{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/covid-19/2","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3118-markdown","title":"6 Hot New Health Trends to Watch","slug":"6-hot-new-health-trends-to-watch","content":"Every year brings new trends promising better looks, better health, and better ways of living – but it's not always easy to separate the safe, science-backed new strategies from those making dubious claims to fantastic results. Here's a look at 6 of 2020's hottest health and wellness trends – and whether their claims for improving the health of mind and body are valid, overblown, or downright dangerous.\n\n### 1. CBD\nCannabidiol, or CBD, is the darling of the health and wellness industry these days.  CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that occurs abundantly in the cannabis Sativa plant and its close relative, hemp. \n\nResearch on the therapeutic applications of cannabis, or \"medical marijuana,\" reveals that [CBD has an array of positive effects](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221) on the body's endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is an extensive network of cell receptors found in the brain, tissues, and most organs. This system responds both to cannabinoid chemicals produced naturally and those from outside sources like cannabis.\n\nMany [independent studies](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820295/) have shown that CBD can bind with endocannabinoid receptors in many of the body's other subsystems to help regulate immune functioning, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.\n\nIn the brain, it can help to protect neural pathways, modulate pain signaling and stabilize mood.  Because CBD products don't contain psychoactive compounds that make people \"high,\" they can be sold just about anywhere, in forms such as tinctures, edibles, and topicals – salves, lotions and creams. \n\nThe effectiveness of CBD depends mostly on a product's CBD content and consumption. Still, both anecdotal reports and recent research suggest that it can be a safe and effective alternative to some over the counter and prescription medications.\n\n### 2. Mushroom Stacking\n\n\"Magic mushrooms\", or psilocybin, have been on the US's counterculture scene since the 60's and used in ceremonies and religious rites of passage for thousands of years. Clinical trials and [new research](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/johns-hopkins-scientists-give-psychedelics-the-serious-treatment) are showing that psilocybin has the potential to reduce trauma and anxiety. \n\nOther research suggests that microdosing, or taking minimal doses of psychoactive mushrooms or other psychedelic substances, can help boost memory, cognition, and mood.  Some studies suggest that microdosing psychoactive substances can help with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and clinical depression.\n\nNow, the practice of \"mushroom stacking\" is taking the potential of microdosing to another level.  Mushrooms taken in this way are what's known as a [Nootropic](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nootropics). Simply put, nootropics are one or more substances that have the potential to enhance consciousness and cognition. Nootropic stacking is the term for combining, or stacking, multiple chemicals to boost the effects.  Developed by mycologist Paul Stamets, [mushroom stacking](https://www.nootropedia.com/paul-stamets-epigenetic-neurogenesis-stack/)\ncombines low doses of the psychedelic mushroom, psilocybin, with lions mane mushroom and niacin, also known as Vitamin B3. Although, mushroom stacking can also be done without the psychedelic mushroom.\n\nStamets, claims that this combination [has the potential](https://thethirdwave.co/microdosing-psilocybin-mushrooms-stamets-stack/) to unlock new areas of human cognition. It could be a jump start to understanding plant medicine's effect on the human brain, but we still have much to learn. \n\nStudies have shown, though, that microdosing psilocybin can affect neurological pathways related to the fear response. Lion's mane mushroom appears to protect cognitive functioning and enhance memory.  Niacin [may also boost brain and heart health](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom).  \n\nTaken together, this \"stack\" of brain-enhancing chemicals may protect neural pathways and boost memory. Remember, psilocybin is a Schedule 1, psychogenic substance. Currently, there's no peer-reviewed research supporting Stamet's \"mushroom stacking\" formula, although it seems promising.\n\n### 3. Intermittent Fasting\n\nMost diets aim to promote weight loss by telling dieters what they should and shouldn't eat. But with [intermittent fasting](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/intermittent-fasting-surprising-update-2018062914156), the issue isn't what you eat, but when.  In this popular new diet trend, eating is limited to certain times of the day or week – and within those periods, you can eat whatever you want.  \n\nDieters can choose from [several different fasting schedules](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-guide). Popular protocols include 16:8 (16 hours fasting, 8 hours for eating every day), 5:2 (normally eat for 5 days a week and fast or eat very lightly for two non-consecutive days), or 24s – go an entire 24-hour period without food multiple times a week.\n\nThe proponents of intermittent fasting claim that this \"non-diet\" helps burn fat and promote cell regeneration. Intermittent fasting reflects early humans' eating patterns, who didn't have access to three meals a day.  Experts posit that intermittent fasting can boost the body's metabolic rate, increase insulin sensitivity, and boost human growth hormone production, or HGH.  \n\nFasting isn't safe for people with diabetes or certain other conditions, or for pregnant women. Fasting can also interfere with hormones that regulate menstrual cycles. But [available research](https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20191226/intermittent-fasting-diet-could-boost-your-health#1) suggests that for most people, intermittent fasting is a safe and relatively effective way to lose weight. Then again, so are many other healthy diet plans.\n\n### 4. Fascia Blasting\n\nFascia, also called myofascial tissue, is a continuous layer of connective tissue that covers all the different elements that make up the human body – bones, organs, nerves, and muscles. Fascia encloses the organs and keeps them in place, covers and protects nerves, and gives structure to the body.  \n\nResearch indicates that healthy fascia is typically supple and flexible, but inflammation, trauma, autoimmune reactions, and other circumstances can cause it to become tight and painful. That contributes to conditions such as fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis, and myofascial pain syndrome.\n\nMany believe that [fascia problems](https://www.healthline.com/health/fascia-blasting#benefits) can lead to poor circulation, muscle pain and weakness, and cellulitis – the bumpy, \"cottage cheese\" look of fat cells under the skin.  Enter the fascia blaster, a long, pronged wand developed by [fitness guru Ashley Black](https://www.ashleyblackguru.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjww5r8BRB6EiwArcckC9u0tvGxYZCNtQTNM0bxNGnuR5rpHyQaeoVHlymG6zIEomlLXlVjdhoCdyAQAvD_BwE).  Massaging [targeted areas of the fascia](https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/08/health/fascia-blasting-explainer-exercise-jampolis/index.html)\n According to Black, the fascia blaster can promote firmer skin, reduce the appearance of cellulite, and promote better blood circulation.