How Psychogenetics &
Nutrigenomics Began
|
|
|
.
|
|
The Kenneth Blum, PhD Life Story: A man seeking truth while reaching for the Stars.
Previous
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
| 6
References
criticized, my teaching style considered unique, and my late night love of music, especially Jazz, not understood. Receiving an e-mail from me these California days at 7: 00 AM on the east coast is not unrealistic, just ask Bill Downs in the Philadelphia area. One of my dear friends Sioma Lubetsky once said " Ken you are like an Ever Ready Battery... you never shut off". When I first went up for a full professorship in 1981 at the Medical School, I was turned down. The reason, according to one of my associates in the department of Pharmacology, Bill Stavinova - "Ken you're an enigma, we never see you." Allan Collins my science buddy said, "Ken I have been trying to prove you wrong for at least 20 years but I have come to the conclusion that it does not pay... 'cause you are right". Finally when I congratulated George Uhl for receiving an award from the American Psychiatric Association, he said, "Ken, maybe you have not received an award for your work on Dopamine, but at least when you and Noble die your respective epitaphs should be engraved with.... "you were right"." Not being so popular, my 'adopted' father Ed Bender (better known as the worst half of Gina, my adopted Mother [both of whom are younger than me) summed it up answering a call- "Hello-I have a real bad headache, but I am driving Dr. Blum to the airport and when he leaves it will be gone!" I love them both. They are great people who selflessly supported me after Arlene died, even when they were struggling to get their business going.
It's lucky; we can deceive ourselves about doing great research. My associates over the many years knew that with me behind the laboratory bench the tempo would be intense and it would be complicated. And, damned if we don't stand there on day one of the research project, grant or no grant, looking at the mice and think this will go well. That is, if we just get through this week with no unforeseen problems, everything will be solved and the rest of the project will be choreographed like a dance! Of course, it's not like that. Every week has its challenges. Every day has its very unique difficulties. Every injection, every measurement, every extraction, can be a new struggle. That's when self-doubt sets in. Even if the nighttime and early morning injections or measurements leave their marks as forms of sleep deprivation, we're all proud to get it done. And, if we just get through tomorrow, everything will keep rolling along. And so we continue, in my case for more than 50 years.
Research is a team effort where every individual must do his or her very best otherwise, we fail and cannot meet the academic push of "publish or perish". Well I suppose I took this seriously after over 400 articles published and eleven books...I am still not satisfied.
So onto the next chapter of my life this time in special hands with my special Ninja Assassins John Giordano (Champion Don), Bill Downs (Expert Martial arts competitor), Roger Waite (tackle football player), James Heaney (astute businessman and accomplished athlete), Eric Braverman (Rabbi), my sister Barbara, my son's Jeff (Victoria his wife and Jia, my amazing granddaughter), Seth (Cardin his fiance), and MO Madigan the son of Margaret, just loving me and Margaret Madigan (also a exmartial artist and yogini ) by my side. And if this does scare you off, I have a back up with Michel Giordano, Kim Downs, Sue Waite, Noah Maizel, Allen Jones, Barbara Cleary, Sailor and Jade Wright, Jennie Fraser, Mark, Fraser, Robin Fraser, Trevor Fraser and their mates and all the Hope family as well.
Looking back at my life, the best way to describe me is as my lovely Marg would say - "You're a weirdo... I think probably an alien". This has been confirmed by Gary Reinl, who said, "Ken you are a Martian!" This sentiment is not too different from when my mother, Lena when asked about her son Kenny - "Who my son -oh he is a meshugena (crazy) but wonderful!"
