Note: I found this letter/essay on a faded piece of
school notebook paper in an old book that I purchased at a recent used book
sale. There was no signature or byline. It was very hard to read.
It was practically scribbled. But the first line grabbed me, because I am
interested in discoveries. And so I struggled to read it. I had to
rewrite it because it was really hard to decipher. It looked like it was
a huge effort for the person that wrote it.
The Significance
Apparatus
In my research I have discovered a new physiological protein receptor
that when activated can lead to very addictive postures.
It is well known that drugs like cocaine simply activate receptors in
the brain that already exist for other purposes. Usually the drug acts
just like some other molecule in our body only the drug works
"better". We have switches in our brain that when turned on can
cause a myriad of responses. Some molecules attach to molecular receptors
on nerve endings and the thrown switch may be a sense of well-being or even
euphoria. Often times what the drug does is it grabs onto the receptor
better than the natural molecule. The drug may bind tighter and not let go like
the weaker natural molecule does. In that way, it works
"better." The result of the drug is a much stronger or
prolonged stimulus. It is often so strong that entire brain pathways are
altered. Proteins in the brain can be chemically changed resulting in
what we call "addiction".
The receptor I discovered is similar, but it is activated by a touch not
by a specific drug. The receptor is near the middle of the back. When a
simple tap activates this receptor the subdermal protein's structure is
temporarily altered and it sends a signal to the brain. It is almost like
pushing a button. A feeling of well-being follows. Some have described the
experience as a sense of importance or significance. That is why I call
this protein the “significance receptor”. There is also a noticeable reflective
response. The person receiving the stimulus almost always stands up straighter.
It is almost impossible for an individual to reach back and pat their own
receptor, although some have been seen trying to activate their own receptor.
The "natural" purpose of the receptor is probably to cause a
very positive feeling like when a mother wraps her arms around a young child
and unwittingly activates the protein receptor.
Most people are not even aware of the actual receptor. They just think patting someone on the back
is a perfectly natural thing to do. Some
say it is just a cultural gesture.
I just happened upon the discovery of this protein by accident.
