Category Archives: addiction

Providing Understanding on Salvia divinorum and Kratom Mitragyna

Salvia divinorum and Kratom Mitragyna

Salvia divinorum is a plant from the mint family. It’s a species of sage and is grown in the Mazatec region of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Oaxaca, Mexico. It contains a substance called salvinorin-A, which is the most potent naturally occurring vision inducer. Salvia has large green leaves with white and purple flowers that typically grow in large clusters to more than 3 feet in height. The most effective component of this herb helps it in inducing hallucinations and today Salvia divinorum is the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogenic chemical. The use of Salvia divinorum began long ago among the people of Mexico. It was used for medicinal as well as spiritual purposes.

In Oaxaca, Mexico Salvia divinorum is a highly valued herb and they called it the “leaf of prophecy,” Diviner’s Sage, or Yerba de Maria because they believed it was the incarnation of the Virgin Mary. To them the Virgin Mary had reincarnated into Salvia divinorum and so you can picture how holy they treated this plant. The Mazatec people treat the plant with respect, praying to it before cutting it. American kids pretend it’s a party drug even though it doesn’t have the recreational effects of other drugs or alcohol. It’s best used for meditative states, spiritual purposes and exploring consciousness. Not for “partying.” It does not induce euphoria in those using it and so it is not suited as a party drug.

Salvia divinorum and Kratom Mitragyna

This herb can be used in various forms; it can be crushed and then the juice is then squeezed in a glass and mixed with water, it can be smoked and it can also be vaporized. The Mazatec people mostly chew and swallow fresh leaves re-hydrated dried leaves can be used as well. 26 leaves is a common dose, but the size of the leaves vary greatly. The effects come from the juice which is absorbed through mouth tissue, so it’s good to hold the leaves in your cheeks for as long as possible. This is to allow you to absorb more of the components of this herb. The Mazatec will sometimes crush the leaves on a stone into a pulp and squeeze the pulp to produce juice which is added to water, but this produces a weaker effect. It is also effective when vaporized, where the dosage should be 1 milligram or less. There are different ways of taking this herb and so every user can choose the method that works best for him.

Those who have taken Salvia can sometimes induce visions with spirals and recursions, loss of physical self, a feeling of being connected to the entire universe, a sense of understanding and peace, and severe distortions of time and space, sometimes traveling to other worlds or dimensions. It’s sometimes described as an entheogen, a word that comes from Greek, loosely translated as “making possible contact with the divine within.”

Salvia peaks in one to three minutes after smoking it and the effects when smoked last for five to 20 minutes. But taken orally, it’ll take 10 to 20 minutes to kick in and can last from 15 minutes to over 3 hours. So taking it orally is much better than smoking it. Most of those who try it for the first time roll it like cigarettes but this is not effective but instead leaves a person feeling dizzy. When taken for the first time it may impact differently. To some people it does not cause any effect in them but to some people it will cause intense effect that sometimes makes them stop after taking it once.

Some of the effects of Salvia

The most effective component in Salvia is salvinorin A, binds on the on the kappa opioid receptors in the brain, causing an altered perception of reality. The kappa opioid receptor is thought to have a role in pain control and certain psychiatric disorders. Hence it may possibly have an effect on pain. Some of the effects that come after using salvia include visual distortions, hallucinations, intense dissociation and disconnectedness from reality, physical or visual impairment, disorientation and dizziness. Synesthesia is possible, where physical sensations become intertwined and it is possible to “hear” colors or “smell” sounds!

Salvia is not regulated in most countries and so used without fear of intimidation from authorities but is a handful of states it has been outlawed. However there are discussions whether to regulate it or not.

