Week 7 Blog

 In Lecture 3, I was intrigued and surprised to learn about Frued’s use of cocaine and role in medical malpractice. (Vesna, Lecture 3 Week 7). It seems so strange to hear that drugs such as cocaine and morphine were once common household medication, even appearing in soft drinks (Vesna, Lecture 3 Week 7).  This week's lecture made me think about our willingness to adopt scientific and technological innovations without a careful consideration of the risks. I wonder what is going to be the “cocaine” of today- as in what chemical or item in our everyday life will later become regarded as dangerous and outlawed. 

(CBS NEWS 2011)

Carl Jung writes that modern people often suffer from various forms of anxiety and neurosis because our conscious selves and unconscious selves are disconnected (Jung). He observes our culture's reliance on instant gratification (Jung). In some cases today, pharmaceuticals have become the first choice for alleviating depression. While I am strongly an advocate for psychiatric medications, and have seen them produce successful results in my own and my family members' lives, I also think other forms of introspection and connection with the self would be helpful for a first line treatment for depression and our disconnection from ourselves. For example, when I took Dr. Korb’s course “Applied Positive Neuroscience” course, I was shocked when he discussed studies that showed that meditation is as effective as SSRIs in the treatment of depression. At the time, I considered SSRI’s as the only real solution for depression, and everything else about diet and sleep and meditation were “nice to haves” as opposed to a true cure. I think as these scientific innovations, such as medications, become a household name, they become the dominant solution and overshadow older, yet equally effective practices. 

  

Study showing reduced depression with Transcendental Meditation

(Chawkin)

The reading on Neuroculture was interesting. The reading highlighted the interaction between art and science in the form of pop culture- such as films like Prozac disseminate neuroscience concepts and ideas in an artistic manner that appeals to the public. The pervasiveness of SSRIs such as Prozac being a household name, made me think of a recent experience I had. While walking in Hollywood, I came across the museum Psychiatry: An Industry of Death. The museum documents the role of capitalism and profit-generation in psychiatry, and how the prioritization of money over people results in the death of the patients (Psychiatry: An Industry of Death). The exhibit showcases and gives information about previous methods of therapeutic interventions, such as lobotomies and electric shocks. Thinking about the museum in the context of course material- the exhibit used art in order to showcase the malpractice in psychiatry, and the use of technologies that were modern and innovate at the time, but now looking back are considered inhumane and tortuous. 

(Psychiatry: An Industry of Death).

 

As society progresses, I think it is important to be attuned to the implications of new technologies and medication, and continue to use art as an avenue to disseminate and normalize scientific knowledge. 

Works Cited

CBS NEWS. “Cocaine: A brief history of blow.” CBS News, 22 August 2011, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/cocaine-a-brief-history-of-blow/. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Chawkin, Ken. “New studies show reduced depression with Transcendental Meditation.” Eurekalert, April 2010, https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/579661. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Frazzetto, Giovanni, and Suzanne Anker. “Neuroculture.” Science and Society, 2009.

Jung, Carl. The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man. 1933

Psychiatry: An Industry of Death. “Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum.” Museum of Death: Home, 2024, https://www.cchr.org/about-us/cchr-industry-of-death-museum.html. Accessed 17 May 2024.

Vesna, Victoria. Week 7 Part 3 Lecture. 2024.