Although our loved one may leave the mortal plane, they’ll always be a part of us, literally. Our bonds with people, especially love, physically change our brains by creating connections between neurons. It has been shown that the brains of animals that mate for life fold differently before and after they bond with their mate, and it’s quite likely that the same is true for people. This means our loved ones stay with us physically in a way that doesn’t go away after we lose them. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here