Comments on: I don't read Chinese, but I do speak Science.

Question: I don't read Chinese, but I do speak Science.

i_am_a_fiesta — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:57:02 -0800

I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of a bunch of organic molecules that represent positive traits, feelings, etc. More along the lines of serotonin representing happiness than ethanol or caffeine representing happiness. What are your ideas for emotions/ traits and their corresponding chemicals?

By: SuperSquirrel

SuperSquirrel — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:01:51 -0800

Epinephrine/adrenaline = energy, optimism

Fun idea!

By: Blazecock Pileon

Blazecock Pileon — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:06:02 -0800

Laughing gas

By: sunshinesky

sunshinesky — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:10:41 -0800

dopamine - love

By: phunniemee

phunniemee — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:13:08 -0800

ATP = Power?

By: sk381

sk381 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:15:38 -0800

Helen Fisher has attempted to break down temperaments into 4 basic categories based on the levels of certain brain chemicals expressed in individuals. You might find this brief interview with her on her work and the chemicals she mentions in it interesting.

By: nebulawindphone

nebulawindphone — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:15:49 -0800

It's hard to map molecules one-to-one onto emotions, honestly. I mean, serotonin can mean "happy," "calm," "sleepy," "hallucinating wildly" or "vomiting," depending on which receptor it's binding with and at what doses and what else is going on in the brain at the moment.

Similarly, dopamine is sort of involved in love, I guess, but it's also involved in learning and memory, motivation, schizophrenia, cocaine addiction, aggression, orgasms, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Putting a molecule on your body because some dude on the internet told you it means "love" is like putting a Chinese character on your body because some dude in a tattoo parlor told you it means "spirit." I'm not trying to hate on the project here — it's actually a really cool idea for a tattoo — but let's not oversimplify things, eh?

By: fearnothing

fearnothing — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:16:53 -0800

Sucrose, sweetness for a good nature?

By: euphorb

euphorb — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:18:20 -0800

DNA = wisdom/intelligence

oxytocin = love

testosterone = strength

By: juliplease

juliplease — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:21:35 -0800

estrogen=strength, too :)

By: Civil_Disobedient

Civil_Disobedient — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:28:12 -0800

Tryptamine = Consciousness

(Serotonin in a tryptamine, btw.)

By: charmcityblues

charmcityblues — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:34:58 -0800

Check out this blog that documents science tattoos!

By: kldickson

kldickson — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:48:57 -0800

acetylcholine = learning

By: BrnP84

BrnP84 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:59:39 -0800

THC- Hunger

By: Mars Saxman

Mars Saxman — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:03:29 -0800

The obvious symbol of peace, love, unity, and respect would of course be 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

I mean, really.

By: Elysum

Elysum — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:10:23 -0800

My picks:

Dopamine (feeling of anticipation, and reward)
Serotonin (contentedness?)
Adrenaline
Insert-your-favourite Endorphin/endogenous-Opiod,-here
Oxytocin (bonding)

By: BlackLeotardFront

BlackLeotardFront — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:20:53 -0800

Benzene=unity, ambiguity. Either of the center representations would be cool (the bonds shift)

By: natabat

natabat — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:37:36 -0800

You might also be interested in this Etsy shop -- same idea, but with jewelry instead of tattoos.

By: i_am_a_fiesta

i_am_a_fiesta — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:28:03 -0800

@nebulawindphone: you make a valid point. i understand that chemicals in our bodies effect us in many ways, and that there are external factors to our feelings, as well. the purpose of such a tattoo would be to have a symbolic reminder of the things my body is capable of, and to have a permanent and visual reminder of what is important to me. my simplification is intentional.

@natabat: that's totally where i got the idea initially!

@everyone else: thanks for your suggestions, and more are certainly appreciated!

By: mippy

mippy — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:44:26 -0800

You might also be interested in this Etsy shop -- same idea, but with jewelry instead of tattoos.

I was bought one of those as a birthday present and it came with a little temporary tattoo!

By: i_am_a_fiesta

i_am_a_fiesta — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:47:42 -0800

For archive purposes: I ended up with Serotonin and I'm extremely happy with it. Thanks, Metafilter, for your help!

By: nebulawindphone

nebulawindphone — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:30:59 -0800

Nice! I'm glad my curmudgeonly little rant didn't change your mind about it, because that is one sweet tattoo. May its influence be more on the "happy" end of the spectrum (and "hallucinating wildly" if you're into that) and less on the "vomiting" end.