Considering my own assessment of my life, I must say that I do have a few regrets, especially when it comes to certain unnamed encounters and associations. However, while I may not have yet achieved all my dreams, there have been some very memorable and notable achievements. While being humble and respectful of others who have amazingly fulfilled their dreams; my book with James Payne was my best offering for the Pulitzer. I am very proud of my work on the dopamine D2 receptor gene. It is basic to understanding all addictive, impulsive and compulsive behaviors. I would be very happy indeed to share a Nobel Prize with Ernest Noble for the landmark discoveries, continuing work, and the beneficial impact it could have on improving the quality of life and happiness for millions. Finally, I did try for an Oscar. I wrote a screenplay with my now departed friend James Tilton entitled "My Son the President," which did receive accolades from Rollins and Joffre, producers for famed Woody Allen. - " Your screenplay is quite provocative, very funny and worthy of Woody Allen's scrutiny ...deserves plaudits,... please send it back in three years because Allen is quite busy now" (the Saturday on the heels of Allen's three Oscars for Annie Hall). Through an agent I did meet with Woody Allen personally who took the manuscript, driving off in a white Rolls Royce, and never getting back to me. One former Paramount producer of the movie "Crazy People" wanted it, but Jimmy passed on and that was the end of it and my chance for an Oscar.
Oh well, reaching for the stars I had my share of "brushes with Fame": playing basket ball with Sandy Koufax; having dinner and then partying at an LA disco with Robin Williams; dancing with Bette Mitler into the wee hours at a Hawaii late night music spot; having Lunch with Chevy Chase at a golf resort in California, having lunch with Nicholas Cage and my wife in London; meeting with Francis Ford Coppola at a famous New York restaurant in SOHO; spending time with Richard Harris at the Beverly Hills Wilshire Hotel in LA along with Shirley McClaine; spending some time chatting with Pat Metheney at Birdland in New York City, chatting with Willie Nelson at the Sheraton Bar in New York City; shaking hands with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Salt Lake City at a Weider conference; listening to Denzel Washington talk about the making of "Training Days" at a New York Restaurant; talking to Al Paccino at the Palace hotel in New York City, meeting Robert Redford at Sundance; conversing with McCoy Tyner at Birdland; meeting Garth Brooks at the Capitol Grille in LA; partying with the Grateful Dead, Eagles, Rolling stones and then some as a member of the Haight Ashbury Medical Free Clinic Rock Medicine team in San Francisco. Widely clapping to a great performance of Harper Simon followed by a chat telling him that I met and spoke with Paul in an elevator in a Houston Texas hotel, Simon said, "You actually spoke to my father!" What do you think is the chance that you would bump into Rod Stewart twice in your life? -yes once on line at the Grand Hyatt in New York City and then at the Beverly Hotel famous Polo club.
Having dinner with Henny Youngman, the famous one-liner ["Take my wife-Please, take my wife" ] was quite a surprise when he sat by me at the Carnegie Deli in the big apple. Now I could have my revenge (I waited on his mother in the Catskill Mountains for eight weeks and he gave me a $ 25.00 tip) - "Henry - you are a cheap bastard." After dinner, taking half of my pastrami sandwich for his doorman - and shouting to me, "Take my check -Please take my check."
A highlight in my quest for the stars was meeting with Jackie Mason. The former rabbi-comedian walked into the 57th street New York Deli at about 4:00AM. Seeing me in a suit munching down on a hot dog (having come from the Smalls Jazz club) - he began to blast me and my rhetoric because I was impersonating him 'To-a-Tee. We continued a four hour conversation until sunrise. Nowadays, whenever I see him in the streets of New York walking his dog; or in Las Vegas, or wherever- he says, "It's the gene man!".
