Categories
Uncategorized

Psoriasis – Can hemp seed help?

I love to answer questions from readers… A reader asked me whether using hemp seed or its oil could help improve psoriasis?

The quick answer is – yes! Hemp seed contains oil that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and these can reduce inflammation associated with psoriasis. Fish oils are also rich in these fats and would be equally useful (but not as tasty and definitely worse smelling…). Hemp seeds have a nutty flavour and can be sprinkled on cereal or salads. Hemp seed oil can be consumed, as is, or rubbed directly on the area of psoriasis. If a large area is affected, taking by mouth would certainly be easier. Hemp seeds are available in the natural food section of most large grocery stores and in some pharmacies.

But I thought I’d expand this article to include information about the disease and other things you can do for yourself if you are affected. So, here it goes…

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a skin condition that is thought to be related to a problem with the immune system – an autoimmune condition. The immune system’s T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. This causes them to over produce, building up in thick, scaly patches on the skin’s surface. It isn’t clear what causes T cells to malfunction, but both genetics and environment appear to play a role.

What can you do to prevent it?

Anyone can develop psoriasis, but your risk is higher if you have a parent who is affected, and higher still if both have it.

Psoriasis is typically started (or worsened) by triggers that you can avoid. These can include:

  • Infections of the skin or strep throat

  • Injury to the skin, like a cut, scrape, insect bite or severe sunburn

  • Stress

  • Smoking

  • Heavy alcohol use

  • Vitamin D deficiency

  • Certain medications, such as lithium, beta blockers (medications used for blood pressure), antimalarial drugs and iodides (iodine compounds, sometimes used in surgery prep)

So, obviously, avoiding these triggers or correcting them as soon as possible can result in improvement for many who suffer from psoriasis. Treat skin injuries with soothing creams that prevent infection, such as Polysporin Cream, to speed healing. Try a stress-reducing activity, like yoga or meditation, to reduce the effects of stress you can’t avoid. Don’t smoke and use alcohol in moderation. Get a controlled amount of sun exposure so you will produce your own vitamin D but avoid sunburn as the resulting skin damage can worsen psoriasis. Take a vitamin D supplement in the winter, if you live in a northern climate. Check with your pharmacist to find out whether any of your medications could be triggering your psoriasis.

Other non-prescription treatments

Besides the omega-3 supplements and topical oils mentioned above, there are several non-prescription treatments you could consider in mild cases of psoriasis. For severe psoriasis that causes you discomfort and pain, makes routine activities difficult, causes you concern about your skin’s appearance or is associated with painful, swollen joints, it is recommended to talk to your doctor. Be aware that there are more potent treatments that your doctor can prescribe.

Steroid creams and ointments are a mainstay of psoriasis treatment. Steroids block inflammation very effectively, reducing redness and plaque formation. Ointments are usually more effective than creams, as they provide occlusion and moisturize better than creams. True occlusion would be covering the area with a non-breathable material, like plastic wrap. This traps the medication in and makes it more potent. Ointment bases (like Vaseline) have a similar effect to covering the area, although not quite as efficient as plastic, and generally ointments are more potent than creams with the same strength of steroid. Ointment bases also trap moisture in more effectively than creams so are usually more moisturizing but greasy… less “cosmetically appealing”. Hydrocortisone cream up to 1% is available in many countries without a prescription now.

Salicylic acid, in creams and shampoos, helps to loosen and remove psoriasis skin scales. However, it can irritate the skin. Often, it’s combined with a steroid that will reduce the irritation and inflammation caused by both the salicylic and the psoriasis itself. Pharmacists will sometimes add this ingredient to an existing cream on a doctor’s order, but you can request them to do this for you too, as the ingredient doesn’t require a prescription.

Coal tar has been available in shampoo form for decades and is a common treatment for scalp psoriasis. Coal tar slows the division of skin cells, reducing the formation of plaques. As a pharmacist, I often added coal tar solution and salicylic acid to existing shampoos for clients, although they needed to be shaken well before use to remix the ingredients and had a strong smell. The combination is commercially available now, however. You would find is in the medicated shampoo section of the pharmacy.

Light therapy doesn’t actually require a prescription, although some forms are more potent and would only be administered by a therapist. A standard UV lamp could be used at home, but it’s recommended to discuss this with your doctor first to ensure you are using it safely.

Moisturizers alone won’t heal psoriasis, but they can reduce the symptoms of itching, scaling and dryness that accompany it. Apply immediately after a bath or shower, when the skin is more hydrated. Moisturizers with aloe vera and/or barberry (Oregon grape) may work better, as these ingredients can help reduce skin inflammation, redness, scaling and itching. Avoid scented products as these may be more likely to irritate the skin.

Prescriptions for psoriasis

Steroids that are much more potent than non-prescription hydrocortisone. There is a range of steroids of different strengths and in varying bases that can be tried. They generally have fewer side effects than other treatments so usually are the first prescription choice. The most common side effect is thinning of the skin, especially of concern in areas where the skin is already thinner (for example, the face), allowing the blood vessels to show through the skin. Loss of pigment from the skin at the application area can also be a side effect. As the drugs are absorbed through the skin, suppression of the immune system can occur when high-strength steroids are used on larger areas for a longer time, and especially if occluded (covered with a non-breathable dressing). Children are more susceptible to side effects because of their thinner skin and smaller body weight.

Retinoids, drugs that are similar to vitamin A, can improve psoriasis but have severe side effects, such as inflamed lips and hair loss. Pregnancy must be avoided in women taking these drugs and for 3 years afterward, as they can cause severe birth defects.

