Scientists studying stroke patients are reporting today that an injury to a specific part of the brain, near the ear, can instantly and permanently break a smoking habit. People with the injury who stopped smoking found that their bodies, as one man put it, “forgot the urge to smoke.”
All research in the field had been looking at areas of the brain's cortex. The injury in the case presented was to the insula that lies deep within the brain. The scientists seemed surprised.
Great news for some, not hopeful for others, especially for what has become the number one health concern in the US - obesity. It seems that the brain makes a very particular distinction:
The patients’ desire to eat, by contrast, was intact. This suggests, the authors wrote, that the insula is critical for behaviors whose bodily effects become pleasurable because they are learned, like cigarette smoking.
The article also makes a point that they're are not going to go around and injure people's brains to stop their addictions. BUT, aren't they already injured, or at least damaged?
As an amusing aside, a friend sent me this cartoon that befits the story and also reminded me of my all time favorite joke. Both follow below.
Two drag queens were waiting for the no. 141 bus on Broadway when a german shepard sat down next to them and began licking himself.
One of the girls noticed this and said to her girlfriend, "Wish I could do that."
Her friend looked down and replied, "Looks like a friendly dog. Go ahead..."
oh, my...
again, be careful what you wish for...
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