Kratom Mitragyna

 Kratom MitragynaKratom refers to the plant Mitragyna speciosa Korth .Is a plant that is mainly grown in Thailand. The Mitragyna genus, part of the family Rubiaceae, is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia and Africa. This plant is used for medicinal purposes in Thailand but is also used for its fine timber products. When used for medicinal purposes, the dominant effects seem to be similar to opiate drugs, and include analgesia and cough suppression. These opiate-like effects appear to be mediated mostly by delta and mu opioid receptors. In lower dosages, mitragynine exhibits a yohimbine-like binding to alpha-adrenergic receptors, as well as some binding to the delta opioid receptors. As doses increase, binding to delta receptors increases, and in yet higher doses, crossover to mu receptors occurs.

Possible Side effects

Using this  mitragynine  may result in a reduction in smooth muscle tone, local anesthesia, and central nervous system depression. It also causes dry mouth, increased urination, loss of appetite, and constipation coupled with small, blackish stools. However it does not cause vomiting nor nausea as common with opiates. When used heavily it may cause prolonged sleep.
It also causes anorexia and weight loss, insomnia, and a darkening of the skin, particularly on the cheeks. It also reduces sexual desire when used for a long time and is addictive when used in high doses. Addicts show such withdrawal symptoms as hostility, aggression, wet nose, inability to work, flow of tears, muscle and bone aches, and jerky limb movement. With all these side effects it’s therefore safe to avoid using Kratom Mitragyna.

Finally, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor who has been in the frontline fighting drug addiction. He runs a website that equips readers of better ways to overcome not only drug addiction but also serious health problems that have caused nightmares to the world population. Get in touch with her today and learn more.

Salvia divinorum and Kratom Mitragyna

 

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25-Nbome Series Are Deadly Hallucinogens

25-Nbome Series Are Deadly Hallucinogens

N-Bombs are members of the NBOMe ‘family’ of drugs. These drugs are very powerful hallucinogens, similar to LSD. However the way a person feels may be different from what another feels after using LSD. LSD is said to be much safer than 25-NBOMe Series. These drugs when taken changes the way a person see objects and reality. A person will see things that are not even in existent. It is however very funny that these drugs are majorly abused by people simply because the make you hallucinate. When a person uses this drug he is taken on a trip. This trip involves moments when a person feels like he is supernatural, he sees things that are not normally seen, he feels like he has broken all the boundaries of his mind and begins to understand how certain things work the way they do. However the trip can be good or bad, bad trips may take too long and cause a person to behave abnormally which may force him to be taken to hospital. When in good trips a person sees things that make him feel on top of his world, he becomes very contemplative. The colors become strong and everything seems bright. A feeling of happiness and euphoria is common and a person may laugh a lot.

25-NBOMe

The alterations in the senses of a user differ greatly. At times the distortions may pleasant, but sometimes very frightening (these are called ‘bad trips’). It may also become hard for a person to tell whether something is in motion or not. Something may seem to be in high speed while in real sense they are not even moving. Color, sound and objects can get distorted and you can experience double vision. N-Bomb‘s are also related to the 2C ‘family’ of compounds.

In most countries the use of the N-Bombs is illegal and anybody who is found in possession of these drugs can be jailed for quite a long time. The drugs are classified as Class A drugs. This therefore means that their use is banned. The decision to ban the use of these drugs came up when it was known that unlike the LSD that was thought of as a friendly hallucinogen the N-Bombs had severe effects on the users and even caused death. This means that in many countries today, if the police arrest you in possession of N-Bombs, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution, arrest and prosecution.

Sold As Blotters and Tabs

N-Bombs were often sold as tiny squares of paper. These tiny squares are commonly called “tabs” or “blotters”. Blotters can come in various sizes, shapes, colors and designs. They were also sold in spray, powder and liquid form. It is possible that they will continue to be available in these forms now that they are illegal. The sellers of these drugs are often determined to find ways that they can use to peddle these drugs without being caught by the authorities. Do not be surprised when you hear that they are now sold branded as ‘phone screen cleaner’ or any other funny name. They are looking for better ways to beat the authorities and continue to reap large in this business.

