Is it possible that our political persuasion is determined by brain chemistry? Or is our brain chemistry somehow altered to suit our political persuasion? It'd be one of hell a breakthrough to realize that Republicans can't help but vote for Bush because of the way their brains function. That's good news. That means, like depression and anxiety, it can be treated with drugs.
Okay, so I'm only kidding... It might not be treatable.
Anyway, "scientists" (I love that horribly ambiguous term) are studying the connection between brain chemistry and politics.
This article is an incredibly fascinating read...
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SAN DIEGO - Applying some of the same brain-scan technology used to understand Alzheimer’s and autism, scientists are trying to learn what makes a Republican’s mind different from a Democrat’s.
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Last month, Drs. Joshua Freedman and Marco Iacoboni of the University of California at Los Angeles finished scanning the brains of 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Each viewed images of President Bush, John Kerry and Ralph Nader.
When viewing their favorite candidate, all showed increased activity in the region implicated in empathy. And when viewing the opposition, all had increased blood flow in the region where humans consciously assert control over emotions — suggesting the volunteers were actively attempting to dislike the opposition.
Nonetheless, some differences appeared between the brain activity of Democrats and Republicans. Take empathy: One Democrat’s brain lit up at an image of Kerry “with a profound sense of connection, like a beautiful sunset,” Freedman said. Brain activity in a Republican shown an image of Bush was “more interpersonal, such as if you smiled at someone and they smiled back.”
And when voters were shown a Bush ad that included images of the Sept. 11 attacks, the amygdala region of the brain — which lights up for most of us when we see snakes — illuminated more for Democrats than Republicans. The researchers’ conclusion: At a subconscious level, Republicans were apparently not as bothered by what Democrats found alarming.
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"So, Mister Smith, what's been bothering you lately?"
"Well, doc, I've been having all these recurring Republican thoughts and I was hoping... you know... maybe you could help me out?"
"Certainly, let me get you a prescription for that. Clear it right up."