Getting High on Gas Fumes
Just when it seemed like there wasn’t enough whipped cream left to huff after Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, we turn to gasoline – but experts now believe fumes from pumping gasoline can increase incidents of road rage. Several tests conducted using rats at Cairo University showed exposing the little vermin to gas fumes caused them to become more irritated and thus, more aggressive then ones breathing regular air. Prolonged exposure also caused “brains experienced changes in neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum.” – We have no clue what any of that means, but it sounds very scientific!
After dissecting the animals’ brains, results showed “Rats exposed to unleaded gasoline showed indications of increased damage caused by free radicals and altered levels of neurotransmitters in the brain cortex region…” compared to those breathing leaded gasoline, according to Amal Kinawy, a scientist who was in charge of this study. We at Automopedia feel this theory is bull-dookie – case in point: New Jersey drivers do not pump their own gasoline, thus breath in little-to-no fumes. And were on the NJ Turnpike this past weekend? It’s like a NASCAR race! Sounds like another study needs to be funded. Thanks for killing our buzz, Wired.
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