25i_nbomeIt is reported that N-Bombs don’t work if swallowed, so they are usually placed under the tongue or held in the cheeks, where they are absorbed by the lining of the mouth. They can also be sniffed if in their powder form or absorbed via the nose or mouth if a spray form is used. The longer it is kept in the mouth the better for those using it.  Just like other hallucinogens there are a myriad ways through which it can be taken but there are cases that have been reported that snorting the drug is not so safe given that so many people who have been found killed by this drug had snorted it.

N-Bombs are very strong, with only a small amount needed to have an effect. The average dose of the N-Bomb 25I-NBOMe is between 0.00005 and 0.0001gram. Because of this it can be easy to overdose if you are using the powder or liquid forms of N-Bombs. The strength it has also makes it much cheaper as you will only need a smaller size of blotters compared to the size you would need to buy when using LSD.

When a person takes this drug the first feeling comes in at 15 minutes, with a sensation things have definitely changed. This vague feeling will lead to a heightening awareness and pupil dilation. Patterns are most visible. The stitching of your clothes, the veins on a leaf, the design of a ceiling tile. After 45 minute, it will have really set in. Edges will start gaining a fringe. At first it will be as if heat is distorting your vision, then the fringes gain color. There will be peaks and falls in between the first ten hours during a time that what you will see will be very difficult to tell to another person. The climax of these hallucinations will be marked by fractal patterns and pupil dilation. The use of these drugs has caused many deaths mostly because they are so strong that even a slight overdose leads to death. Needless to mention the doses are not easy to control.

Finally, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor who has been in the frontline fighting drug addiction. He runs a website that equips readers of better ways to overcome not only drug addiction but also serious health problems that have caused nightmares to the world population. Get in touch with her today and learn more.

25-Nbome Series Are Deadly Hallucinogens

 

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Nervous Tension and Stress Causes Cancer

Discover How Nervous Tension Causes Dancer at the Cellular-Level

Introduction

Nervous tension

Nervous tension

In this article, we shall learn how nervous tension and stress causes cancer at the cellular level. Quite specifically, we shall learn how prolonged stress levels are the root cause of a complex physiological process that ultimately leads to cancer. Of course this is a complicated process but before we get into the complex specifics, it is important that we summarize the process here so that you can visualize how exactly things unfold during this process.

Summary of How Nervous Tension Causes Cancer at the Cellular Level

Physiological and psychological stress triggers a process in which the cells of the body lose their normal levels of adrenaline. When this happens, there is a sharp and uncontrolled increase in the amount of sugar within the cells. The corresponding effect is that there is a decrease in the levels of oxygen within the cell. It is this condition that makes it quite easy for normal body cells to turn cancerous and set off the process of metastasis. This is so because cancer cells are anaerobic in nature and as a result; thrive quite comfortably in environments that are characterized by low levels of adrenaline and oxygen against high levels of sugar.

Of course there are many other complex steps that occur in – between this. Let us now look at exactly how this happens. We have divided it into steps so that the process is completely clear.

Step One: Initial Stress and Nervous Tension 

At this step, a completely normal person is subjected to emotional or psychological nervous tension for an extended period of time. Now, there are several things that happen to the body of a person who is subjected to such conditions. What is important to us though, is that when a person is subjected to such conditions, the production of the melatonin in the body subsides. Stress & nervous tension interferes with the special mechanisms that are responsible for production of melatonin. Yet melatonin is a highly important hormone in our body since it plays a key role in stimulating and sustaining the functioning of the immune system. Also, melatonin is responsible for preventing possible development of cancer cells in our bodies. Therefore, its inhibition by exposure to extended nervous tension predisposes the body to the process that definitely leads to development of cancer.

Another process that occurs in the body during this stage is increased production of cortisol. This is a special hormone that is automatically released by our bodies when we are exposed to intense stress and nervous tension. Although cortisol seeks to help us cope with the level of stress we are subjected to, its effect on the body is always undesirable. The hormone leads to depletion of adrenaline within the cells of the body.

