Each moment as you move through this world, you are planting seeds. Those seeds are your thoughts. Once planted, they take root and grow into a forest of reality which surrounds you. So how is your forest growing?
Is it filled with beautiful, productive flora, growing from a steady stream of positive thought seeds? Or is it filled with gnarled, thorny, tangled vines which hold you back in every direction?
The trees that grow depend upon the seeds that are planted. Though each thought is a small, seemingly insignificant thing, once it has passed through your mind it begins to grow into something real and substantial.
Each thought combines with the other thoughts that came before it, and the thoughts that come after it, to set the direction of your reality. Even the most secret, hidden thoughts eventually become obvious because of the direction they give to your life.
You can decide how to direct your mind, and by so doing you can profoundly affect the reality of your life. Plant row after row of positive, empowering thought seeds, and they'll grow into a rich and magnificent forest of value and accomplishment.
TheSour Sopor the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer10,000 times stronger than Chemo. Why are we not aware of this? It's because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale.
So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself as prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space, plant one in your garden. The other parts of the tree are also useful.
The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour-sop juice.
Ecstasy is one of the most dangerous drugs threatening young people today. Called MDMA (3-4-
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) by scientists, it is a synthetic chemical that can be derived from an essential oil of the sassafras tree. MDMA is also one of the easiest illegal drugs to obtain. Its effects are similar to those of amphetamines and hallucinogens. Distributed almost anywhere, it has become very popular at social events like raves, hip hop parties, concerts, etc. frequented by both adults and youth. While not all “event” attendees use Ecstasy, the drug often makes the circuit of these parties and can set up dangerous circumstances that can affect everyone there.
• Street Names: E, Adam, Roll, Bean, X and XTC,
• Clarity, Essence, Stacy, Lover’s Speed, Eve
• Form: Pills – usually white, yellow or brown
• Size, shape and design vary
• Pills are often branded with designer symbols
Legal or Not?
First developed as an appetite suppressant in 1914, MDMA was used as a psychotherapeutic tool and also started to become available on the street In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. It wasn’t until 1985 that Ecstasy was made illegal. It is classified as a “Schedule 1” controlled substance along with other narcotics like heroin, cocaine, and LSD. Penalties for possession, delivery, and manufacturing of the drug can include fines as high as $100,000 and up to 99 years or life in prison, depending on the amount seized.
Dangerous Impurities
One reason Ecstasy can be especially dangerous is the lack of content control. Ingredients are hard to get and manufacturers of the drug often use substitutes, mixing other harmful additives with the already dangerous mix. This practice is so common that “drug test kits” are often sold with the drug so users can test for purity. Because of the uncertainties about the drug sources, pharmacological agents, chemicals used to manufacture them, and possible contaminants, it is difficult to measure the toxicity, consequences and symptoms that might be expected.
How is it Used?
Ecstasy is usually taken in pill form and swallowed and it can also be injected Some users have been known to crush and snort the resulting powder. Others insert the pill into the anus where it is absorbed. This process is known as “shafting.”
How Does It Affect You?
Ecstasy is similar (in nature) to other amphetamines and hallucinogens. It speeds up the nervous system and acts as a mood enhancer. Also referred to as “the love drug”, Ecstasy often makes the user feel good, happy and relaxed – at least at first. Contrary to rumors, Ecstasy is not an aphrodisiac and can actually inhibit sexual performance. The taking of any drug affects people differently. Depending on size, weight, health, dosage and other drugs being used, the reaction can be mild or very severe. Anyone suffering from hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, mental illness or panic should avoid taking Ecstasy.
Common Side Effects
The following effects start within 20 minutes of taking E and can last for 4 – 6 hours or longer:
• Increased heart rate • Increased body temperature • Anxiety
• Feelings of well-being (happiness, love) • Sweating • Loss of appetite
Other Reported Effects:
Taking higher doses of MDMA will not increase the good feelings. In fact higher dosages can cause convulsions, irrational behavior, and hallucinations. Users have reported having problems with insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, concentration and depression after taking the drug.