\n\nThe only research to date on the fascia blaster's safety and efficacy is a small study done by Ashley Black herself, but some users report better-looking skin and less muscle pain and tightness.  Others, though, say that using a fascia blaster causes bruising, skin discolorations, and pain, even worsening varicose and spider veins.\n\nA number of other fascia blasters are now available, modeled after Ashley Black's original. They come with varying claims for success, but all are tools for massage, and numerous studies have found that massage can help relieve pain and stiffness from a variety of causes.  \n\n### 5. Cold Water Bathing\n\nTaking a cold shower is often recommended as a way to cool passions and calm down – but now, [some research suggests](https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-shower-benefits) that cold water bathing and showering really might be good for health.\n\nA [recent study](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325725) found that people who take cold showers are 29 percent less likely to call in sick to school or work.  Other research suggests that bathing or showering in cold water (below 70 F) may boost metabolism, improve concentration, and elevate mood in people with depression.  \n\nColdwater has many effects on the body. The heart beats faster, breathing quickens, and blood pressure rises as the body works to maintain a stable temperature.  Cold baths or showers can help people feel more awake and alert, and some say bathing in cold water can improve overall functioning throughout the day.\n\nEven if you don't bathe or shower in cold water, cold water applications can be beneficial. Coldwater can act as a local anesthetic for quick pain relief because it constricts blood vessels and slows the brain's pain signals. Icing an injury can also reduce swelling and redness.\n\nCold baths and showers aren't for everyone, though.  Medical experts warn that people with compromised immune systems or heart conditions might be stressed as the body works to compensate for the drop in temperature. But overall, even a brief burst of cold water during an otherwise warm shower or bath might be a boost to your health.\n\n### 6. Marijuana Instead of Alcohol\n\nFor centuries, people have turned to alcoholic beverages to relax, enjoy time with friends, and drown their sorrows.  But drinking alcohol in all its forms can have a long list of adverse consequences for the body and brain.\n\n Alcohol acts on the brain's neural pathways to promote feelings of pleasure and calm – but it's also a toxin that can damage the liver and other organs, cause cognitive problems and create long-term addiction. \nBecause of the many negatives associated with alcohol, [many people](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/millennials-appear-to-like-cannabis-more-than-booze-2018-09-26) are turning instead to marijuana, which also [promotes relaxation](https://www.healtheuropa.eu/cannabis-combats-stress/93193/) with far fewer side effects.\n\nThe cannabinoids in cannabis, most notably THC and non-psychoactive CBD, can promote pleasant, calm feelings. Because cannabis doesn't depress the central nervous system, there's virtually no risk of overdose and side effects are generally temporary and minimal.  \n\nCannabis can be consumed in various ways, from smoking and vaping to nibbling an array of edibles, and for a growing number of people, it's a safer and gentler way to relax than alcohol.\n\n New trends and fads are constantly competing for the attention of health conscious consumers – and it's not always easy to determine which ones have lasting value.  Whether you're considering CBD, cold baths or another popular wellness alternative, follow the facts to make the choice that's right for you.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/79adcef257769f77968d7db88f9a3cec/ee604/ff4b7af361ebe10e0b467fb8bc301885.png","srcSet":"/static/79adcef257769f77968d7db88f9a3cec/69585/ff4b7af361ebe10e0b467fb8bc301885.png 200w,\n/static/79adcef257769f77968d7db88f9a3cec/497c6/ff4b7af361ebe10e0b467fb8bc301885.png 400w,\n/static/79adcef257769f77968d7db88f9a3cec/ee604/ff4b7af361ebe10e0b467fb8bc301885.png 800w","srcWebp":"/static/79adcef257769f77968d7db88f9a3cec/58556/ff4b7af361ebe10e0b467fb8bc301885.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/79adcef257769f77968d7db88f9a3cec/61e93/ff4b7af361ebe10e0b467fb8bc301885.webp 200w,\n/static/79adcef257769f77968d7db88f9a3cec/1f5c5/ff4b7af361ebe10e0b467fb8bc301885.webp 400w,\n/static/79adcef257769f77968d7db88f9a3cec/58556/ff4b7af361ebe10e0b467fb8bc301885.webp 800w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3120-markdown","title":"MDMA: Coming Soon to a Therapist's Office Near You","slug":"mdma-coming-soon-to-a-therapists-office-near-you","content":"### MDMA-Assisted Therapy for All\n\nPsychiatrists, psychologists and therapists are quietly assimilating MDMA in their own practices, albeit, for now, it's underground. Emily Nelson is a middle-aged woman from Georgia, who has felt the force of COVID rock the foundation of her existence. Emily lives alone, is caring for aging parents, and is fearful of infecting her parents. As a result, she is feeling isolated, depressed, and lacking her usual “spark of joy.”  \n\nAt a friend’s urging, Emily was connected to an underground therapist who uses MDMA as a tool to quickly create positive mental adjustments for her clients. Emily, who has never taken any recreational drugs before, underwent an MDMA-assisted session with her therapist 3 weeks ago. Since that time, she has since noticed a profound change in her feelings. \n\n“I wanted to try MDMA-assisted therapy because things are terrible right now. I live alone; my job is stressful; I have a parent who’s especially vulnerable to Covid; I’m isolated. I’m sick of all the stress and wanted to get some joy and balance back in my life,” Emily explains.\n\nTherapy consists of two to three MDMA-assisted sessions, with multiple non-drug sessions before and between treatments. Non-drug therapy helps patients integrate and work through what they’ve uncovered during MDMA sessions. \n\nEmily says her first MDMA session was joyful from beginning to end. At her therapist’s home office with two close friends present, she experienced warmth and comfort, mentally and physically, inside and out—\"times a thousand.” She felt safe and loved, her mind expanded, and she had great personal epiphanies. “The epiphanies reinforced the obvious, like ‘live in the moment,’” she laughs, “but with MDMA, you feel it.” In short, Emily felt her depression melt away, a feeling that has lasted.\n\n### Doctors on the Forefront of Psychedelic Therapy\n\nHe hates to say “I told you so,” but psychiatrist Ben Sessa has been telling people about the potential of psychedelics in psychiatry since 2004. In a podcast with [The Third Wave,](https://thethirdwave.co/mdma-healing-trauma-and-the-future-of-psychiatry-transcript/) Sessa recounts the uphill climb he and few others have made since 2004 when he published the first paper on the subject since the 60s. Now, instead of being called “crazy” by colleagues, Sessa is called all the time for his insight on psychedelic medicine. \n\nSessa was drawn to psychedelics because he wanted to find an “antibiotic” for psychiatric disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress. Although he acknowledges pharmaceuticals are useful in certain cases, he says having to take an antidepressant (e.g., Prozac) for one’s entire life is just “not good enough.”