Step two: Effect of Stress & Nervous Tension on the Immune System

At this stage, the effect of the stress and nervous tension on the immune system begins to be apparent. It was stated before that suppression of melatonin production leads to the immune system being compromised. Although this is true, it is not accurate. Low production of melatonin does not directly lead to a decline in the efficiency of the immune system. There are several steps involved in the process. What actually happens is that when melatonin levels in the body get depleted as a result of extended nervous tension, production of an important hormone called interleukin 2 is suppressed. Since this is the hormone that is directly responsible for strengthening the immune system, its depletion directly leads to suppression of the immune system. This is a necessary condition for the onset of cancer.

Depletion of adrenaline at the first stage also leads to a number of consequences that are experienced at this stage of the process. For instance, a low level of adrenaline in the body cells of a person directly leads to a decrease in the levels of two important hormones: dopamine and tryptophan. Since tryptophan and dopamine, just like interleukin 2, are important hormones for the normal functioning of the immune system, their depletion directly leads to the immune system being completely compromised; therefore creating the right environment for cancer to develop.

Step Three: Low Immune System to Cancer

At this stage there are three key processes that occur and lead to cancer. The first two are directly linked to the development of cancer in the body while the third one occurs through a series of interconnected steps.

In the first process the highly compromised immune system, as a result of the consequences of depletion of melatonin, directly predispose the cells of the body to development of cancer.

In the second process, the low levels of adrenaline that have been discussed in step two above lead to depletion of vitamin C in the body. When Vitamin C is depleted in the body, the body cells are in the risk of undergoing mutation at any time. Therefore, adrenaline depletion leads to depletion of vitamin C which leads to mutation of body cells thus causing cancer to develop.

In the third process, low levels of adrenaline causes the oxygen available in the cell to be broken down. This process triggers a complex reaction in the form of fermentation within the cells and an increase in the amount of lactic acid in the cells. It is this environment that leads to somatids giving rise to cancer causing microorganisms, resulting to the onset of cancer within the body.

Conclusion

Nervous tension

Nervous tension

We have discussed how exposure to intense stress and nervous tension sets the stage for the process of cancer development. It is important to note that with the right methods, this process can be arrested and cancer development nipped in the bud. This is the motivation that drives Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Having served fellowships in oncology and years of experience handling a diverse clientele, she understands the importance of health and fitness in helping you manage your stress levels. It is this approach that has helped many to reverse the process of cancer development. Feel free to contact us at any time and book an appointment with Dr. Dalal Akoury.

Discover How Stress & Nervous Tension Causes Cancer at the Cellular-Level

 

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Integrative Medicine

Difference between integrative medicine and functional medicine

Integrative medicine and functional medicine are two completely different approaches to medicine. Each one of them has specific characteristics and is built on its own principles that define how it works, what it seeks to achieve and how this is actually done. Therefore, by evaluating the special characteristics of each one of them, we shall have provided a clear understanding of how different the two are from each other.

Functional medicine

Basically, functional medicine can be seen as an approach to medicine which is focused on identifying the underlying causes of chronic diseases and working to prevent them from occurring in the body of patients. What this means is that unlike other approaches that are concerned with the signs and symptoms of a disease, functional medicine is concerned with tackling the root causes of a diseases and if, possible, preventing the causes from existing within the body of a patient. To this end, functional medicine seeks to ensure that the body is restored to and maintained at an optimum physiological functional level.

How functional medicine works

There are several important things that define how functional medicine works. First of all, the practice is based on the idea that understanding a patient is far much important than understanding only the disease. To this end, functional medicine is concerned with the needs of the patient in terms of overall vitality and how this is affected by the presence of disease.

Second, functional medicine is based on the idea that all of us are completely different from each other. This difference among us is not a mere conjecture but rather a complex creation of genetic and environmental factors that have led to every one of us having a completely different biochemical make up from each other. It is based on this differences that our physiological functioning differ from each other’s.

Third, functional medicine is based on the idea that our bodies operate in a special fashion characterized by complex interconnection among the body systems. All the systems of the body are seen as a maze of interconnected processes which are influenced by the state of each other at any given time. Therefore, a disorder in a particular system or part of the body will definitely affect many other systems and parts.

