LOVE NOT WAR

Ecstasy may help traumatised veterans

United States scientists say the drug ecstasy may help war veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The trial study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found that the drug seems to improve the effects of therapy in military veterans.

The researchers, led by Dr Rick Doblin of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies in California, say ecstasy could help reduce a patient's fear, enabling them to get more out of their therapy sessions.

The trial only studied 20 patients but the researchers have gained approval to complete a larger study.

SOFT IN THE HEAD

Expert won't rule out Octopus Paul's psychic ability

PETA is calling for him to be released back into the Mediterranean. I hope they achieve their aim. Paul has earned freedom for his dotage. Most octopuses only live to be one to three years old, and Paul is already two-and-a-half.

Some other interesting squiddy facts

One species impersonates poisonous black and white sea snakes by putting six arms down a hole and waving the other two around like a writhing sea snake
It can also impersonate poisonous lionfish with "barbs" sticking out on its body.

An animal 1m across could squeeze through a 30mm hole. They squeeze their eyes out of shape and pull their soft brains through the middle of these holes.
They're very, very fast growing creatures - a lot of them only live one year and then die of old age, they're very different to say deep sea fish.

Their nervous system is fundamentally different from that of vertebrates.
Cuttlefish, squid and octopuses are considered the most intelligent invertebrates and show an important example of advanced cognitive evolution in animals.