\nGovernment administrations worldwide are rushing to get MDMA, psilocybin, LSD and ketamine off the party drug circuit and into clinician’s offices. Many people do not know that the Food and Drug Administration approved the psychedelic Ketamine in the U.S., and since 2019 it has been available for treatment-resistant depression\n\n### MDMA On the Fast Track for FDA Approval\n\nMDMA or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine is used in assisted psychotherapy, and was designated as a Breakthrough Therapy by the FDA. It is currently heading into its final phase (Phase 3) of testing with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies or MAPS. They anticipate approval for PTSD treatment as soon as 2023.\n\nAn interim analysis of the first Phase 3 trial showed a greater than 90% probability for significant, positive results. Previous trials revealed an actual change in diagnosis; 83% of test participants no longer had PTSD and continued to improve over the following three-plus years. [MAPS](https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/mapscontent/research-archive/mdma/PTSDandMDMA.png) reports MDMA has proven safe, too, with only 1 negative response after testing on more than 780 humans. \n\nWith such positive results and potential for patients facing serious or life-threatening conditions, the FDA also granted the MDMA program Expanded Access status, which affords early access to people critically suffering from PTSD. \n\n### We’re Not Talking About Ecstasy and Molly\n\nWhen you buy Ecstasy or Molly on the street, it is cut with a variety of other ingredients. In fact, [a study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1343333/pdf/jaccidem00030-0032.pdf) of illicit ecstasy tablets seized in the UK showed a third of them had no MDMA at all. Only 28% had an active dose (80 mg), which means there’s a 72% chance that any given “high” from street ecstasy will come in part from a methamphetamine, PCP, bath salts, heroin, ephedrine, you name it. \n\nThe MDMA that will eventually be available for therapy will be just that, 99% pure active pharmaceutical-grade MDMA, [MAPS](https://maps.org/news/media/5984-motherboard-how-to-legally-buy-a-kilo-of-pure-mdma) says. Until then, drug checking kits are available from [Bunk Police](https://bunkpolice.com/product-category/spot-test-kits/) and others to test for MDMA and/or adulterant content. \n\n### What Separates MDMA from “Classic” Psychedelics\n\nFounder Rick Doblin, PhD., says MAPS researchers focused on MDMA first because it is the “most gentle” of psychedelic drugs. In an interview with [HelloMD](https://maps.org/news/media/7732-hellomd-maps-founder-rick-doblin-talks-psychedelics-mdma-the-fda), he described how it differs from LSD and Psilocybin, “The classic psychedelics act by dissolving our filtering systems… You don’t see things from your own individual perspective anymore.” Losing that sense of self can scare people. He says, instead, “MDMA strengthens your sense of who you are.”\n\nMDMA doesn’t affect the 5-HT2A receptors nearly as much as LSD and Psilocybin. The 5-HT2A receptors are in the brain’s logical the cerebral cortex, which maintains consciousness. Inhibiting these receptors causes hallucinations and psychospiritual experiences with “classic psychedelics.” \n\nMDMA is not a hallucinogenic but rather an entactogen, a drug that acts on emotions to create a positive mood. “Where the ego distortion psychedelic effects are less pronounced with MDMA, it’s more about the feelings,” Dr. Sessa explains.  \n\n### The Perfect Assistant for PTSD Therapy\n\nMDMA is also pharmacologically unique among psychedelics in its ability to inhibit the fear response in the amygdala, the primitive fight-or-flight part of the brain. This is key to PTSD treatment, Sessa says, as it’s the only way most deeply traumatized people can even open the door on events that caused their disorder. After a lifetime of avoiding traumatic memories, vets and abuse victims can go back to the event with MDMA assistance and begin the healing process.\n\nBy addressing the root cause of the stress, rather than just treating symptoms like depression, Sessa says PTSD can be cured. And MAPS research is proving it.\n\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.7857142857142858,"src":"/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/ee604/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.png","srcSet":"/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/69585/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.png 200w,\n/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/497c6/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.png 400w,\n/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/ee604/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.png 800w,\n/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/f3583/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/58556/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/61e93/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.webp 200w,\n/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/1f5c5/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.webp 400w,\n/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/58556/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.webp 800w,\n/static/6e0d0e3502743cf01d70503c2c914378/99238/378fe3869b4ef5759ac7e7b24c7bb4fb.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3114-markdown","title":"DIY Recipe: Our Stress Busting CBD-Infused Green Smoothie","slug":"diy-recipe-our-stress-busting-cbd-infused-green-smoothie","content":"Everyone has stress, but during COVID-19 and other times of instability, stress, and anxiety may become chronic. Experiencing chronic stress puts your body under unnecessary pressure, like being continuously under attack. Red alert: that's not good news for your health and wellbeing. In this all-natural DIY smoothie we combine ingredients, such as CBD and blueberries, which will help combat stress and leave a sweet taste in your mouth!\n\n### Fight or Flight \n\nYour body is purpose-built to react to threatening situations. For instance, a fast Mac truck comes toward you while walking in a crosswalk; your body will activate your adrenal glands. In turn, the [adrenal gland releases a surge of hormones](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037), including adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline will raise your heart rate and blood pressure while cortisol will lower nonessential thinking - so you're able to get out the situation fast. \n\nOur flight or flight is the ultimate stress-response system. But if we activate it too frequently, it stays in \"on\" mode more or less permanently. Chronic stress will overexpose your body to stress hormones and make you more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and decreased immunity.\n\n### Managing Your Stress\n\nEliminating stress is not always possible, but learning how to manage your stress may positively impact your life and overall health. Understanding what events stress you and how you react are the first steps to improvement. Taking care of yourself and [developing stress management strategies](https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-management) are also critical. Two well-known strategies for fighting stress are to exercise regularly and eating healthy, well-balanced meals.\n\nBelow is our recipe for a stress-busting hemp CBD-infused green smoothie. Not only is it delicious, but it's also a nutrient-dense and healthy meal replacement. Ingredients include antioxidant-rich superfoods chock full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and the superhero of anxiety relief: CBD.