Medieval world seems to have been defined by high levels of serotonin

nigma

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The medieval world seems to have been defined by high levels of serotonin in people. I wonder what caused it?

E.g. the stiff, unrealistic artwork, especially the faces. The authoritarian culture, etc.

Was it something in the air or water?
 
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nigma

nigma

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This may be an answer:


Historical Review
Convulsive ergotism: epidemics of the serotonin syndrome?​

Prof Mervyn J Eadiea


Summary​

Between 1085 and 1927, epidemics of “convulsive ergotism” were widespread east of the Rhine in Europe due to consumption of grain contaminated with ergot, which is produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. West of the Rhine, consumption of ergot-contaminated food caused epidemics of gangrenous ergotism. The clinical features of convulsive ergotism—muscle twitching and spasms, changes in mental state, hallucinations, sweating, and fever lasting for several weeks—suggest serotonergic overstimulation of the CNS (ie, the serotonin syndrome). The ergot alkaloids are serotonin agonists. Dihydroergotamine binds to serotonin receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which is the site of neuropathological changes in convulsive ergotism. Dihydroergotamine given to human beings can cause the serotonin syndrome. Ergots produced by different strains of Claviceps purpurea, and those growing in different soils, may have different ergot alkaloid compositions. An alkaloid, present in high concentrations in ergots from east of the Rhine, may have caused convulsive ergotism at a circulating concentration insufficient to produce peripheral ischaemia. The serotonin syndrome may, therefore, have been a public-health problem long before it was recognised as a complication of modern psychopharmacology.
 

Nomane Euger

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@nigma if you consider that what is claimed to have happened in "medieval times"is somewhat true,just foods on its own can cause these many of these tendencies in people head,not that peoples these days dont have similar tendencies,most of the problematic phenomenons that allegedly happened in "medieval times" are still happening in our times to vartying degrees and some nuances for some.suboptimal foods can increase your intolerance to others and to things in general and potentially make you commit bad,even atrocious acts if the potential consequences on yourself are not to bad
 

cupofcoffee

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This image of the middle ages is an abomination created by our culture. The middle ages have been a thousand years long period than saw technological progress, huge advancements in arts and the rise and fall of several civilizations. There might have been some dark serotonergic moments but we can't just describe this period as an obscurantist nightmare, it's unfair
 
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nigma

nigma

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@nigma if you consider that what is claimed to have happened in "medieval times"is somewhat true,just foods on its own can cause these many of these tendencies in people head,not that peoples these days dont have similar tendencies,most of the problematic phenomenons that allegedly happened in "medieval times" are still happening in our times to vartying degrees and some nuances for some.suboptimal foods can increase your intolerance to others and to things in general and potentially make you commit bad,even atrocious acts if the potential consequences on yourself are not to bad
Yes, agree. But that period of time just seems severely affected.
 

LeeLemonoil

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E.g. the stiff, unrealistic artwork, especially the faces. The authoritarian culture, etc.

The Former also due to techniques and habits. The culture wasn’t that authoritarian at all. Medieval gets underestimated or misinterpreted a lot. It’s the birth if Renaissance mind. Feudalism has aspects of authoritarianism as had every preceding social system - but it wasn’t absolutism
 

LeeLemonoil

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This image of the middle ages is an abomination created by our culture. The middle ages have been a thousand years long period than saw technological progress, huge advancements in arts and the rise and fall of several civilizations. There might have been some dark serotonergic moments but we can't just describe this period as an obscurantist nightmare, it's unfail
Yep
 
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nigma

nigma

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The Former also due to techniques and habits. The culture wasn’t that authoritarian at all. Medieval gets underestimated or misinterpreted a lot. It’s the birth if Renaissance mind. Feudalism has aspects of authoritarianism as had every preceding social system - but it wasn’t absolutism
There seems to have been a degredation in art from the roman empire to the medieval period.. perhaps serotonin rose with the fall of the empire, the effect on food supply, scarcity, etc. Then eventually Europe rose out of it during the renaissance?
 

Nomane Euger

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Yes, agree. But that period of time just seems severely affected.
in wich aspect does this period seems more affected that our times?
 
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nigma

nigma

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in wich aspect does this period seems more affected that our times?
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nigma

nigma

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I agree that in our times we are quickly heading to higher serotonin in the populous.
 

LeeLemonoil

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I agree that in our times we are quickly heading to higher serotonin in the populous.
There seems to have been a degredation in art from the roman empire to the medieval period.. perhaps serotonin rose with the fall of the empire, the effect on food supply, scarcity, etc. Then eventually Europe rose out of it during the renaissance?
Could be. I’m definitely estranged by the sort of art you gave examples of.
In the end I guess it’s not only due to these more physiological occurrences that food shortages etc could cause - but also the fact that the Roman Empire and it’s Latin Population with centuries of absorberd and established culture was replaced by German tribes. They and their descendants simply couldn’t do or would’nt do what the Romans did.

Not before Single individuals for themselves rediscovered how far advanced the empire was and rediscovered that cultures techniques.
 

Nebula

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The medieval world seems to have been defined by high levels of serotonin in people. I wonder what caused it?

E.g. the stiff, unrealistic artwork, especially the faces. The authoritarian culture, etc.

Was it something in the air or water?
Famines every few years. Lower classes basically ate gruel with little to no dairy and eggs. Meat very rarely.
 

DMF

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This image of the middle ages is an abomination created by our culture. The middle ages have been a thousand years long period than saw technological progress, huge advancements in arts and the rise and fall of several civilizations. There might have been some dark serotonergic moments but we can't just describe this period as an obscurantist nightmare, it's unfair
Victor Hugo was a big proponent of the Middle Ages - it's advances especially architecture.
 

Don

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This may be an answer:


Historical Review​

Convulsive ergotism: epidemics of the serotonin syndrome?​

Prof Mervyn J Eadiea


Summary​

Between 1085 and 1927, epidemics of “convulsive ergotism” were widespread east of the Rhine in Europe due to consumption of grain contaminated with ergot, which is produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. West of the Rhine, consumption of ergot-contaminated food caused epidemics of gangrenous ergotism. The clinical features of convulsive ergotism—muscle twitching and spasms, changes in mental state, hallucinations, sweating, and fever lasting for several weeks—suggest serotonergic overstimulation of the CNS (ie, the serotonin syndrome). The ergot alkaloids are serotonin agonists. Dihydroergotamine binds to serotonin receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, which is the site of neuropathological changes in convulsive ergotism. Dihydroergotamine given to human beings can cause the serotonin syndrome. Ergots produced by different strains of Claviceps purpurea, and those growing in different soils, may have different ergot alkaloid compositions. An alkaloid, present in high concentrations in ergots from east of the Rhine, may have caused convulsive ergotism at a circulating concentration insufficient to produce peripheral ischaemia. The serotonin syndrome may, therefore, have been a public-health problem long before it was recognised as a complication of modern psychopharmacology.
I think i read somewhere that nazi 's rise to power in germany might have been from the fungus in the bread.
 

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