Psychology

We Want Wundt
Psychology began in the 19th century with Wundt and others in Germany. Psychology is the science of behavior. Psychiatry studies abnormal behavior. Abnormal psychology is similar to psychiatry except that psychology uses more naval contemplation than psychiatry. However, this might change in the future as psychology becomes more scientific.

This clipart is taken from the "Molecule of the Month" British website. The R represents H (hydrogen) in norepinephrine and CH3 (methyl group) in epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter made from dopamine, which is also a neurotransmitter. These are all normal substances.

This clipart of neurotransmitters was taken from Pharmacology Central, an outstanding website for adults. This is an advanced website, suitable for doctors.

These are flavonoids, which are found in the diet. There has been a contoversy as to whether or not the diet affects the brain. Dr. richard Wurtman of MIT and his wife, Judith Wurtman (also a researcher) both say "Yes." This is also the view of the late Linus Pauling, this author (Olson), Dr. Andrew Weil, and many others. Note the similarity in chemical structure between the neurotranmitters and these aromatic compounds.

Vitamin C, highly touted by Linus Pauling, is shown here. Also shown is lactic acid, which has been repeatedly reported to be high is schizophrenia. On top of that, infusions of lactic acid have provoked panic attacks in panic disorder patients, but not in normals.

Bioflavonoids are shown here. Some have been recommended by alternative medicine enthusiasts.

This structure of LSD clipart was taken from a clipart website in Bristol, England. LSD was extracted by Hoffman from ergot. LSD is abnormal in the human body, although it is normal in a type of mold. LSD can produce a model psychosis, and therefore is studied in abnormal psychology and in psychiatry.

This clipart of aromatic compounds was also taken from Pharmacology Central. Catechol is important because it is part of the structure of catecholamines, which include dopamine.

Some important drugs are shown here. Pharmacology Central is an outstanding source of information on drugs.

This is the brain as seen in 1610. This image is shown courtesy of the National Library of Medicine.

Shown here is a photograph of Dr. Julius Axelrod, presented courtesy of the National Library of Medicine. Axelrod was the pride and joy of NIMH, the National Institute of Mental Health. Axelrod followed in the footsteps of Sherrington and his pupil, Eccles. Sherrington & Eccles were brilliant British scientists who thought that the brain should be studied at the level of the neuron. Both studied neurotransmitters.