\n\nHere are more details on each ingredient and why they are powerful stress reducers:\n\n### Hemp-Derived CBD\n\nHemp-derived CBD is the one-two stress management punch in our healthy smoothie. CBD is known to address a host of common conditions such as: \n\n- Anxiety\n- Stress\n- Depression\n- Insomnia\n- Pain\n- Inflammation\n- Excema & skin issues\n\n### Cashews\n\nCashews are delicious on their own, but in a smoothie, they add creamy goodness. Packed with iron, B6, and magnesium, a handful of cashews a day boost our mood and quell anxiety. Cashews are also a fantastic source of the amino acid tryptophan. This wonder amino helps with our serotonin's uptake, which helps us to feel our best selves. It also happens to be a precursor to the hormone itself. \n\n### Avocado\n\nB vitamins help our bodies beat back nervous energy and even promote healthier brain cells. B vitamins are known to relieve stress, and avocados are full of them. Avocado is also full of healthy monounsaturated fat and potassium, and in a smoothie, an avocado is an excellent replacement for animal-based milk.  \n\n### Super Greens\n\nSpinach and kale are both rich in magnesium; which is vital for proper growth and maintenance of bones. But magnesium also allows our systems to function properly. [Psychology Today](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201801/magnesium-depression) says that magnesium is one of the most essential minerals for the body to function properly.\n\n### Blueberries\n\nBerries, in general, are great stress-busters, but blueberries in particular, hold the most antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to memory, sharpen cognition as well as to lower blood pressure. High in vitamin C, blueberries combat stress and lower cortisol levels.\n\n### Pineapple\n\nWith higher levels of Vitamin C, pineapple is another good addition to your smoothie. Other fruits such as kiwi, cantaloupe, or papaya are suitable substitutes for pineapple. They are all packed with immune-boosting properties and will also help to lower cortisol levels. We love pineapple because of the taste, and when mixed with spinach, your smoothie will become a vibrant green hue!\n\n### Lion's Mane Powder\n\nLion's mane mushrooms have been linked to new [growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines.](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2) Studies have found that lion's mane is also a potent anti-inflammatory. In addition, researchers believe it to reduce anxiety and depression by improved functioning of the hippocampus.\n\n### Maca Powder\n\n[A recent study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18784609) indicated that maca root might reduce anxiety and stress while at the same time increasing libido. People claim that maca also decreases the instances of erectile dysfunction when taken regularly and flavonoids may be why. [A 2015 study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24931003) also found that maca could reduce symptoms of depression in postmenopausal women.\n\n### Ingredients for Hemp CBD-Infused Green Smoothie\n\n- 1 full dropper of hemp-derived CBD\n\n- 1 handful of unsalted cashews\n\n- 1/2 an avocado\n\n- 1 handful of spinach or kale\n\n- 1 handful of blueberries\n\n- 2 large spears of pineapple\n\n- 1/2 tsp of Lion's Mane powder\n\n- 1/2 tsp Maca root powder\n\n- 1 small container of coconut vanilla yogurt\n\n- 1 handful of ice\n\n### How to Make It\n\nThis is pretty simple. Put all the ingredients in your blender or Nutri Bullet and mix it! If it is too thick, add a little water and mix again. Enjoy!\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/ee604/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.png","srcSet":"/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/69585/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.png 200w,\n/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/497c6/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.png 400w,\n/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/ee604/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.png 800w,\n/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/f3583/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/58556/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/61e93/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.webp 200w,\n/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/1f5c5/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.webp 400w,\n/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/58556/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.webp 800w,\n/static/26ad1eb8dac6e908e7a02e5851777f11/99238/21e5ccaa250d3fe13315450b8780a7b7.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3119-markdown","title":"7 Highly Effective Treatments for Seasonal Depression","slug":"7-highly-effective-treatments-for-seasonal-depression","content":"Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, affects around [14% of Americans](https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Blues-Fourth-Everything-Affective/dp/1609181859/ref=sr_1_5?crid=12OKKARZBBWQC&dchild=1&keywords=norman+e+rosenthal&qid=1602036977&sprefix=norman+e+rose%2Caps%2C626&sr=8-5) on any given year…but this isn’t any given year. Depressive disorder symptoms have tripled in the US since the onset of COVID-19, according to research from the [National Center for Health Statistics and Census Bureau,](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/mental-health.htm) and SAD is one form of depression.\n\n“For people who have mild depression in the winter months, it’s now magnified,” says Swati Cerise, a marriage & family therapist in Minneapolis, who has witnessed an uptick in signs of depression this fall. “Macro stressors are affecting how people feel on a personal level. On top of juggling work and life from home, parents have kids struggling with hybrid learning. There’s insecurity about how bad the virus can get, and it’s taking a toll on people’s mental health.”\n\nAdd to this the change in seasons—which brings lowered serotonin levels, changes to circadian rhythm, and increased melatonin production—and you have a recipe for SAD.\n\n### 1. SAD Symptoms\n\nSymptoms are very much like depression but occur during the fall and early winter. The most prevalent indications are hypersomnia or excessive sleeping, and chronic fatigue despite getting adequate or too much sleep.\n\nWeight gain occurs in 70% of people with SAD, according to [Health.com.](https://www.health.com/condition/depression/7-signs-of-seasonal-affective-disorder) SAD sufferers often self-medicate, in a way, with complex carbohydrates. They crave breads and pastas because carbs boost tryptophan production, releasing serotonin and elevating mood.\n\nOther symptoms are persistent sadness, hopelessness, disinterest in daily life, difficulty concentrating, feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks, lowered productivity, irritability, and socially isolating.\n\nIf you've felt any of these symptoms this fall and they're ongoing rather than sporadic, there are several ways to manage SAD at home. However, it is a serious disorder and should be discussed with a physician before self-treating. Self-monitoring is also critical in treating SAD, as some treatments can have serious consequences, including mania for people with bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorders.