Link follows link, and I came across this sciencedaily.com article detailing how mad scientists think they might have worked out the gene responsible for bipolar (manic) depression, by filtering and adding genes (in this case GluR6) until they made manic mice.

From the article:

The mice underwent a series of tests designed to approximate the symptoms of mania. The researchers found that mice that were missing the GluR6 gene exhibited many of these symptoms. They were more active in multiple tests and super-responsive to amphetamine, which is used in animal models to approximate hyperactivity. These mice also exhibited less anxious or more risk-taking type behavior and less despair-type behavior. They also tended to be more aggressive.

So, ignoring any ethical questions for the moment, it’d be really bloody ace to filter out manic depression on the way down. Even better, can someone brew something that takes the gene away when you go out for an ale? That would be a killer app.

I’ve noticed a few colleagues, peers, friends and acquaintances have posted recently about ‘life changes’, depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder. For those who don’t know, SAD is the ‘winter blues’ where one gets a bit down as the nights draw in, resulting in general pissed-offness with the world and stuff. The geek community are, by and large, prone to bipolar depression anyway, so this tends to get exacerbated at this time of year.

I’ve been aware that I’ve got a mild form of manic depression for years – it’s mixed in with the mild diabetes that plagues the whole Rowbottom side of the family, and can be controlled fairly simply by diet. I once got prescribed seroxat by the doctor, which frankly turned me into a nutcase so I stopped taking them and learned to control the whole thing with a series of tips and steps. I’m not saying these will work 100% for you – you will need to sort stuff out yourself – but this will help sort out the world eventually, and without drugs.

1. Eat two pieces of fruit a day – the sugar will help balance your system.
2. Carry around a single bar of chocolate with you ‘in case of low blood sugar’. Try not to eat it, but if you really get to the stage of tired irritability it can provide a good boost in case you’re not able to get to the café soon enough.
3. Go for a walk each day. I tend to change because my routine changes frequently, but I’ve walked to and from the office before, or walked around the town on a lunchtime. Don’t be tempted to do a ‘desktop picnic’.
4. Always try and consciously notice something which cheers you up, be that some daft video, an image, or just opening your wallet to look at a pic of your kids. If you don’t have kids, look at a picture of someone you really love. Works a treat.
5. Have a proper dinner. Nothing murders you and makes you more tired than not eating properly, especially if you spend all night asleep and then skip breakfast too.

You’ll have good days, you’ll have bad days. Sometimes the bad days can really screw you, but with practice you can stop all that. Trust me, I’ve done it.