I suppose the best way to sum it up came when I asked my common law -brother in-law, William Fraser from Sydney, Australia to describe me by saying-"Kenny, there are no flies on you mate." he did, and there aren't. He's right I keep moving because life doesn't come to those who stand still.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reward Deficiency Solutions Systems
- Find out if you or your children have a genetic predisposition to RDS
- How to eliminate negative RDS behaviors; Stress, Craving, Depression or Anxiety
Hot Topics in Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS)
The Official Journal of Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB)
RDS internet sex pornography addiction and craving
RDS sex addiction, sexual craving, desire, and hormones
Behavioral Problems in Young Children, Toddlers, and Teenagers
Abnormal Behavior Examples in Children, Definition, Articles, Theories, and Disorders
Medication vs Treatment for Compulsive Behavior Disorder in Children and Toddlers (Definition and Addiction Symptoms)
Definition of Erratic Behavior Disorder in Children
Gambling Addict Addiction Stories, Facts, Treatment Centers, Articles and Hotline
I need to know how to find ways to Overcome or Quit Gambling Addiction For Good Tips Hypnosis Hotline
What is and what causes Adrenaline Addiction, Symptoms, Treatment, Wiki, Health, Anxiety, and Reckless Behavior in Adolescence
How to Promote and Improve Well-Being, Well Being, Index, Picture Scale, Therapy, Journal, Five Essential Elements, and Yoga Miami
Healthy Brain, Body, Food, Diet, Tips, Function, Initiative, Life, MRI, Snacks, Book
How Supplements, Herbs, and Foods Enhance Brain Function, Power, and Memory
Improve Brain Function, Power, Performance, Memory, Processing Speed, Supplement, Health, Activity, and Functioning
Improve Memory and Concentration Supplements, Techniques, Vitamins, Retention, Exercises, and Skills
Improve Focus, Memory, and Attention in Children (for Kids)
States How to Increase Mental Awareness Month, Day, Week, Test
Government starts to take control over pseudo-legal medical marijuana industry
How to, Ways to, or Activities to Improve and Promote Wellness
How to,Ways to,Foods that,Supplements that, or Vitamins that Increase,Improve, or Boost Energy Levels Naturally without Caffeine,Diet
Stress Reduction Tips, Exercises, Activities, Strategies, Clinic, Games, Kit, Programs, and Techniques at Work
Reduce Stress and Anxiety Naturally at Work Tips; Exercise in the Workplace, Your Life, and Hormones
Eliminate or Reduce Anxiety Attacks Naturally, Techniques, Symptoms, Without Medication, Public Speaking, in Children, at Work, Stress
Improve Sleep Quality: Habits, Patterns, Hygiene, Efficiency, Cycle, Sleeping Patterns, Sleep Better at Night
Sleep Deprivation: Effects, Treatment, Cure, Depression, Studies, and Sleep Better at Night
Sleep Disorders: Symptoms, Treatment in Children, Toddlers, and Sleep Better at Night
Lose Weight: Fast and Safe, Quickly, in a Week, 2 Weeks, 3 Days, Quick, and Without Exercise or Diet
Weight Loss: Tips, Calculator, Pills, Programs, Supplements, Foods, Success Stories, Plateau, and Diet
Overweight and Obesity: Calculator, Chart, in Children, Help
Decrease Body Fat: Percentage, Quickly, Increase Muscle, Diet, Fat Burning Foods, Smash Diet
How to Lose and Get Rid of: Chubby Stomach, Legs, Thighs, Arms, Chub, Chubbiness
Control Weight: Gain, During Menopause, Columbia, Curling, Lasting, Loss, Portion, How to, and How Does Exercise
Maintain Healthy: Weight, Immune System, Lifestyle, Diet, How to, Ways to, Calories to, and Best Way
Burn a Pound or Pounds: Fat, Day, How Many Calories, Burned
|
|
|
Dr. Blum and Dr. Waite advocated a non-specific "healthy diet" and non-specific regular exercise to accompany a regimen of taking Synaptose
TM
, the nutrigenomic neuroadaptogen they developed based on Dr. Blum's many years of research to increase the endogenous production of Dopamine and reduce negative Reward Deficiency Syndrome behaviors. The scientific evidence they have thus far accumulated, they say, demonstrates that Synaptose
TM
changes the plasticity of the brain synapses while balancing the endogenous neurotransmitters, positively affecting the Brain Reward Cascade.
