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Genetic Reason for Your Gadget Habit

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the well-lookie-there dept.

You can't help it if you need to get the latest gadgets. Well... perhaps it's not quite such a serious medical affliction, but scientists have found a genetic basis for some folks' burning desire to have the latest and greatest. There's even a name for it - neophilia. Apparently, some of us have elevated levels of a cellular enzyme, monoamine oxidase A, and are more in need of stimulation from new things.

2 of 239 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Is there a cure? by milamber3 · · Score: 4, Informative

    There are ways to cut the levels, MAOI drugs which inhibit MAO's from breaking down the monoanime neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, serotonin) are pretty powerful anti-depressants. Unfortunately they have some very unfriendly reactions with other meds as well as side effects and increased health risks. MAO's do so much more than just make you want new stuff.

  2. You know, if you were a real geek... by porkchop_d_clown · · Score: 4, Informative

    this would be old news.

    I mean, "neophilia" has been in the jargon file since, what, 1973?

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