On January 13th, I attended a debate in Santa Monica between Rabbi Michael Gotlieb, Dr. Theodore Drange and Dr. Yaron Brook. The topic was “God vs. Atheism” and both Dr. Drange and Dr. Brook were representing the atheist side. The debate was engaging, entertaining and frustrating, as I have a number of other points I did not feel were properly addressed.
I walked away from that debate wanting to sit down with the Rabbi and engage in more of a discussion about religion, faith & science. I decided to write him a letter, which I will send him, but that I can share publicly to explain my own lack of faith to those who have asked me. Continue reading Stardust Spirituality→
Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter.
It regulates a number of functions within the body, but my largest interest in it is how approximately 10% of serotonin in the body is synthesized in serotonergic neurons of the central nervous system, where it regulates mood, appetite and sleep, as well as affecting cognitive functions of memory & learning.
Popularly, serotonin is thought to contribute to feelings of happiness.
A dear friend of mine (of nearly 20 years) has the above image tattooed on her forearm. She and many other friends of mine have struggled with depression. I’m immensely thankful in my life that I have always seemed to have enough serotonin, even in the days when I would experiment with various chemicals which would cause my body to release more (and can be problematic for those who do not produce enough).
I spend a lot of time around people who are taking substances which affect their serotonin receptors.
As my dear friend went to a tattoo shop here in Las Vegas to get a new tattoo following a tremendous heartbreak (in October of this year), I began speaking with the other artist in the shop that day, and within a few hours had decided to get my own serotonin molecule, for a variety of the reasons I’ve mentioned above.
In December I was in Los Angeles, and Judd Weiss and I did a photo shoot, which included a number of shots of my ink.
Photo by Judd Weiss.Photo by Judd Weiss.
Tattoo #5. Done by Brett at Redemption Tattoo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Eventually each tattoo I have will be explained and pictured on this blog. Today was the day for serotonin.
“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” – Anais Nin