Fourth, as much as the internal body systems are connected to each other, the body as a whole has the ability to achieve a state of balance and maintain it over a long time. Balance in this case is understood in two aspects: internal balance between all the systems in the body and balance between the internal systems of the body as a single entity and a multitude of factors that form the external environment.

Integrative medicine

At the root of integrative medicine is the need for healing in body, spirit and mind. Since this is the foundation of integrative medicine, the approach can be seen as one that combines conventional therapies with complementary ones as a way of healing an individual in eth body, spirit and mind. This holistic approach to health is a very important characteristic of integrative medicine and differentiates it from functional medicine and other approaches as well.

There are fundamental differences between integrative and functional medicine. Since we have looked at the important principles that define how functional medicine works, we now turn to those of integrative medicine. It is by comparing them that clear differences between the two approaches to medicine become clear.

Important principles of integrative medicine

Just like functional medicine, the practice of integrative medicine is based on particular principles. These are described as follows. The first one regards the range of therapies that are used to treat patients. Basically, integrative medicine is based on the idea that conventional therapies like drugs, surgery and other special procedures used in cases of different diseases work hand in hand with other therapies such as nutrition, physical exercise and even traditional healing methods like acupuncture and specific herbs. The two, conventional and complementary therapies, are seen as being not antagonistic to each other but rather complementary.

The second principle that defines the approach and practice of integrated medicine regards the relationship between the patient and the specialist. The basic idea that defines this relationship is that the two work hand in hand in the process of providing healing to the patient. Although this approach is similar to what is used in functional medicine, its application in integrative medicine is much more emphasized and pronounced than it is in the former case.

The third principle is that healing is not only absence of disease but rather overall wellbeing of the body, sprit and mind. You can note the slight difference between this and what is used in functional medicine. Whereas functional medicine lays much emphasis on healing all the internal systems first before attaining to gain a balance between the body as a whole and the factors in the environment surrounding it, integrative medicine is primarily concerned with ensuring that the body, mind and spirit of a patient are at peace. This is where all the focus is.

The fourth principle that defines how integrative medicine is practiced regards the use of scientific evidence. Since integrative medicine advocates the use of multiple therapies to cure a patient, there is always the need for concrete scientific evidence that the different therapies used are actually effective. Although scientific evidence is required in functional medicine as well, the manner, type and level of emphasis that is attached to it in the practice of integrative medicine is clearly different.

IntegrativeAWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has been on the forefront in promoting the practice of both forms of medicine: functional and integrative. Dr. Dalal Akoury is a certified practitioner of functional medicine with a lot of years of experience in the practice. She has worked with many patients having chronic illnesses often to satisfying results. You are free to contact us and experience not only our unparalleled expertise but also outstanding service in the form of unique and personalized care.

 

 

 

Difference between integrative medicine and functional medicine

 

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Synthetic cannabinoid Receptor Agonists

Synthetic cannabinoid Receptor Agonists

Synthetic cannabinoid Receptor Agonists are also known as spice. These are a collection of herbs or plant material which has been sprayed with synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, often referred to as synthetic cannabinoids, producing a cannabis-like effect when smoked. Today there are more than one type of cannabinoids that have been identified but they are all active as they mimic the psychoactive effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active principle in cannabis. Most compounds come from the JWH chemical family, such as JWH-018.

For emphasis it is good to repeat that these synthetic cannabinoids are functionally similar to tetrahydrocannabinol often shortened as THC. THC is the most active principle of cannabis. Like THC, they bind to the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other organs as the endogenous ligand anandamide. More correctly designated as cannabinoid receptor agonists, they were initially developed over the past forty years as therapeutic agents, often for the treatment of pain. However, it proved difficult to separate the desired properties from unwanted psychoactive effects.