\n\n### 2. SAD Light Boxes\n\nArguably the best way to treat SAD is exposure to bright white light for 15-45 minutes a day. Light therapy effectively re-creates the mood-regulating benefits of daylight. Twila Germanson, Psychiatry MD, explains, \"Lightboxes decrease your production of melatonin, which we all start making more of when the days are getting shorter. Light therapy, when used in the morning, can reduce melatonin production during the day, so you don't start feeling like a bear ready for hibernation.\"\n\nGermanson recommends using a seasonal affective disorder light box with 10,000 lux output, sitting at a distance of two to three feet. (Lower-lux boxes require you sit within inches of the light.) All you need do is face the lightbox (without staring directly into it) and sit there. Sip your morning coffee or work at your computer and let light work its wonders.\n\nWhile UV-free and UV-filtered lightboxes are safe, natural/non-medicinal, and very effective for mild and serious seasonal depressive disorder, Germanson cautions such possible side effects as eyestrain, headache, and nausea, as well as mania in bipolar patients.\n\n### 3. Vitamin D-3\n\nAnother of the body's natural mood-regulators affected by diminished daylight is vitamin D. Produced through sun exposure to the skin, vitamin D is important to healthy brain function and linked to the chemical that keeps us happy, serotonin. Vitamin D deficiency is surprisingly common in people, especially during the winter months.\n\nDr. Germanson, who lives in the northern states, says, \"Many people find [a D-3 supplement] helps get them through the winter.\" She advises taking the active form of the vitamin, which is D-3, and no more than 2,000 IUs per day until you get your blood checked for vitamin D levels. \"Vitamin D-3 is a fat-soluble vitamin that can store up in your fat cells, so it is important not to take too much as it does not readily 'wash through' your system.\"\n\nGermanson advises taking gel caps over tabs or powder caps, as gels absorb better, and mentions that in addition to supporting mental health, [new evidence shows](https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.01.20087965v3.full.pdf+html) vitamin D may help support the immune system during COVID, too.\n\n### 4. CBD\n\nA growing [body of research](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6161644/) confirms the efficacy of cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) in supporting the production of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, especially serotonin.  CBD acts on the nervous system's own complex network of cannabinoid receptors and serotonin receptors and has no negative tolerance or withdrawal side effects. This cannabinoid has shown to have anti-stress and anti-anxiety effects.\n\n### 5. SSRIs\n\nAs SAD is a subset of depression, it is frequently treated in the pharmacological world with extended-release Wellbutrin (Bupropion) or another SSRI drug targeted at controlling serotonin re-uptake. Wellbutrin, or other popular anti-depressants, help to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. For many people, anti-depressants relieve the symptoms of depression, but people’s reactions may differ depending on the drug.\n\n### 6. Psilocybin\n\nPsilocybin, the active compound in \"magic mushrooms,\" can also be as effective as prescription medications, according to [early-stage clinical research.](https://www.imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre/research/)\n\nfrom London's Imperial College Center for Psychedelic Research. Brain imaging studies by Drs. Robin Carhart-Harris and David Nutt at the Center reveal remarkable similarities between how Psilocybin and SSRI pharmaceuticals work in the brain by controlling 5-HT2A serotonin receptors.\n\nPsilocybin can be taken in microdoses over the course of the winter if you don't want to experience the psychedelic effect, or in higher doses, which appear to have longer-term effects according to the Center.  Legal psilocybin administration in North America is only available through research and clinical trials at the moment, however this expected to change in the next 12-18 months.\n\n### 7. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy\n\nCBT is a common and effective treatment for depression. CBT-SAD is adapted from traditional cognitive behavioral therapy and also proven highly effective. It involves identifying negative thoughts felt during the fall and winter months and reprogramming them through a change in behaviors and thoughts.\n\nEngaging in practical and enjoyable activities during the winter months can disrupt the negative self-talk, spiraling thoughts, and anxiety associated with depression, and even get people out of doors to soak up some happiness-sustaining sunshine.\n\nCBT is often used in tandem with the therapies described above, and many people with severe cases of SAD find the more treatments, the merrier.\n\nIf you're experiencing the symptoms of depression for more than two weeks, it's time to reach out for a little professional help. If you are feeling suicidal, please call the [National Suicide Hotline](https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/). If your SAD started this fall or recurs this time every year, chances are your depression is seasonally related and may need treatment solely during the dark months.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.1560693641618498,"src":"/static/1ee73640e4a962c71a9d413221bbaf30/d3934/f4e7f92533f66c4d2ca9e877ba92174c.png","srcSet":"/static/1ee73640e4a962c71a9d413221bbaf30/69585/f4e7f92533f66c4d2ca9e877ba92174c.png 200w,\n/static/1ee73640e4a962c71a9d413221bbaf30/497c6/f4e7f92533f66c4d2ca9e877ba92174c.png 400w,\n/static/1ee73640e4a962c71a9d413221bbaf30/d3934/f4e7f92533f66c4d2ca9e877ba92174c.png 606w","srcWebp":"/static/1ee73640e4a962c71a9d413221bbaf30/8944e/f4e7f92533f66c4d2ca9e877ba92174c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1ee73640e4a962c71a9d413221bbaf30/61e93/f4e7f92533f66c4d2ca9e877ba92174c.webp 200w,\n/static/1ee73640e4a962c71a9d413221bbaf30/1f5c5/f4e7f92533f66c4d2ca9e877ba92174c.webp 400w,\n/static/1ee73640e4a962c71a9d413221bbaf30/8944e/f4e7f92533f66c4d2ca9e877ba92174c.webp 606w","sizes":"(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3111-markdown","title":"Ketamine: An Effective Treatment for Depression?","slug":"ketamine-an-effective-treatment-for-depression","content":"COVID-19, the global pandemic that keeps growing, is causing another pandemic: anxiety and severe depression. As the pandemic continues, and social isolation becomes more prevalent, more than one in three adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder. In comparison, from January to June 2019, more than [one in ten (11%) adults](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/ERmentalhealth-508.pdf) reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder.\n\nAs a result, the use of traditional antidepressants is on the rise. “In the survey, titled [“America’s State of Mind Report,”](https://www.express-scripts.com/corporate/americas-state-of-mind-report) researchers highlighted that from February 16 to March 15, prescriptions filled per week for antidepressant, antianxiety, and anti-insomnia medications increased by 21%. \n\nWe also know that cannabis can be useful for some people when treating anxiety and depression. Many people [use medical marijuana](https://hellomd.com/blogs/articles/how-cannabis-can-help-manage-anxiety-and-stress-during-covid-19-pandemic) to ease anxiety and stress; for some, it works better than medications like antidepressants. Yet, it's not always right for everyone. In fact, for some, cannabis can worsen anxiety or depression.