Snails on Meth Have Sharper Memories

nationalgeographic ^ | June 3, 2010 | Brian Handwerk

[JoeProBono]

Snails on speed don't get speedier—but their supercharged brains do learn better and make memories that last much longer, a new study says.

Scientists gave pond snails the amphetamine crystal meth to explore the memory-related brain processes that get humans so hooked on the drug.

Human meth users experience sensations of happiness and high self-esteem that help make the drug extremely addictive. Scientists suspect that such cravings may be tied to powerful "pathological memories" that make such highs difficult to forget.

"We were not trying to addict the snails," said study co-author Barbara Sorg, a biochemist at Washington State University in Pullman. "We were trying to see how meth might create a better memory in the very early stages of the brain process."

Drugged Snails Remember Irritation

Pond snails don't have the memory skills of more complex creatures, but they can recall experiences and learn from them.

During the experiment, Sorg and colleagues put aquatic snails in tanks, some of which contained meth-laced water, and some that that contained regular water. As aquatic creatures, the snails breathe mostly through their skins, but will extend air tubes above the water's surface when oxygen is scarce.

Low-oxygen levels in the water caused the snails to extend their tubes. The researchers poked the tubes with sticks, irritating the animals, thus training them not to extend their tubes.

Snails not exposed to meth seemed to retain long-term memories of the "training" for only a few hours, at which point they would start raising their tubes again.

But snails exposed to meth recalled the poking more than 24 hours later and kept their tubes closed.

[JoeProBono]

[cripplecreek]

The concept of snails on meth is funny all by itself.

Escar-gone

[ilovesarah2012]

I know people who used meth for long periods and their memories are shot. Of course, they are people and not snails.

[Paladin2]

"We were not trying to addict the snails"

Sure lady. We know you are just trying to make fun of druggies.

[TexasCajun]

A snail on meth?

Sorta like matter & anti-matter isn't it?

[Paladin2]

"But snails exposed to meth recalled the poking more than 24 hours later and kept their tubes closed."

The snails became paranoid about the popos.

[Paladin2]

Jumbo Shrimp.

[Smokin' Joe]

I know people who used meth for long periods and their memories are shot. Of course, they are people and not snails.

Yabbut, now they are on par with smart pond snails!

Meth=Misery for all nearby, imho.

[verity]

Sorta like matter & anti-matter isn't it?

Does it matter? ;-)

[ClearCase_guy]

Does it make the snails’ teeth fall out?

[proud American in Canada]

The snails became paranoid about the popos.

LOL!

[pillut48]

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK

[cripplecreek]

Of course, they are people and not snails.

They are now.

[RichInOC]

They don’t go faster? Bummer. I have this mental image of the Cuban snail race from the Guinness commercial.

[pillut48]

The researchers poked the tubes with sticks, irritating the animals, thus training them not to extend their tubes.

...and where the he** is PETA?!?!?!

[taxcontrol]

Yeah that was my thought. These scientists are ASSUMING this is a memory reaction not a paranoid reaction.

[LottieDah]

People on meth have no teeth and barely any memory at all.

[Texas resident]

Washington State University playing around with snails and meth. Glad to see WSU’s student’s parents money going to good use.

[ilovesarah2012]

Absolutely. Probably the worst drug ever invented.

[GSWarrior]

Scientist seem to have too much time on their hands these days.

[Paladin2]

My kids introduced me to that term some years ago and just now I looked up a possible derivation:

"POPO - A Police officer. especially the ones that rides on bikes. Orgin: California late 80's police officers that patrols certain beaches on bikes wore a vest that said PO in huge blockletters on each of their chest. which means Police Officer. they usually ride around in group of two's. when you see them coming by. you see the word "PO" "PO" when they stand next to each other.

Man.. here comes the PoPo to tell us what to do again."

Poke, Poke works too. ;-)

[240B]

The strangest part

Is that someone somewhere got paid money

to feed Meth Amphetamine to Snails.

Well Hello, what did you do in your last job?

Me? Oh I fed Meth to snails...I was quite good at it. Do you have a need for that sort of thing? I can also feed Cocain to grasshoppers if you need that.

[UCANSEE2]

These scientists are ASSUMING this is a memory reaction not a paranoid reaction.

They need to consult a Snail Psychologist.

[roamer_1]

So... either meth sharpens memory... or reduces it to something somewhat better than a snail?

[llevrok]

meth laced sanils? Could make for an interesting dining expeience

[roamer_1]

Escar-gone

HA!

[uncommonsense]

"Human meth users experience sensations of happiness and high self-esteem that help make the drug extremely addictive."

How interesting. Human esteem increases in direct proportion to brain damage - leading to cognitive challenges, poor judgment, sociopathic behavior, and disregard for the rule of law. Explains a lot about liberals.

[Parmy]

Are the taxpayers paying for this? I think these people need to get a life, and above all productive employment.

[Paladin2]

“Just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean the popos aren’t out to get you.”

[Paladin2]

Time to hunker in your bunker? ;-)

[JoeProBono]

[wardaddy]

What do you call a snail on a ship?

a snailor

my 3 year old's first joke...and I bet I am not the only one

speed and nicotine too both sharpen the synapse...problem is overuse

stimulants have their place but they are easily abused by folks who like that....I never liked the upswing stuff

[proud American in Canada]

That’s very interesting! I had always thought it was just a shortening of “police”.

Thanks for the info! :)

[trisham]

So, I guess the choice is:

Being occasionally forgetful.

An improved memory but I'll be toothless and look fifty years older than my true age.

[dfwgator]

Snails on Meth.

I think I finally found a good name for my band.

[JoeProBono]

Snails On Meth Album Cover

[PoloSec]

Good News For Me...I have the memory of a snail

[count-your-change]

How high can escargot?

[Louis Foxwell]

Smarter (dumber) than a pond snail.

[JoeProBono]

[dfwgator]

"Waiter....there are snails on her plate....You would think that in a fancy restaurant at these prices you could keep the snails off the food! There are so many snails there you can't even see the food! Now take those away and bring us those melted cheese sandwich appetizers you talked me out of!"

[Cyclone59]

How in the hell do you measure the memory of a snail and more importantly why would you need to?

[The Comedian]

This calls for new government social programs for snails suffering addiction due to government research programs.

Of course, this will be paid for by higher taxes on "the wealthy". The "wealthy" are defined as anyone whose income is higher than a snail's.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Califreak]

>”We were not trying to addict the snails,”<

Whew. Boy, is that ever a relief. I was really worried there for a minute.

[JoeProBono]

[Califreak]

They might be tweekin just as hard as the snails...

[GonzoGOP]

[GSWarrior]

Escar-gone

If I were a snail I would slug you for that remark.

[gathersnomoss]

Any guesses on who may be funding this study? We’ll Print More.

[gathersnomoss]

From the Way-Back machine. That is deep.