I really like how the hemispheres of the brain are forced to be especially separated by the physical structure of the balloon dog. I wonder if there are any behavioral implications?

-via boingboing- and here's the original.

The artist says this:

Artist's Comments
After months of observations, dissections and a 25 minute intro to clown school, I have finally successfully mapped the inter workings of the domestic balloon dog.

NEWS! This piece will be featured in the next issue of "Hi Fructose" magazine.

The anti-drug people want you to think pot will make you go crazy, cause cancer, and do every other hard drug on the planet. The pot heads want you to think that its an all natural feel good drug that wouldn't hurt a fly and will single handedly ease suffering for every single chronic illness. This whole thing leaves us with a whole bunch of confusion?! Who do we believe, the short sighted religious right republicans? Or do we believe a bunch of stoned out hippie freaks?!

As usual the answer is a little of both in regards to mental health:

A new neurobiological study has found that a synthetic form of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, is an effective anti-depressant at low doses. However, at higher doses, the effect reverses itself and can actually worsen depression and other psychiatric conditions like psychosis.

So.. here's the take home message - if you're in an in-patient facility for some sort of psychotic break... don't take a lot of bong hits. However, if you're feeling a little down one day take a couple puffs and you'll feel great. Don't forget the Omni Brain disclaimer though:

The authors are not physicians, psychologists, therapists, sociologists or even remotely funny. The content on this website does not, and is not intended to constitute medical or life advice. It should not be relied upon when making medical (or any) decisions. It is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician, healthcare provider, any anti-psychiatry crank, PETA member, religious figure, AIDS denialist, Holcaust Denier, Scientologist or really any crank at all.

You can find the article in the next issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Omni Brain met its fundraising goal of $1000 for music education programs through DonorsChoose. Thank you to everyone who's donated. You rock! Now 30 kids will too.

But it'd be okay, you know, permissible (haha) to exceed our goal if you'd still like to help a Lisa Simpson. A few of the programs Omni Brain earmarked are still seeking fulfillment. Here, an Indianapolis music teacher describes his/her wish to teach kids science and music together:

I want to set up a program for fourth through sixth grade having students work on the scientific method of experimenting with sound. The resources I have requested will give students in all three grades the opportunity for this program. Also, this project would satisfy the Music Standard applying Music to other subjects.

A lot of times I apply Music to Math and Language Arts, but I have not had much opportunity to apply Music to Science because of supplies. You can help bridge that gap with supplying us with [several SciQuest Sound Demonstration kits] and a wave model.

More info at The Science of Sound in the Music Classroom. Alternatively, clicky here to donate. There's also a request for science videos that's close to my Channel N video heart, though I think the RIAA ought to fund this one in gratitude for the guy's honesty and restraint in not downloading the whole series off a torrent instead of paying $2300. PBS, meet the new world..

Thanks again. :-)

NOTE: the above image "Kill Bill Nye" is a joke based on a movie, please don't go killing Bill. We like him a lot.]