Overdose
Taking too much Ecstasy can result in:
• Extremely high body temperatures • High blood pressure
• Hallucinations • Fast Heartbeat
• Breathings problems • Death
Death often results from harmful overheating (hyperthermia), or from drinking too much at one time (hyponatremia). Hyponatremia is a condition where excess fluid intake swells the brain resulting in coma. A third cause of death is stimulation. Over stimulation of the nervous system can result in heart attack or brain hemorrhage.
Warning Signs of Overdose
• Feeling hot or unwell • Becoming confused, not able to talk properly
• Headache • Vomiting
• Not Sweating • Racing heart or pulse when resting
• Fainting or collapsing • Loss of control over body movements
• Tremors • Problems Urinating
Duration of Effects:
An Ecstasy high can last from six to 24 hours but usually averages three to four hours. Some reactions have been reported to persist from one to 14 days after use.
Short Term Effects
Short-term effects include psychological difficulties (confusion, depression, sleep problems, craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia). These effects occur during use and can continue even weeks after use. Physical problems that can occur are muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, fever, chills or sweating.
Long Term Effects
Recent findings connect use of Ecstasy to memory loss. Use of Ecstasy depletes serotonin, a very important chemical in the brain which regulates mood, sleeping and eating habits, as well as, the thinking and behavior process, sexual function, and sensitivity to pain.
Herbal Ecstasy
Herbal Ecstasy is another form of MDMA that is composed of ephedrine (ma huang) or pseudoephedrine and caffeine from the kola nut. Also sold in tablet form, Herbal Ecstasy can cause permanent brain damage and death. Though not currently classified as a controlled substance, Herbal Ecstasy shares many of the same qualities and effects as MDMA. Also known as Cloud 9, Herbal Bliss, Ritual Spirit, Herbal X, GWM, Rave Energy, Ultimate Xphoria and X.
Drug Testing
Ecstasy can be detected up to four days in the urine.
Ecstasy and Anti-Depressants
People currently taking an MAOI should not use Ecstasy. MAOIs are most commonly found in
prescription anti-depressants Nardil (phenelzine), Parnete (tranylcypromine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Eldepryl (I-deprenyl), and Aurorex or Manerix (moclobermide). The same is true of the protease inhibitor Ritonavir.
Ecstasy and Pregnancy
In a study published in the May 1, 2001 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, results showed that
exposure (of rats) to Ecstasy caused memory and learning deficiencies to the unborn rat. As with all other drugs (legal or not), they should never be taken during pregnancy unless specifically prescribed by a medical professional.
The facts on smoking are disturbing and indicate that smoking has a devastating effect on the body. Despite scientific studies that show the traumatic effects smoking has on the mind and body, millions continue to smoke. This leaves many people asking, why people continue to smoke despite its known health risk?
Smoking is an addiction
The facts on smoking indicate that smoking is very much an addiction, similar to heroin and cocaine. The main ingredient in tobacco, nicotine, stimulates the portion of the brain that is connected with a pleasurable feeling. The neurotransmitter, dopamine, controls the desire to consume drugs. Nicotine has been shown to increase dopamine levels in the pleasurable portion of the brain. This feeling is quickly realized, within 10 seconds of the inhalation of nicotine and dissipates soon after the cessation of smoking. This causes cravings and the subsequent use of nicotine to calm the craving. This repetitive process; craving, satisfaction, craving; associated with symptoms of withdrawal is indicative of addiction.
Symptoms of withdrawal
Nicotine users can experience withdrawal symptoms within hours of their last cigarette. This negat ive experience causes many people to return to smoking soon after vowing to quit. These symptoms are rapid, and are relatively strong for the few days. They may last for weeks and some smokers who quit may experience these withdrawal symptoms for months. Those who decide to quit smoking may experience the following symptoms of withdrawal:
Cravings
The desire to have a cigarette intensifies with the absence of nicotine in the body. This desire can be overwhelming and drives many people to smoke within a few hours of quitting.
