ViScience

How Ancient Civilizations Used Chemistry Before It Was Called Chemistry   “Modern chemistry didn’t begin in a lab. It began in a temple, a kitchen, and sometimes, a battlefield.” Long before periodic tables and test tubes, humans were experimenting with the materials of nature. What we now call chemistry  was once woven into everyday life — practiced by metalworkers, healers, priests, and perfumers. From dyes and medicine to metallurgy and glassmaking, early civilizations laid the foundation for today’s science without ever calling it that. Let’s journey back in time and explore how ancient cultures used chemistry — before they even had a word for it.   1.  Egypt: The Land of Alchemical Beginnings   Ancient Egypt is often considered the cradle of alchemy , the philosophical precursor to chemistry. Egyptians practiced: Embalming (Mummification):  They used resins, natron (sodium carbonate), and bitumen to preserve bodies Cosmetics & Perfumes:  Chemi...

How Animals Navigate: Magnetoreception and Beyond   Imagine being able to find your way home blindfolded — across continents, oceans, and vast landscapes — without a map, GPS, or even a compass. For many animals, this incredible feat is part of everyday life. From tiny migrating monarch butterflies to giant sea turtles crossing thousands of miles of open ocean, animals possess extraordinary navigation skills that continue to baffle and fascinate scientists. So how do they do it? Beyond the familiar senses like sight, smell, and hearing, many animals harness an invisible, mysterious sixth sense called magnetoreception   — the ability to detect Earth’s magnetic field. But that’s just the beginning. This blog dives into the hidden world of animal navigation, unveiling secrets of magnetoreception and the remarkable strategies animals use to find their way.           The Invisible Compass: What Is Magnetoreception?   Earth behaves like a giant magnet w...

Obsessive Chemistry: How Molecules Shape the Mind in OCD Imagine waking up every morning with the nagging feeling that the door isn’t locked—even after checking it five times. Your brain whispers doubt, and your hands obey again. You know it's irrational, but something within insists. This isn't just behavior. It's chemistry. What is OCD, Really? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is more than a need for cleanliness or symmetry. It’s a neuropsychiatric disorder  where obsessions  (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions  (repetitive actions) interfere with daily life. But what's driving this invisible puppeteer? The answer lies in molecules—specifically, neurotransmitters and brain circuits.   The Chemistry Behind OCD: A Miswired Brain Symphony Our brain is a vast electrical-chemical network. Information is passed not just by impulses, but by chemical messengers , or neurotransmitters . In OCD, the primary culprits are: 1. Serotonin (5-HT): The Mood Messenger Serotonin ...