Gas fumes = road rage?

  • Thread starter niky
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niky

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http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11/gasoline-fumes-road-rage/

She found the rats that had breathed gas fumes were more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior such as chattering their teeth, arching their backs and biting. Rats exposed to unleaded fuel were slightly more likely to show aggression than those exposed to leaded fuel.

“Rats exposed to unleaded gasoline showed indications of increased damage caused by free radicals and altered levels of neurotransmitters in the brain cortex region, in comparison with the control or leaded-gasoline groups,” she said. “Furthermore, inhalation of both fuels induced significant fluctuations in neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum.”
Click to expand...

Original study:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6793/9/21/abstract

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It all suddenly starts to make sense, actually... how so many people (myself included) can be one person in real life, and another person entirely behind the wheel...
 
I guess it's not that far out there. The fumes essentially give you a high(although not a major one) which can alter how your brain reacts when compared to when there are no fumes present.
 
EDIT: Sounds reasonable. But then, would a person only get road rage once a week when they fill up the tank? Some people I know are constant offenders.
 
If the car is running rich, actually... yes. That's what the HCO in emissions measures...

Most cars run rich at full throttle and some run rich at idle, too... especially if it's very hot or very cold outside. In traffic, those fumes are more concentrated, and you're more exposed to them.

EDIT EDIT: Damn, stop editing! :lol:
 
Yeah sorry, I didn't bother to read the article first. The very first line talks about filling up at a gas station, lol. And here I assumed it was squeaky clean modern exhausts we were talking about.

Either way, no matter what form gasoline is in, it's not something you should have for breakfast.
 
Mhmmm... gas fumes for breakfast... that's what i get every time I check under the hood... :lol:
 
Playing GT is safe though. And as far as we know until now there will be no gas fume simulation included in GT5, so all online behaviour should be peaceful and serene. :sly:
 
I think it's more about that you feel like you're safe in a car. It's similar to being on the internet. Normally nice people can be absolute morons, behind the wheel, and behind a computer screen.
 

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