Irritability
Nicotine users can experience increased irritability when going through nicotine withdrawal.
Sleep disturbances
A person going through nicotine withdrawal can experience unpleasant sleep disturbances.
Increased appetite
Another common withdrawal symptom of nicotine is an increased appetite. This causes many people, especially women, to resume smoking.
Attention deficits
Many people experience attention difficulties when going th rough nicotine withdrawal.
In addition to the physical aspect of withdrawal, many nicotine users experience psychological symptoms as well. These may include desiring certain smoking rituals, smells, tastes and sights. A smoking cessation program can help a person effectively and permanently kick the habit.
Effects of smoking
Numerous studies have evaluated the adverse health effects smoking has on the body and the economy. The most serious facts on smoking related health and economic risks are listed below.
Tobacco is the only product, that when used as intended, damages the body and causes numerous life threatening health ailments.
Smoking related diseases, such as chronic lung disease and coronary heart disease, result in the deaths of over 400,000 Americans every year.
Tobacco products contain close to 5,000 different chemicals, of those chemicals 69 are known to cause cancers.
90% of all lung cancer deaths can be directly contributed to smoking. In addi tion to that, smoking is responsible for 80 to 90% of all deaths related to chronic lung diseases.
Nearly 9 million Americans suffer from a serious smoking related health ailment. For perspective, nearly 20 Americans suffer from a serious smoking related illness for every 1 person that dies from smoking related health issues.
Aside from heart and lung issues, smoking also has a detrimental effect on the digestive systems. It can cause infertility, peptic ulcer disease and delayed healing in wounds.
Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to an array of neonatal and infant health issues.
10% of all infant deaths, 14% of preterm deliveries and 20 - 30% of low birth weight babies can be directly related to smoking during pregnancy. Additionally, seemingly healthy babies born to women who smoked during pregnancy were found to have narrow airways and decreased lung function.
Facts on smoking in public places have shown that a non smoker will inhale the equivalent of 4 cigarettes if they remain in a room with a smoker for over 2 hours. This dispels the myth that smoking only endangers the health of the smoker.
In the United States, nearly $170 billion is incurred for health care costs caused by smoking related health issues.
Neonatal care costs attributed to tobacco exposure during pregnancy is estimated at over $350 million a year.
Bees from the nectar of the flowers produce honey a sweet sticky substance. From ages honey has been an essential part in the beauty regimes.
Lets take a look at the benefits that honey has provided us.
* Honey has anti-microbial properties and is known to treat minor irritations and sun burns.
* It is a good substance that should be used in moisturizers, creams and other beauty products as honey has the ability to retain water.
* One teaspoon of honey poured in a mug of water and if used for the last rinse will bring a shine to the hair. It will work wonders and make your hair soft and silky.
* It works well with alpha hydroxy acids - it helps soothe the skin against an abrasive treatment.
* Apply equal parts of honey and milk and leave for twenty minutes, you will notice a glow on your skin.
* Honey fights against any kind of skin damage and ageing as it has antioxidant properties.
* It also helps to fight against the damage caused by sun's UV rays.
Green tea has been touted for various health benefits (such as fighting against heart disease and cancer) largely due to it’s high level of antioxidants called catechins. Now, Chinese scientists have found that the catechins appear to be able to penetrate into the tissues of the eyes, especially into the retina, which is the light-sensing tissue that lines the back of the eye. The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, demonstrated that this antioxidant activity can last for up to 20 hours after drinking green tea extract. The authors theorize that the readily absorbed antioxidants help to protect the delicate tissues of the eye from glaucoma and other eye diseases. However, it must be noted that East Asians experience the highest rate of blindness from one common type of glaucoma, despite being among the largest consumers of green tea. Therefore, further studies will definitely be needed to confirm any protective ocular effects of green tea in humans.
