Perks of Having Fluffy / A Trip to Music City

I thought I'd do something a bit different this week. Last semester, I gave a speech on some of the benefits of having a dog. I didn't get to cover the obvious things like companionship and exercise, but I hope you get to learn something:
(Note: I also left off references.)

Introduction

“Man’s best friend.” How many times have you heard this phrase to describe our four-legged canine friends? But have you ever really taken the time to consider the benefits that a dog may offer? The simple act of petting a dog can lead to internal health benefits for humans.

In order to help you understand this action on a deeper level, I’m going to take you on a journey – a journey through your own body. I’ll start with the physical action of actually petting a dog, follow this nerve stimulus to its effects in the brain, and explain certain effects that these impulses have on the human body.

From the Finger’s First Touch up to the Brain

Upon first touch with the dog, nerve receptors in your finger respond/react.These nerve receptors are a part of the somatosensory system. These receptors send a nerve impulse (synapse) and create a pathway up to the brain.

The domino effect – one impulse after another to create this pathway to the brain from the finger. Each neuron must receive and pass this impulse; the action potential must be high enough for the impulse to actually reach the brain.

When in the Brain…

The immune system trigger: Scientific studies conducted at Wilkes University suggest that the simple action of petting a dog can lead to a boost in the immune system by increasing antibodies/immunoglobulins.

Nervous system responses: Dopamine (neurotransmitter in the brain) and Serotonin (neurotransmitter, in brain for primary functions but mostly found in the GI tract) are both released as a result of this movement and stimulation. This also leads to the release of oxytocin (neurotransmitter in the brain; from the pituitary gland).

So what’s a neurotransmitter? It’s like a highway in our brain that helps transport information from one place to another.

So now that we know the cause, what’s the effect?

            Does touching really make us healthier? Well, As mentioned above, this pet of the dog can lead to an increase in antibodies/immunoglobulins. These two items help build up and strengthen the immune system.

Other studies suggest that the presence of or action of petting a dog may also lead to an increase in levels of dopamine and serotonin in the nervous system. There is use in ADHD therapy because this condition tends to be associated with low dopamine levels. Both neurotransmitters are needed for human behaviors like mood, appetite, cognition, motivation, learning, attention, etc.

Scientists have also studied an increase in oxytocin levels as a result of animal petting. Oxytocin has been found to be related to bonding, maternal instincts, and increasing trust / reducing fear (in the brain, but also has other uses throughout the body).

Conclusion

Now you can see that the touch of a dog leads to the development of a pathway from the finger to the brain. The brain then responds by releasing certain neurotransmitters which act as highways for information. Once the information is relayed, ultimately beneficial effects can be seen in the body.

Therefore, as a result of this phenomenon, dogs are beneficial to use in therapy settings, e.g. children with ADHD and nursing homes.

So next time you lean down to pet the family pet or the neighbor’s dog, think about this process going on inside of your body as a result of that simple touch of the finger to the fur of the dog.

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Life Update: I think Georgia is confused. Today and tomorrow are snow days once more, all in one winter season! What is this madness? 

Last Tuesday I had class and work, as usual, before coming home and crashing on my bed / studying for my tests later in the week. Pretty much for the remainder of the week, Wednesday and Thursday, my time was spent studying and getting pumped for a weekend in Nashville.

Then Friday, aka: my 21st birthday, came. I had 2 tests and a quiz, and then Laila and I loaded up the car and made a beeline for Music City. (Literately, we didn't realize that there was an hour time change, so we were rushing for the Opry.) We enjoyed a wonderful night at the Grand Ole Opry, complete with a lineup of artists like Dierks Bentley, Josh Wilson, Steve Wariner, The Henningsens, and so many more. And I can't forget Eddie.

At the Grand Ole Opry

Saturday was jam-packed with adventuring around the city. We walked Broadway in the snow before taking a tour of the city and surroundings. We visited the capitol, saw the Parthenon, went to the American Pickers store, creeped on Taylor Swift's apartment, and had a lot of fun. After the tour, we walked around downtown for a few hours, popping in and out of stores and taking hundreds of pictures. We even toured the Ryman and found time to eat some lunch.

The Capitol with the City in the Background

The Bridge View

Trying Our Hand at this Music Business

Touring the Ryman

Around 3:30ish, we went back to the hotel to rest up for the night and download pictures and what-not. Around 6, we headed back out on the town. We headed down the street to the Wildhorse Saloon for dinner and line dancing. We managed to stay there for over 4 hours; we enjoyed some amazing fried pickles, took pictures with horses, learned over 10 new line dances, and had a great time! It was probably one of the most fun nights I've had in a while.

Wildhorse Saloon

Afterwards, we headed back down "Honky Tonk Highway," as it's most famously called. I got some yummy Tiramisu gelato, and we also got some free ,freshly-made praline! We eventually headed back to the hotel for a few hours of sleep. We drove back to Athens on Sunday, taking our time and even stopping to play with some puppies and bunnies. Just cause.

I spent Sunday night unpacking and going through pictures (and still doing line dances in my head). Monday. It was back to the real world. I had class, got all my things back from Friday (which were good, in case you were wondering), had DT, went to dance, had a test review, and attended a meeting before coming home and sleeping.

I found out that class had been cancelled for today in my meeting, so I slept til around noon today. Much needed. I'll be heading to work in a few hours, and I have some stuff I need to study and work on for class. So I guess that's what I'll be doing for today and tomorrow, since we don't have class tomorrow either! Well, here's to 2 more snow days this year. (And for seeing snow for 3 weeks in a row...wow...)

Bundle Up!

Megan

Video of the Week: Sam Tsui - "Let It Go / Let Her Go - Mashup"