Myths And Misconceptions About Magic Mushrooms And Psilocybin

Nothing sparks the image of psychedelia more than the toadstool Amanita muscaria, or the 'Siberian Magic Mushroom'. With its flame red cap and powdery white spots it gives off a very psychadelic vibe. Most all baby boomers who grew up during the 60's remember images of this mushroom and it's association with tripping and LSD.

Mushrooms are mostly misunderstood by the mainstream public. Many believe any mushroom found in the wild is poisonous and only domestically grown mushrooms are non-threatening and edible. When it comes to psychoactive mushrooms they simply avoid them. The Amanitas are actually a small subset of the magic mushroom when compared to the broader range of psilocybe genus.

When most people think of 'shrooms' they think of effects like:

Euphoria
Hilarity
Iconic Scenes
Vivid, Colorful Geometric Patterns
Closed-Eye Visuals
Increased Emotional Awareness
A Deeper Appreciation for Life
Mesmerized by Black Light Posters
Intense Revelations

and more. The positive effects that some people experience while under the influence of indole alkaloid psilocybin can last for a long time after the trip is over.

So one of the myths is that the use of magic mushrooms is all negative and there are no positive benefits to be had. Very wrong. There have been some clinical studies that show there are possible therapeutic benefits to psilocybin for preventing or mitigating cluster headache symptoms.

People who have limited to no contact with what is known as the 'psychadelic community' usually view the people who partake of psychadelic mushrooms as being nothing more than just 'stoners'. Wrong again. Hollywood has helped with blowing the reputation of the psychadelic mushroom out of proportion and it is mostly only those who have actually done them who know the truth.

There are various reasons why people use psilocybin mushrooms. For some it is purely recreational, for others it is medical, and for others still it is for inducing mystical experiences.

For those who have yet to ingest their first psilocybin mushroom, imagining how the effects will be is next to impossible. It is hard to them to imagine blues, yellow, reds, and greens becoming much more intense than they already know them. Seeing walls seemingly melt and trash cans turn to liquid, is just beyond their scope of comprehension.

Aside from visual hallucinations there can be feelings of uncontrollable laughter, invincibility, boundless energy, and very profound wisdom. It's safe to say that as the baby boomers begin to pass on, so does the understanding of magic mushrooms and their true effects on users, although there will always remain a remnant of truth-seekers who will dare to know.

Curtailing The Rise Of Meth Lab Accidents

According to a new study released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meth use is on the rise in the U.S., and it is getting inherently more dangerous.

In the CDC study, which covered five states (Louisiana, Oregon, Wisconsin, New York and Utah), 162 people were injured in meth accidents between 2001 and 2012.  The injuries sustained included chemical burns and respiratory ailments and some even resulted in death.

When states passed legislation in 2005 to restrict access to certain over-the-counter ingredients used by meth labs, there was a drop in the number of injuries for a short time. These restricted ingredients included ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (which are normally found in cold and cough medicines). However, meth producers began circumventing these laws by using false names and buying small amounts of these medicines from multiple locations.

Around 2008, the "shake-and-bake" method of producing meth became more popular, which involves shaking small amounts of the precursor chemicals in a two-liter plastic bottle (which would frequently burst). These bursts resulted in chemical burns and contamination to the environment.

From the five states that were involved in the CDC study, more than 1,300 meth lab-related incidents were documented. Most of the 162 injuries that occurred were so serious that some individuals required hospitalization. According to the CDC report, the scale of injuries has worsened over time. During the period 2001-2004, 75 percent of these meth lab injuries required hospital care, a figure which had risen to 90 percent by 2008-2012. Of the types of injuries reported, the majority were burns at 43 percent followed by respiratory problems at 37 percent.

The report also noted that even when a meth lab has been closed down, dangers may still exist, due to people coming into contact with remaining hazardous materials, especially employees such as cleaning contractors or housekeepers.

In order to curtail these dangerous incidents, the CDC report recommended tougher law enforcement by states as well as greater efforts and resources being directed towards properly training and protecting those law enforcement officials and firefighters who must deal directly with these meth labs.

What Is Antabuse For Alcohol Addiction Treatment?

Alcohol addiction can be difficult to treat if the patient has been dependent on the substance for a long time. Different modalities may be used to help in the rehabilitation process including behavior therapy. Overt sensitization, for instance, pushes people to behave a certain way by inducing strong physical reactions. Antabuse is often used for treatment as it blocks the proper metabolism of alcohol. Those who take it will feel sick if they resume drinking and are unlikely to touch a bottle again. It can be extremely effective but also dangerous if used incorrectly. Proper precautions must be observed.

