A small clinical trial revealed that the hallucinogen DMT may be an effective antidepressant, offering relatively rapid relief from the symptoms of clinical depression, according to Ars Technica. While research continues into how psychedelic drugs affect the brain, other technological advancements are also making headlines, including claims about AI's ability to combat climate change, the complexities of blockchain technology, and the ethical considerations of reality television.
Evidence has been accumulating over the past few years that psychedelic drugs can provide relief from depression, according to Ars Technica. These drugs appear to boost the brain's ability to remodel connections among neurons. However, researchers are still working to understand how these pathways connect to the brain's ability to change itself.
Meanwhile, in the realm of artificial intelligence, Google claimed in late 2023 that AI could cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 5 to 10 percent by 2030, as reported by Wired. Energy researcher Ketan Joshi was surprised by the magnitude of this claim, especially AI's purported ability to cut emissions equivalent to what the European Union emits each year. "I found the emissions claim really compelling because there's very few things that can do that," Joshi said. He then set out to investigate the source of the claim.
In the world of cryptocurrency, MIT Technology Review reported on THORChain, a blockchain that allows users to swap cryptocurrencies. The blockchain is permissionless, meaning anyone can use it without approval from a central authority. The founder, Jean-Paul Thorbjornsen, initially used a pseudonym and an AI-generated avatar.
In other news, a piece in Nature News described a surreal experience involving flickering street lights, vibrating fillings, and a warped laptop screen that led to a simulated laboratory environment. The author described the experience as a "consciousness rebooted in fragments."
Finally, Time magazine drew a parallel between reality TV production and military operations, highlighting the "fog of war" that can make it difficult to predict outcomes or assign blame in high-stakes situations. The article noted that both reality TV and military operations involve authority figures formulating strategies and issuing orders.
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