\n\nThere are other options available. Currently, ketamine is becoming a well known alternative for treating major depressive disorders in clinical settings across the United States. \n\n### Everything You Want to Know About Ketamine\n\nIf you've ever had a general anesthetic, you may have heard of ketamine. The [commercial use of ketamine](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4258981/) began in the 1970s, and it's now commonly used for various clinical applications, including anesthesia, palliative care, and, most recently, for the treatment of depression. Ketamine is also well known for being a \"recreational\" drug and for its potential for abuse. \n\n### What Is Ketamine?\n\nKetamine's chemical makeup is similar to phencyclidine (PCP), nitrous oxide, and dextromethorphan (DXM). It has been used widely as an anesthetic for surgery in humans and animals. Ketamine provides complete sensory detachment and produces hallucinogenic-like effects. Street names for ketamine are VitaminK, Super K, K, Green and Donkey Dust.\n\n### What are the Effects of Ketamine?\n\nKetamine is a dissociative drug with sedating effects and may cause numbness, memory loss, and unconsciousness while maintaining respiratory reflexes and adequate blood pressure. \n\nKetamine has a psychedelic effect and may reduce overall body sensations. It produces an abrupt high that lasts for about one or two hours. [Instant effects of ketamine](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424847/table/appd.t6/) may include drowsiness, profuse sweating, an irregular heartbeat, confusion, nausea, numbness, and slurred speech. It may also create an overwhelming feeling of relaxation, and consumers may feel \"out of their bodies\" or a dream-like detachment. Ketamine can alter a person's sense of space and time and cause visual or auditory hallucinations. \n\nContinued ketamine use causes a slow heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, behavioral changes, and difficulty breathing. Heavy ketamine use results in urinary tract problems as it may thicken the bladder wall, causing pain during urination. Prolonged use may also cause agitation, panic attacks, reduction of both long and short term memory.\n\nToo much ketamine may cause immobility and a sense of going into \"k-hole,\" an intense feeling of separating from one's body. Withdrawal from prolonged ketamine abuse comes with numerous side effects such as depression, anxiety, lack of appetite, insomnia, and restlessness. It is possible to become addicted to ketamine, and with abuse, more may be needed to feel its effects.\n\nWhen used correctly, ketamine has numerous therapeutic benefits including the following:\n\n### Treatment of Depression & Anxiety\n\nThe FDA recently approved ketamine for \"off label\" consumption, and clinics across the United States are using it for the treatment of depression. Recent studies indicate that up to [70% of patients](https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/ketamine-depression/) treated with treatment-resistant depression improved when given an oral antidepressant with intranasal esketamine, a nasal spray derived from ketamine. \n\nIt's believed that ketamine works for depression and anxiety as it enhances the transmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and triggers the production of glutamate. This, in turn, prompts the brain to create new neural connections. As new bonds form, patients can approach life with more positive associations and behaviors. Ketamine works quickly in the treatment of depression and anxiety, whereas traditional antidepressants may take weeks to take effect, if at all. \n\nKetamine infusions for depression usually take effect within four to seventy-two hours, and patients may feel a lasting impact for 1-3 weeks. Anecdotal reports also indicate ketamine may be a potential treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other neuropsychiatric disorders.\n\n### Chronic Pain\n\nKetamine is frequently an effective [treatment for chronic pain](https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20180615/first-ketamine-guidelines-for-pain-released), neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia. Low dose ketamine infusions have had a beneficial effect on the central nervous system, effectively giving a reboot to neurotransmitters within the brain. Patients may fee immediate and sustained relief from pain through a series of low dose ketamine infusions.\n\nWhile surgical operations tend to be very painful, ketamine relieves pain significantly. When your nerves are sending those pain signals to the brain, ketamine cuts them off. You won't feel the excruciating pain after some surgical blades have cut through your body organs. Vietnam War soldiers used these psychedelics to relieve pain from injuries.\n\n### What are the Risks Associated With Ketamine?\n\nConsumption of ketamine within a clinical setting is considered relatively safe. Some patients may feel uncomfortable with the associated effects, such as feeling disassociated from the body or a sense of \"couch-lock.\"\n\nKetamine may cause an increase in blood pressure. People who have the following are not candidates for ketamine treatment:\n\n- glaucoma\n- brain lesions or tumors\n- brain swelling\n- \nThere are [several other conditions](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/302663.php#risks) where ketamine treatments should be used with caution.\n\n### Is Ketamine Legal?\n\nThe FDA has approved [nasal-spray esketamine](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ketamine-for-depression-approved-by-fda-today-2019-03-05/) for the treatment of depression. It is legal in specific states that have legalized its use. Each state has individual regulations on the administration of ketamine. Utah and Texas, for example, have legalized medicinal use of the drug, whereas other states such as California, Delaware, and Wyoming among others have placed ketamine as a schedule III\n\n### Ketamine Drug Interactions\n\n[Ketamine has seven significant drug interactions](https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ketamine.html) and two hundred and fifty-six moderate drug interactions. It is essential to check with a physician on how ketamine may interact with any medications currently in use.\n\n### Where Can I Legally Seek Ketamine Treatment?\n\nMore than 150 clinics in the U.S. offer various forms of ketamine treatment. With the legalization of ketamine spray and infusions, new clinics are continuing to open. While it might not be easy to find a ketamine cline, there are many established providers in legalized states. When looking for a [ketamine clinic](https://doubleblindmag.com/choosing-ketamine-clinics/), conduct due diligence, and check with your local healthcare provider.\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.492537313432836,"src":"/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/ee604/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.png","srcSet":"/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/69585/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.png 200w,\n/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/497c6/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.png 400w,\n/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/ee604/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.png 800w,\n/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/f3583/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/58556/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/61e93/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.webp 200w,\n/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/1f5c5/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.webp 400w,\n/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/58556/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.webp 800w,\n/static/b606463a8e903db7ad6a63f0a69f71fa/99238/8d0d368fd05ea530c81edae202b79c46.