The Cure Lies Within

So, I've decided that in addition to bringing some pretty cool science and technology developments to your attention I'm also going to share another one of my passions, good music. Hopefully you can enjoy the melodies and lyrics as you learn something new at the same time.

Today's track is from the album Heist by Seattle-native Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. I like to call his musical style hipster-hop, but regardless of what it's called it will definitely get your head bopping.

I am a big believer that regenerative medicine will play a significant role in the future of healthcare. While surgery and pharmaceuticals are frequently prescribed for many of today's ailments, ongoing research has shown the propensity for the body to heal itself given the right chemical signals and environmental cues. Current therapies include injecting cells optimized to fight cancer or rejuvenate damaged tissue, or prescribing drugs to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, but what if the body's ability to do these things could be tapped into instead?

Endogenous opiod systems
Neurology August 21, 2012 vol. 79 no. 8 807-814

Research based out of the University of Michigan showed that electrically stimulating particular regions of the brain could induce the release of an endogenous (produced in the body naturally) painkiller substance. Instead of giving morphine or other opiates, this therapy directly activates the same targets in the brain and provides a cheaper (no prescription costs), fewer side effects (no addiction), and more natural treatment for those suffering from chronic pain.

My hope is that one day we will be able to utilize this same concept of 'endogenous medicine' to manipulate and control the stem cells already present in our bodies to reverse tissue and organ degeneration caused by disease and aging.

Thanks kurzweilai.net for bringing this story to my attention.