Sinemet is a pharmaceutical drug engineered by Merck that combines Carbidopa (a peripheral enzymatic inhibitor of DOPA decarboxylase) and Levodopa (an agent that crosses the blood-brain barrier to increase central concentrations of dopamine); hence it is frequently referred to as “Carbidopa-Levodopa.” The drug was initially approved by the U.S. FDA in 1988 for the treatment …
Requip (Ropinirole) is a drug initially approved in 1997 by the United States FDA for the treatment of [early or advanced-stage] idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. In the management of Parkinson’s disease, Requip can be utilized either as: a standalone agent or as an adjunct to L-DOPA. After its initial approval for the attenuation of Parkinson’s symptoms, …
Most people associate meditation with laser-like focus, expanded internal awareness, emotional stability, and cognitive enhancement. Plus there is mounting evidence to suggest that many of these claims are valid, just read all of the scientific benefits of meditation. The new wave of meditation science, coupled with development of meditation apps (e.g. Headspace), and celebrities attributing their success …
Hypnopompic hallucinations refer to bizarre sensory experiences that occur during the transitory period between a sleeping state and wakefulness. Imagine sensing that you are slowly transitioning from a sleeping state to being fully awake, when at some point during that transition, you begin seeing vivid geometric shapes, hearing sounds, or even sensing touch. These sensations …
Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon that approximately 7% of the world’s population will experience at some point in their lives. Furthermore, it is thought that among individuals with diagnosable sleep disorders (e.g. narcolepsy), nearly 40% will deal with episodes of sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis is characterized by the body and musculature being rendered completely immobile …
Sleep paralysis is a condition characterized by full or semi-conscious waking during sleep, despite an inability to move and/or speak (paralysis). The conscious awareness is thought to be a result of the brain’s inability to properly transition through sleep stages. This leads to abnormal activity of brain waves – with heavy alpha waves, bursts of …
Have you ever experienced a nightmare, became conscious, but were unable to move your body? This is a phenomenon known as isolated sleep paralysis that an estimated 5% to 40% of the general population experiences at one point or another throughout their lifetime. During this condition, you may feel extreme fear, notice the fight-or-flight response, …