enslaved or women absented. We won’t cover them today; they show a second political cleavage though, that, like slavery, needs discussion and light.

Glean from George and take what’s best (and then make it better); his high words regarding citizenship are an example of potential gleanings ~ just like America’s (constitutional) Republic.
~
Next on Ew Publishing's WCHU: Emperor Napoleon, Palm and Hitler’s White Rose, posting on Tuesday, 26 August.
~ Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Civil Wars: Gus Kotka, Johnny Reb and Robert E. Lee

8/10/2014

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War Cry Heal Union: The series (7th of 10)
This is the 150th anniversary of US Army, 99th Indiana Infantry Regiment, Private Augustus Kotka’s last day on Earth … as a human, that is. He was killed skirmishing in the siege of Atlanta, 11 August 1864; it wasn’t a battle day ~ just one of those days. Kotka’s spirit is present today and meets with Johnny Reb for the 150th time as they discuss civil wars, Robert E. Lee and Nature.

Nowhere Sunrise (2014)

“Hey Yank,” Johnny Reb said.
“Hey Reb,” answered Augustus Kotka [1833 to 11 August 1864: KIA US Army, Siege of Atlanta].
“Gus, this ain’t Georgia: where we at?”
“This is Nowhere,” Gus replied; “I didn’t feel like meeting there this time.”
“Nowhere’s nice,” Reb noted. “What’s up though? ~ Whatcha’ wanna know?”
“Who got me killed?”
“That’s the same question for 150 years Yank ~ with the same answer ~ you did.”
“No, really, who got me killed?”
“I did then.”
“You always say that ~ this year things are different though.”

Nowhere Thistle (2014)

“How so?”
“The Constitution … it should have worked by now.”
“You’re saying it ain’t working Yank?”
“I got killed fighting ‘For’ something, not ‘Against’ you.”
“Fair enough.”
“Right ~ ‘cept fair means both sides think it’s fair: I don’t think a civil war was fair in 1861.”
“You talking Representation?” asked Reb.
“I think so; what do you know?”
“Lots being a Spirit and all.”
“So how’s that make you feel?" asked Gus; "You know, not having Constitutional Representation and having a civil war over slavery and the three fifths clause and not George Washington’s thirty Thousand?”
“George was a Reb," answered Johnny, "and so was Henry “Light-Horse” Lee and his son Robert E. Lee; Virginia produced lots of rebels.”
“Yup ~ and lots of presidents too.”
“Four of the first five,” Reb added, “hey ~ maybe this Nowhere landscape can help us.”
“Okay.”
“Take this thistle here.”
“Ouch.”
“Right Gus ~ the thorns protect flowers so seeds can be made.”
“Okay.”
“And then look at these flowers …”

Nowhere Flowering Weeds (2014)

“… Look like weeds to me.”
“Flowering weeds then ~ yet they do it differently; they share space by numbers …”
“… And not thorns.”
“Right.”
“That’s our civil war,” followed Gus, “seems the founders intended something other than thorns; then what happened with Robert E. Lee?”
“Lee missed a great strategic opportunity,” said Reb.
“1862 Antietam? 1863 Gettysburg? Petersburg 1864?”
“No,” Reb assured, “Blair 1861.”
“Right. US General Winfield Scott, his mentor and fellow Virginian, had asked him to help the Union; and then President Abraham Lincoln, through his intermediary, Mr. Blair, offered US Colonel Robert E. Lee a promotion to Major General and command of an army to quell the rebellion.”
“That is so,” added Reb, “April 1861 was Lee’s moment for Civil Greatness.”
“How so?”
“Try this on and see if it fits; if US Colonel Lee accepts President Lincoln’s offer, he buys the Union, Confederacy and Virginia a much valued commodity: Time. Lee had lots to work with: the prestige of his family, three decades of Union service, and was friends with Confederate President Jefferson Davis.”
“That makes sense.”
“If Lee takes command,” continued Reb, “he could have dawdled, played the newspaper game, or made a move ~ that would have been Civil and Strategic.”
“I see it Reb; it’s like he could have slowed things down, waited … and then what?”
“That is it ain’t it: then what?” pondered Johnny. “The way things were, with the slave states uniting and the non-slave states in turmoil, it’s not clear what would have happened.”
“Okay …”
“Though with his great abilities,” Reb imagined, “perhaps some big meeting with him and Jeff Davis in Fredericksburg Virginia.”
“Nice imagination Reb.”
“Thanks ~ it’s a fun thought that might have saved your life Gus.”
“And lots of Johnnies.”
“For sure ~ Lee would have had the loyalty of the Union and kinship with the rebellion at his hands; Lincoln would have looked like he needed Lee to make peace, and he probably did.”
“Interesting theory Reb …”
“Then see, Lee is a national hero,” Reb mused, “and he becomes President in 1864 ~ elected by the Union he saved.”
“You’re out there now Reb …”
“Not too far though,” continued Reb, “as no one expected a Nobody like Grant to become president.”
“Lee wasn’t into politics,” noted Gus.
“War is politics,” Reb clarified; “I’m just saying with his family name, being a Virginian that saved the Union … well, who knows how Great that might have been."
“Thanks for the line of thinking Reb ~ nice Ponderances.”
“Ponderances ~ I like that ...”