The Effects of Antabuse and Alcohol Intake

This drug and alcohol should never mix. Patients who stray from doctor's orders will find themselves experiencing symptoms such as flushing, sweating, swelling, uncontrollable thirst, severe vomiting, blurred vision, headache, and neck pain. Even mild physical activity could lead to a sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. The heart rate could rise to an uncomfortable level. Some people report weakness and confusion, as if their world was spinning and they feel unsteady. They need to sit or lie down as they might pass out. These unpleasant reactions are often enough to make people withdraw from alcohol for good.

The Dangers of Antabuse

This drug must only be taken upon the advice of a doctor. The person taking it must be informed about its use and possible effects. Even a small amount of alcohol can trigger the symptoms described above. Those who are unaware of the consequences may consume large quantities in ignorance with disastrous results. Individuals may feel an acute pain in the chest that may radiate outwards as far as the shoulders and jaw. The heart rate may slow down after the initial high resulting in a weak pulse. Cases of actual fainting and seizure have been reported. Excessive drinking while on Antabuse treatment may be fatal.

Stick to the recommended dosage and refrain from drinking to avoid problems. Call a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms stated while on alcohol addiction treatment.

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Fantasy Football Can Lead To A Gambling Addiction

In the United States, fantasy football's popularity increases with each passing day. Major websites like FanDuel and ESPN offer daily or season-long fantasy leagues. Plenty of these options offer cash payouts for top-performing entrants. Unfortunately, fantasy football comes with a dark side that's also growing. Millions of players play fantasy, and addiction plagues an alarming number of these individuals today.

Gambling In A Completely Legal Form

According to the United States government, fantasy football is legal because it's a game of skill. It's essentially a legal form of gambling unlike slot machines and casino games. Skill is indeed required to succeed here. However, the opportunity of winning large payouts is too enticing for many to ignore. A fantasy site that lists multiple competitions per day based on at least two real-life games is following the law.

Fantasy Football: A Game That Makes Addiction Easy

Fantasy participants either draft a season-long team or draft new teams each day. For most sites, users can create and concurrently run multiple teams. A lot of number-crunching and analysis is required to win matchups or leagues. Such factors give players an adrenaline rush of sorts when they win money. Then again, even losing can drive players to keep trying. Countless individuals consider themselves obsessed.

Where Fantasy Football Addiction Arises

Individual players feel a rush from winning. They feel a rush from crunching the numbers and outsmarting other players. In fantasy football, the entire system is designed to keep players hooked. Data-crunching and player analysis doesn't stop when the season ends. There's always an opportunity to engage in fantasy football around the clock and throughout the year. As fantasy participation leans toward obsession, problems start to arise.

Staving off fantasy football addiction isn't so simple and straightforward. Opportunities to become addicted come about before, during, and after a given match. Plus, addiction comes in many forms here. One player gets addicted to winning matches or winning money, and another player becomes obsessed with creating lineups. Fantasy football addiction is currently a growing problem, and it's only going to get worse.

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Benzodiazepines - Uses And Threats

 

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder wherein a patient suffers from elevated periods of depression and periods of mood. A person suffering from this disorder would be abnormally happy and energetic at sometimes while depressed and avoiding eye contact at the others. Benzodiazepines are used to provide relief to the patients suffering from bipolar disorders. This class of drug helps curb anxiety and insomnia.

Use of Benzodiazepines

This drug is used as a sleep aid for the patient. However, the use of this drug is always made under a fixed schedule and limited quantity so as to avoid any addiction of it.

How it works?

It acts by slowing the nervous system down. It helps ease the feelings of nervousness and anxiousness. When consumed, this drug slows down the nervous system and it acts quickly, providing immediate relief. The neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutryic acid in the brain is affected by this drug and is released more due to the activity of this drug.

Who can use it?

It is used in limited doses as any overdose may prove fatal. Moreover, pregnant women should avoid its use because it may cause birth defects in the offspring.

Side effects of Benzodiazepines

It is given in a limited dose to avoid addiction as regular and prolonged use can cause amnesia and sleepiness. Over dosage can cause adverse effect on the nervous system. Alcohol and other substance that inhibit the nervous system should not be consumed by the patient while undergoing this therapy.

This drug is administered to give relief to the patient in extreme conditions of mood swings. With the aid of this drug, the patient is able to calm down and behave properly. Moreover, the patient should also be treated by a psychiatrist so as to improve his condition.