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3112-markdown","title":"Good News: 5 Positive Outcomes from COVID-19","slug":"good-news-5-positive-outcomes-from-covid-19","content":"The popular \"F*** 2020!\" memes on Facebook or Instagram seem to have hit a collective nerve, as every day, there seems to be a funnier version displayed. You can see why, with the global pandemic COVID-19 hitting us like a tsunami at the beginning of March, it's been a rough go of it for most of us, so the \"F*** 2020\" seems like a glove that fits. \n\nA close friend of mine says that this past March felt like it lasted one year, followed by April and May, which seemed to last about ten years each. The ongoing stress of not knowing what might happen with the virus, isolation from shelter-in-place, potential job loss, and economic uncertainty; the fallout of COVID has taken its toll on the global community. COVID has also caused the most massive adjustment in behaviors and attitudes since the last World War. It's been an utter shit-show of epic proportion, and our lives are still being shaped by it daily.\n\nThat's the bad news; the good news is that there have been many positive takeaways from living through the pandemic. Lately, I've been considering the positive outcomes that we may experience as a result of living through the COVID-19 pandemic and here are my top five:\n\n### 1. Strengthening Relationships\n\nDid any of us expect to be locked in our house 24/7 for months at a time? Whether you live with your immediate family, roommates, or alone, we all have become extra familiar with our SIP \"pod', or the quarantine tribe we choose. As life came to a screeching halt last spring, and our daily pace slowed, relationships with other people became a focus of attention worldwide. \n\nFor the first time in years, I stayed in the house with my kids day in and out. I not only want to kill them, but I've also fallen in love with them in new ways. My close hiking buddy became my 6 foot apart lifeline, and distant family members and old friends are welcomed into my living space via video chat. Reconnecting with people and maintaining or strengthening existing relationships has made me grateful for the love I share. This time has deepened my relationships and shown me who I treasure and why.\n\n### 2. Connection through Technology\n\nZooming is now officially a verb. You know something has shifted when your elderly relatives have downloaded Zoom on their mobile phone. Video chats and meetings will never replace face to face meetups, but Zooming (or Google Chat) has allowed us to stay connected in a time of deep distress.\n\nGoogle Classroom and other remote learning tools are now a must-know and must-use part of daily lives - for kids and adults alike. My worst nightmare is homeschooling my kids, but now that's it's come to pass, we at least have necessary tools to keep our children connected to classrooms, other students, and their teachers. This distance-learning forever changes how we learn, and our ability to access education globally, and even though I hate it, that's pretty darn cool.\n\nChanges in behavior also extend to how we see our doctors. Telemedicine is now considered the first step in seeing your doctor. Honestly, who wants to go to a doctor's waiting room right now? With new, more progressive [federal regulations on telemedicine](https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_rules_waived.html/), we now have models for more accessible healthcare. This includes getting a prescription from your G.P. or even getting your medical marijuana card online.\n\n### 3. Cannabis Becomes \"Essential\"\n\nFive years ago, medical marijuana advocates such as myself, were often laughed at or ridiculed in mainstream commentary. I'd often hear, \"Medical marijuana is a joke, people just say that it's medicine because they want an excuse to get high.\" It was frustrating, and it seemed like getting people to listen was like pushing a rock uphill.\n\nToday, medical marijuana is legal in 33 U.S. states (and the District of Columbia) and recreationally legal in 11 states. When the Coronavirus hit, cannabis shops shuttered their doors along with other businesses. However, that changed quickly in many states. As declared in a [N.Y. Times article,](https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-weed-marijuana.html)\n\n\"Over the past week, more than a dozen states have agreed that while \"nonessential\" stores had to close, pot shops and medical marijuana dispensaries could remain open — official recognition that for some Americans, cannabis is as necessary as milk and bread.\"\n\nAlthough there is a patchwork of regulations that change state by state, this is a triumph for people who consume cannabis as medicine. Medical marijuana treats anxiety, depression, insomnia, cancer, PTSD, and the list goes on. COVID-19 has highlighted not only the medicinal necessity of cannabis, and access to it, but also the need for federal recognition and reformation of existing laws and regulations. It appears that cannabis is here to stay and everyone seems to be getting on the train.\n\n### 4. A 70's Style Summer\n\nI was a 70's kid, and summer meant endless daydreaming, bike rides, and a lot of disorganized activity. Running out the back door in the morning and coming back at night was the norm, and loading up the station wagon for a road trip spelled v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n. COVID brought us to our knees, but it also brought back the 70's style, free-wheeling summer.\n\nTypically, my summer is organized around activities, whether that's back-to-back summer camps for the kids or a big European vacation. Neither of those can happen during COVID, and basic summertime activities seem to be a thing of the past. At the beginning of the summer, I was anxious about this unstructured approach. But as the days passed into months, I realized I had not had a summer this relaxing since about 1979. \n\nRather than driving the kids to an all-day summer camp, they wake up and go for a bike ride. Rather than hopping on a plane to take a highly structured family vacation, we've packed up the car to see family in the midwest - twice. We went swimming Tahoe and hiking in Yellowstone, we've had a blast. \n\n### 5. Freedom to Work Remotely\n\nIf you still have a job, thank your lucky stars. For most of us still working, we've been granted the freedom to work remotely. It's ironic, COVID has taken away so much personal freedom, yet changed the way we work, giving some people more freedom than ever. Working remotely means less time in the car, more time at home, and for some, increased their productivity. It has undoubtedly created a better work-life balance by giving more hours back to the day. \n\nWith no end in sight, people have the flexibility to move to different areas of the country, whether it be for a better quality of life or slightly cheaper living. Urban flight has become a real thing. Future positive benefits for families working from home is that both men and women may equally appreciate the difficulty of raising a family, homeschooling, all while working a full-time gig. Employers may be more understanding and generous in the future when it comes to paid leave or understanding childcare difficulties.