Nowhere Sons Up (2014)

Johnny Reb then gave Gus Yank a Spirit speech: “You know Gus, the year 2020, with the decennial Enumeration (census), is a Time for We the People to build the United States of America the founders’ intended ~ and it’ll be even better than theirs because it fulfills their Spirit in a way they couldn’t …”
“… Representing the Unrepresented.”
“Right Gus; if we Represent in 2020, we’d be honoring our Republic by fulfilling the founders’ Constitutional Rebel vision: a House for We the People and a Senate for We the States.”
“Agreed.”
“Sun’s up Gus.”
“Sounds like ‘Sons Up’ Reb.”
“Sure does ~ Whatcha’ say we meet again?”
“Great.”
“Hey,” smarted Reb, “let’s meet ‘Somewhere’ next time.”
“Got a place in mind?” Gus chuckled.
“I do.”
“That’ll be fun ~ peace Reb.”
“Peace Yank ~ and see you again soon … ”
~
Video Adaptation:
Robert E Lee refuses command of the Union Army

*Extra/New WCHU series announcement from Ew Publishing: we’re adding one to the ten in the War Cry Heal Union series (see our 26 May 2014 release). The addition looks at Representing the Unrepresented “Stock of Abraham” via George Washington and the Hebrew Congregation of Rhode Island; it’ll be number 7.5 of 10 in one week, Monday 18 August 2014.
~
Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Louis Armstrong’s Birthday, Muggles and Star of David

8/3/2014

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Muggles ~ Armstrong and Hines (1928)

Louis Armstrong ~ 4 August 1901 to 6 July 1971

Adapted excerpt from The Book of the Is (2013)
Section 12 (of 16), Chapter 4 Epimorphosis

You might not miss jazzercise if it disappeared, but I hear it’s good exercise. Many would miss Jazz though, as it was a pretty good invention. In today’s world, Louis Armstrong might be labeled a marijuana addict and perhaps even put into coerced treatment. What an odd political thought: no Jazz because all the jazzers were sent to treatment and cured. Armstrong was a cannabis consumer, that’s for sure, and he wouldn’t understand today’s cannabis fuss.

It’s been said that Armstrong told stories with his cornet. At the 2001 tribute, From Lincoln Center – Louis Armstrong: Master Interpreter, Ed Bradley (of 60 Minutes fame) said these kind words about Armstrong’s Chicago music-making days:

"On a series of records made in Chicago during the 1920s, Louis Armstrong almost single-handedly set out the foundations of Jazz. Some of the most fertile and overwhelming music in all of recorded Jazz gushes from those old discs by Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven Bands."

Later on in the tribute, when they are talking about the great Joe “King” Oliver and the New Orleans roots of Jazz, Bradley tells us about how Oliver and Armstrong wowed’em in Chicago:

"Oliver taught Armstrong about breaks – short unaccompanied solos played at the end of a musical phrase. When Armstrong played with Oliver, the sound of their two powerful horns playing breaks – in unison – amazed the crowd that packed Chicago’s Lincoln Gardens. The secret? Oliver would tip Armstrong off by surreptitiously fingering what he was going to play."

When it comes to Armstrong, his music, and his cannabis use, the show brings them together but only in a general way. Here’s what Bradley said:

"Alcohol and drugs figure into the story of many a Jazz musician but Armstrong was very health-conscious. He didn’t drink heavily, but acknowledged an affection for marijuana, which he found soothing and medicinal. Armstrong and Earl Hines named one of their collaborations after one of marijuana’s more closely-held nicknames, 'Muggles.'”

Armstrong wore a Star of David from his childhood; he wore it in remembrance of something he learned while growing up in New Orleans: how to live peacefully and well.

Happy Birthday Ambassador Armstrong!
Muggles ~ First Recorded in Chicago, 7 December 1928. Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

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Homeostasis: Publius’ Alcohol Political Cannabinoid Science

Word Wars: Napoleon’s Palm, Our Henry Lee and Hitler’s White Rose

US Republic, Hebrews and George Washington’s Cleavage

Civil Wars: Gus Kotka, Johnny Reb and Robert E. Lee

Louis Armstrong’s Birthday, Muggles and Star of David

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