Its available types

• Ativan (lorazepam)
• Valium (diazepam)
• Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
• Xanax (alprazolam)

Drugs like these are to be used cautiously and sparingly under medical supervision. The patient should also be warned of the effects of its over dosage. However, it is a bitter truth that so many people lose their lives because of excessive dose of this drug.

What Is The Addiction Ripple Effect?

Addiction can be viewed as a disease attributable to loneliness. Its effects tend to spread outwards from the addict who's most isolated to their immediate family, community and the population at large. The addiction ripple effect follows this pattern in producing foul consequences among the people in its path.

The Ripple Effect of Addiction

Addiction is expensive when its effect is calculated in terms of health costs, lost productivity and crime. The economic cost also doesn't account for the emotional toll the addict's behavior takes on affected people who are in the immediate proximity. Such people, in turn, affect their colleagues due to the behavior generated from to the stress of interaction with addiction.

People actively engaged in drug or alcohol addiction will engage in trends that negatively impact their relationships and marriages, education, employment and finances. Their legal status, personality and health are also dented. Dishonesty, violence, secrecy and misuse of resources are all standard behavior for addicts and directly impact the involved parties.

People who are most affected by the addict's behavior (usually spouses, parents and children) experience this ripple effect in emotional, physical and financial repercussions. This in turn dents their ability to work efficiently. Mixed signals from the addict cause their family members to be skeptical of their motives and reliability.

Long-term exposure to an addict impairs an individual in many ways. The anger, frustration and stress change their external relationships. Taking into account the number of people who are addicted to substances and alcohol, and the probability that every addict directly affects several people, one can say that about a third of the population is a victim of addiction. The vagaries of addiction thus find their way into communities and impact society in various levels.

Many addiction treatment facilities include family therapy in their core programs. To understand addiction, one needs insight into a group dynamic that may enable, foster or neglect addiction - at times simultaneously. Support groups can offer solace to people whose lives are affected by addiction.

Parties Suceptible to the Addiction Ripple Effect

Addicts' kids are the most affected and exhibit the most evident examples of the addiction ripple effect. Such children are usually at an increased risk of succumbing to addiction themselves. This can be attributed to addiction's genetic component. It's proven that predisposition to substances and dependency is inheritable. Additionally, prolonged exposure to an addict's behavior causes stress, dysfunction and other factors that could further put the children's future at risk.

What To Expect From Cocaine Withdrawal

Often flaunted as the caviar of street drugs, cocaine is a terribly addictive, high--priced drug that can destroy a user's life. Often sensationalized by celebrities and in movies, cocaine is, nonetheless, classified as a high abuse, high dependency drug by the federal government. It has extremely negative effects on the brain, heart, and emotional well-being of users. Unfortunately, this reality hits after the high. Cocaine users and addicts become psychologically and physically dependent upon the drug, which can lead to devastating and long--term  consequences, or terrible cocaine withdrawal symptoms.

Cocaine addicts often experience withdrawal symptoms when they decide to quit. However, they can also experience withdrawal symptoms after heavy use.  These symptoms can even cause addicts to lapse back into using the drug. The initial crash of withdrawal can last for hours or days, and vary in intensity and time. Some addicts go through post acute withdrawal syndrome, which can last for weeks or even months. However, in clinical settings, cocaine withdrawal should resolve within 24 hours.

Tips for Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

Every addict's experience of cocaine withdrawal is different; however, there are certain common symptoms. In a sense, using cocaine is like taking out a loan. People get an advance on some good feelings while they are getting high, but then they are burdened by the debt of those feelings during the withdrawal process. However, once they have paid off the debt, they can start to feel better again. This rebound effect is an important part of the body's means of maintaining homeostasis.

The most common cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Intense cravings
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Sleep problems
• Increased appetite
• Agitation or physical slowing
• Suicidal thoughts and depression
• Paranoia
• Cognitive impairment
• Abuse of medication such as painkillers
• Inability to find joy and pleasure
• Chills
• Tremors and shakiness

While highly unpleasant and difficult, withdrawal symptoms are rarely life threatening. Addicts who are going through cocaine withdrawal can better handle the process if they get help from friends and loved ones. In more serious cases, however, people who are trying to kick the habit can only get better after seeking professional help from therapists and rehabilitation clinics.

Regardless of the situation, it is a good idea to know what to expect from cocaine withdrawal. Follow us for more information and resources on drug abuse and treatment.