\n\nThe Coronavirus has, in its worldwide wake, left a trail of distress and suffering. Unmistakably, it's been one of the more challenging experiences we've gone through together. That said, from our dark times, there's also been good news and wisdom gained from our new experiences. As former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt famously said, \"Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.\"","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/ee604/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.png","srcSet":"/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/69585/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.png 200w,\n/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/497c6/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.png 400w,\n/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/ee604/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.png 800w,\n/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/f3583/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/58556/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/61e93/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.webp 200w,\n/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/1f5c5/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.webp 400w,\n/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/58556/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.webp 800w,\n/static/1ed2071a99254848b0493bdf0a6b20b5/99238/aa42a5f816ac44197a31f19ba988ca9a.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3110-markdown","title":"Can Cannabis Fight Superbugs and Keep You Healthy?","slug":"can-cannabis-fight-superbugs-and-keep-you-healthy","content":"We're smack-bang in the middle of cold and cough season, and with news about a mysterious and [deadly new virus from China](https://www.businessinsider.com/new-china-virus-likely-infected-1723-not-45-scientists-2020-1) hitting the headlines, it's no wonder Americans are seeking alternative therapies for the flu.\n\nYou've heard about the [health benefits of cannabis](https://hellomd.com/blogs/articles/top-11-health-benefits-of-marijuana) a thousand times over — it can fight pain, reduce stress, and curb social anxiety. But can cannabinoids — the naturally-occurring chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant — actually fight superbugs and combat the flu? Let's jump into the science. \n\n**What Are Superbugs, Anyway?**\n\nFirst, let's examine superbugs themselves. What are they, and how did they come to be? Superbugs are bacteria that become [resistant to antibiotics prescribed by a doctor](https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=38448). \n\nAntibiotic resistance is far more common than you think, and, unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to stop it. This is because, in order to survive, bacteria adapt to the drugs designed to kill them, making antibiotics less effective (or completely ineffective!). \n\nSo, if antibiotics can't kill these bacteria, what can?\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_us/?utm_medium=copy_link)\n\n**The Case for Cannabis**\n\nJust earlier this year, scientists screened five different cannabis compounds for their antibiotic properties. Surprisingly, one of these compounds, cannabigerol (CBG), [killed MRSA](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jan/19/cannabis-compound-could-be-weapon-in-fight-against-superbugs), one of the most common superbugs found in hospitals.\n\n**Why is this so important?**\n\nEvery year, around 90,000 Americans catch an invasive MRSA infection. Research shows that nearly 20,000 people in the United States die from this infection — and many of these people are children.\n\nIn a separate study, scientists discovered that [CBG cured mice of MRSA infections](https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/833392v3). This result was similar to a drug called Vancomycin, often prescribed as a final measure against drug-resistant microbes. (The ACS Infectious Diseases journal is currently reviewing this study.) \n\nCould cannabis be the medical breakthrough scientists are looking for? And could it kill other superbugs, too?\n\n**Will Doctors Prescribe Cannabis for Superbugs?**\n\nIt's important to note that the compounds CBD and CBG could potentially fight superbugs, and not cannabis itself. CBD and CBG are non-intoxicating compounds from the cannabis plant that don't produce the same high as marijuana can.\n\nThe FDA has already approved CBD for treating some forms of seizure, and you can use CBG legally if it id derived from hemp. Scientists now believe these compounds could fight the superbugs that are common at this time of the year.  \n\nIn both of the above studies, researchers looked at how long it took cannabis compounds to kill bacteria — and it was fast. CBG, for example, [acted within around three hours](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20190624/cbd-as-a-superbug-antibiotic), three to five hours faster than the drug Vancomycin. Researchers also found that CBG disrupted the biofilm around bacteria — the layer that's hard for regular antibiotics to penetrate.\n\nThis isn't a recent discovery. Cannabis ingredients have shown promise in battling superbugs for more than ten years now, and scientists have known that cannabis contains antibacterial substances for even longer. However, with harder evidence, medical professionals are finally taking cannabis seriously when it comes to antibiotic resistance, and this could have a positive impact on many lives.\n\nWe've already talked about how cannabis could potentially [cure the common cold](https://hellomd.com/blogs/articles/can-cannabis-cure-the-common-cold), but this new research about superbugs is even more encouraging. While cannabis is not a silver bullet, cannabinoids could fight superbugs and keep you healthy in the future. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.4285714285714286,"src":"/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/14b42/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.jpg","srcSet":"/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/f836f/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.jpg 200w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/2244e/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.jpg 400w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/14b42/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.jpg 800w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/47498/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.jpg 1200w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/0e329/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.jpg 1600w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/2cc8b/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.jpg 1604w","srcWebp":"/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/58556/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/61e93/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.webp 200w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/1f5c5/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.webp 400w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/58556/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.webp 800w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/99238/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.webp 1200w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/7c22d/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.webp 1600w,\n/static/871c92309baddb68400de0b8926bfdfb/89299/03a66a8f62c6b74c1db790b084324c19.webp 1604w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":12,"numPages":2,"currentPage":2,"id":5945,"name":"COVID-19","slug":"covid-19","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}