When the Books are Published, they'll go here!
Just, imagine them for now...
Generic writing that will describe said book when it's put here...
If you can't wait until then, here is a sample to tide you over! A 500-word writing competition submission to a chemistry short story contest.
The Emergency Cortex Chemical Regulator
Jim exited the neuron after arriving at his stop, ‘Michael's Prefrontal Cortex’. He walked, adjusting his badge, ‘Emergency Chemical Regulator Manager’, analysing his surroundings. The Cortex still recovering from the trough of Michael’s depression. Yet workers were coming off the night shift, groggy.
Jim arrived in his office with haste, ‘The Department of Chemical Regulation’, relieving the weary night manager, Cory. A green light flashed on screen, meaning Michael was awake. However, the dopamine and serotonin levels were catastrophic, indicated by a flashing red bar chart.
“What happened?” Jim demanded.
“The Department of Social Interaction’s roof gave way to peer pressure,” Cory sighed. “Michael exceeded the recommended alcohol intake last night, depleting our dopamine levels.”
“Idiots,” Jim cursed, noting the trace of ethanol in Michael's system.
“Best of luck fixing it,” Cory said, shrugging, and left, Jim rolling up his sleeves.
Social tried to cancel Michael’s itinerary, but Jim wouldn’t have that. He pressed the emergency override to the Department of Decision-Making (the DM). Michael stirred and took his medication. The SERT proteins were blocked, and an increase in serotonin was registered on Jim’s computer.
The DM requested Jim’s thoughts on a run. Jim approved, suggesting this would release endorphins, the brain's natural opioids. Following protocol, Michael went for a run, with serotonin and dopamine rising to a higher level, becoming orange on the graph. Not quite green. Green was hard to achieve.
Michael lined up in the queue for the bakery, the DM contacting Jim again. Michael had a hard week and had just done a run, so Jim recommended a pastry with chocolate, as it contained tryptophan, boosting serotonin. The DM agreed, and Michael ate two pain-au-chocolat as he waited for his friend. Social informed Jim of which friend and the aim of the conversation. Jim signed off, providing Social and Emotional with intel on the chemical impacts from when Michael had previously asked for help. A spike in endorphins, serotonin and dopamine was recorded when Michael and his friend hugged after Michael told the friend about his depression, the friend comforting Michael.
Later in the afternoon, he and the departmental managers met in the boardroom for Michael's therapy appointment. Jim kept an eye on the chemical charts as the appointment proceeded. Michael cried, a spike in endorphins and oxytocin. A successful session, all agreed, before returning to their offices.
Michael ended the day with a comforting film and a healthy dinner, vitamins B6 and B12 synthesising neurotransmitters, and C and E tackling oxidative stress. Jim was satisfied with Michael’s chemical levels, as close to green as they had been in a long time. Cory came back for the night shift.
“Not his best day, but he’s having more good days now,” Jim said, relieved.
“Yeah,” Cory agreed. “Do you think other chemical departments work as hard as us?”
“Depends on who it is,” Jim shrugged. “Let’s focus on our job. But one day at a time, hey? We’ve still got a long journey to go.”