
An anonymous reader writes:
D-lysergic acid diethlyamide…what a strange, wonderous, and downright amazing molecule. Having a background in biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, I have long been fascinated by this enigmatic chemical. I initially planned on getting the regular simple stick molecular structure, and sat on that idea for close to 7 years. One night, fairly recently, a tattoo artist friend mentioned to me over lunch that the “ball and stick” model would look much better…what a simple, yet absolutely brilliant idea of which I have no earthly clue why I didn’t think of first. I had to let him tattoo me! It’s better than I ever could have imagined. The picture was taken within a few hours of completion, and there is tattoo ointment over it, making it glisten and giving the appearance of “spots” on certain atoms.
Carl: Takes the LSD theme up a notch, I’d say.
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Mike writes:
The earth and brain are the nucleus of a neuron, whose apical dendrite is a double helix. Reversing the scales reminded me of universal principles that operate across different levels of organization– like diversity is important.
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Sandra writes, “My tattoo is an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell, my favourite type of neuron. Only discovered a few years ago, it detects light without vision and communicates directly to a part of the brain (the suprachiasmatic nucleus) that helps control circadian rhythms.”
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JC writes, “The broken triangle is an illustration of the Gestalt law of closure. The law of closure demonstrates how the mind creates wholes out of parts – and a world out of sensory information – by “filling in the gaps.” Although I’m no longer a professional social scientist, the law is a useful one in the realm of public policy where I’m currently employed. Personally, I use it as a reminder to stay humble, because you never know how much of the world you’re making up as you go along.”
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“This neuron tattoo was done a few months ago. When I was 18, my dad passed away from Lou Gehrig’s, which is a disease of motor neurons that innervate muscles. His battle with neurodegeneration helped me decide on a career in medical research, and I am currently pursuing my PhD in Neuroscience.”–Lindsay
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“I am a neuroscientist. As a graduate student, after successfully passing my qualifying exam, I celebrated by getting this tattoo. It is the hieroglyphic for the word “brain”. It is the earliest written reference to the brain dating back to the 17th century BC. I am convinced that the brain is the greatest mystery in the universe! “–Jason Trageser
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Here’s a neuron tattoo (not mine, but I’m thinking of getting something kinda like it): www.flickr.com/photos/neurollero/45935669/
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