Feeding Crack to Rats - Sherlock and the Science of Addiction

[wellingtongoose]

Many writers have analysed Sherlock through the prism of psychology/psychiatry. I explore how brain biochemistry can provide us with an answer to why Sherlock is Sherlock.

In the process I delve into Sherlock’s possible drug habit, the effects of cocaine on the brain, the physiology of addiction, how the brain motivates us and why Sherlock, in

Comments

[mme_hardy]

I can't remember -- in which ACD story does Holmes use heroin?

[wellingtongoose]

I looked up my references - sorry not heroin per se but morphine which is an opiate not an opioid.

In sign of four: morphine is mentioned: "Which is it today, morphine or cocaine?" “It is cocaine. A seven-per-cent solution. Would you care to try it?”

[kizzia]

You've made some very good points! Especially about Sherlock's need for dopamine :) But think this might need a thorough beta - there are quite a few missing worlds and words that don't make sense where you've placed them I.e. at end you say "love affair with dopamine" and I think you mean nicotine, at the top you mean to say cocaine is no longer used as an anaesthetic but you actually say the opposite. .

[wellingtongoose]

Thanks for pointing it out! I wrote this in the middle of the night, should really read it through first.

[captivebird]

Interesting. You make a good case - and clearly enough for a non-scientist like myself to understand. I enjoyed reading it. :-)

[wellingtongoose]

Thank you! I thought it might be interesting.

[dioscureantwins]

Another very thorough meta. Incredibly useful. Thank you for these.

[wellingtongoose]

Thanks! glad you enjoyed it. I'm on holiday at the moment and taking some time to finish these half written metas sitting on my desktop

[rifleman_s]

That's extremely interesting. I know (knew!) virtually nothing about drugs and addiction, but this has made me think a little more deeply.

These Metas you provide are quite invaluable to the 'thinking' process!

[wellingtongoose]

Why thank you, I'm very flattered. I thought the biochemistry would be a interesting new way of looking at Sherlock and I'm glad the science wasn't too dry.