Synthetic cannabinoid

In the past years especially in the late 2008, several cannabinoids were detected in herbal smoking mixtures and incense as well as room odorisers. Typical of these were Spice Gold, Spice Silver and Yucatan Fire, but many other products later appeared. They do not contain tobacco or cannabis but when smoked, produce effects similar to those of cannabis. These products are typically sold via the Internet and in ‘head shops’. The spices are therefore as dangerous as cannabis and so should be avoided.

The fact that these spices are referred to as synthetic cannabinoids does not mean that they are similar to the real cannabinoids in all aspects in fact most of these synthetic cannabinoids are not related to the real cannabinoids in structure and hence though they can mimic the activities of the cannabinoids but they may work in a way that will cause more harm. The cannabinoid receptor agonists form a diverse group, but most are lipid soluble and non-polar, and consist of 22 to 26 carbon atoms. This therefore means that they would therefore volatilize readily when smoked. A common structural feature is a side-chain, where optimal activity requires more than four and up to nine saturated carbon atoms. The synthetic cannabinoids can be classified into seven major structural groups. These groups are;

  • Naphthoylindoles (e.g. JWH-018, JWH-073 and JWH-398).
  • Phenylacetylindoles (i.e. benzoylindoles, e.g. JWH-250).
  • Cyclohexylphenols (e.g. CP 47,497 and homologues of CP 47,497).
  • Classical cannabinoids (e.g. HU-210).

Other cannabinoid receptor agonists include substances such as oleamide. Oleamide is an endogenous substance that is also used in plastics manufacture. Another one is methanandamide. Oleamide and methanandamide are both related to anandamide in structure. Despite the similarities in structure with the anandamide the activities of these two synthetic cannabinoids have been questioned. It is thought that neither methanandamide nor other arachidonyl derivatives related to anandamide would be sufficiently volatile to be smoked. Certain fluorosulfonates exhibit agonist activity at cannabinoid receptors, as does naphthalen-1-yl-(4-pentyloxynaphthalen-1-yl)methanone, but the latter appears not to be psychoactive, at least when administered orally.

Physical state

SyntheticCannabinoidsMost of these synthetic cannabinoids are either solids or oils as they exist in pure state. Smoking mixtures are usually sold in metal-foil sachets, typically containing 3 g of dried vegetable matter to which one or more of the cannabinoids have been added. Typically, a solution of the cannabinoids has been sprayed onto the herbal mixture to give it the drug effect. Just like any other business oriented producer you will find a number of plants listed on the packaging but the plants mentioned on the packaging may not even be present. This is utmost dangerous as you may be using these spices thinking you are safe based on the ingredients wrote on the packaging while in real sense you are using substances you do not even know. These spices are often sold while containing high amounts of Vitamin E which is purported to be used in masking the analysis of the most active cannabinoids. The producers of these spices will put more cannabinoids in the samples to confound the forensic chemical detection.

The cannabinoid receptor agonists mimic the effects of THC and anandamide by interacting with the CB1 receptor in the brain. Several research studies have shown that some synthetic compounds bind more strongly to this receptor than THC as measured by the affinity constant Ki. All of the cannabinoids found in smoking mixtures have, like THC (Ki = 10.2nM), high affinity to the CB1receptor although small variations in Ki values occur between different publications. The substance HU-210 has a particularly low value of Ki (0.06nM), and it binds over 100 times more tightly to the CB1 receptor than THC.

However, little is known about the detailed pharmacology and toxicology of the synthetic cannabinoids and few formal human studies have been published. It is possible that, apart from high potency, some cannabinoids could have particularly long half-lives potentially leading to a prolonged psychoactive effect. In addition, there could be considerable inter-and intra-batch variability in smoking mixtures, both in terms of substances present and their quantity. Thus, there is a higher potential for overdose than with cannabis.

Finally, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor who has been in the frontline fighting drug addiction. He runs a website that equips readers of better ways to overcome not only drug addiction but also serious health problems that have caused nightmares to the world population. Get in touch with her today and learn more.

Synthetic cannabinoid Receptor Agonists

 

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