Methotrexate is a prescription drug that decreases the production of skin cells and reduces inflammation. It is used in high doses to treat some forms of cancer but, for psoriasis, it’s used in very low doses. Side effects of upset stomach, appetite loss and fatigue are related to the dose used and are generally not bothersome at the low doses used for psoriasis. Long-term use can cause more serious side effects, such as liver damage and decreased production of platelets and red and white blood cells.

Drugs that alter the immune system

  • Cyclosporin is a drug used mostly to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, but it can be used short-term to suppress the immune system, the underlying problem in psoriasis.

  • Biologics are a group of newer drugs that work by altering the immune system. They include expensive medications we see advertised on TV, such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Otezla, Cosentyx and others. Because they have strong effects on the immune system that may result in life-threatening infections, they are used with caution and generally only after traditional treatments have failed.

Keep in mind that a healthy immune system is aided by a good diet, healthy lifestyle, a well-functioning digestive system and exercise (especially outdoors, where you are exposed to healthy bacteria in the environment). Eliminating chronic, low-grade infections can also help the immune system by decreasing its workload.

Which treatments are used for psoriasis depends on how severe it is, and how much it bothers you. Because of the side effects, generally the safest treatments are tried first. But keep in mind that trigger control and simple strategies like moisturizers to control dryness and itching will usually not interfere with prescription treatments you may need to try. However, always discuss any non-prescription or alternative medications you are using with your doctor.

References:

Psoriasis Symptoms and Causes Mayo Clinic

National Psoriasis Foundation

Can Hemp Oil Help My Psoriasis?

Side -effects of topical steroids

Categories
Uncategorized

What’s this blog really about?

Three years of blogs…

I’ve been writing my health blog for over 3 years now (this is my 140th article!) and it’s evolved over time as many projects do. Originally, I planned to write about hormones, a rather narrow topic but, when several men subscribed, I expanded to general health topics that would interest everyone. Often I wrote about information I was asked when working in a pharmacy or about questions that readers suggested by email, using the “Questions/Comments?” button on my webpage. Over time, I started writing more about health-related topics that I found interesting as I read emails from pharmacy websites, or that I thought would interest people who joined my mail list or who followed me on Facebook, Linkedin or Pinterest.

Sometimes the topic was something I knew plenty about from my pharmacist experience, but I also based blogs on new research or unusual ideas… subjects I learned about and then shared if I think others would be interested as well. The questions I’ve received from readers were often on subjects I knew nothing about too, so I read about them and shared what I learned.

But this week I realized something…

I had read an article about “how to improve your blog” that suggested a writer really should know why she blogs and exactly what she is blogging about – what the purpose is. And with the contents of that article rumbling around my brain, I then read the introduction to a book about curiosity. It struck me that my blog is really about curiosity – my curiosity about ways to stay healthy, controversies in the health world, and what’s being discovered in health research. It’s also about your curiosity around health matters you want to understand better.

So, while I initially started blogging to improve my writing and to connect with others who might be interested in learning how to stay healthier, I began to follow my curiosity – learning about new treatments and ideas to maintain health, reading about controversies that questioned beliefs I had held for years, learning more about how the mind and body work and how we can help both to function ideally until old age.

I guess I’ve always had a curious mind but, now that I’m retired, I can really indulge my curiosity. Curiosity is what pushes us to learn more and try new things: Could I learn to do that? How does that work? Why does that happen?

As children, we are curious about everything in the world around us, asking questions that sometimes frustrate grownups caring for them. But sometimes as adults (especially if we’re busy or don’t know the answer), we discourage children’s curiosity or don’t bother to pursue answers to questions, theirs or ours. Many adults have lost their curious nature.

Curiosity is an excellent cure for boredom…

I used my curiosity to make my work more interesting, researching subjects that interested me, whether for myself or for a client, and trying new activities to see if they worked in a pharmacy setting. Curiosity is what led me to learn about hormones and, eventually, as I shared what I’d learned with women who were looking for this information, it resulted in the development of a specialty hormone consulting service in my pharmacy – one of the first of its kind in Canada. I guess that’s what I’m doing now with my health blog… exercising my curiosity, trying out new ideas and sharing them with you!

So, what are you curious about?

If it’s health related, I’d love to help satisfy your curiosity and expand your horizons! Click on the “Questions/Comments?” button to email me your burning questions related to your health! (Please note that the identity of those who pose questions is always kept confidential…)

Categories
Public Health

Is plastic making us gain weight?

Increasing evidence suggests that plastic is making us gain weight. A common ingredient in plastic, Bisphenol A (BPA), is the suspected culprit…it disrupts the normal actions of our hormones leading to a hormone imbalance that can cause an increase in body weight.

BPA has been identified as an “obesogen”… a chemical that can inappropriately change stability of fat metabolism (or fat homeostasis) and fat storage, change setpoints of metabolism, disrupt energy balance or change the regulation of appetite and feeling of satiety (or fullness) to promote fat accumulation and obesity.

A study in 2012 found that children and teenagers who had higher levels of BPA in their urine were more likely to be overweight. Similar results were found in studies of adults. Data from the American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that 92.6% of people age 6 and over have detectable levels of BPA in their urine.

Worries about BPA toxicity have led to BPA-free products being produced, using BPS and BPF instead. But are these products safer?

They may not be. A new study, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society in July 2019, suggests that all of the biphenols are linked with obesity and weight gain. Although diet and exercise are still considered the main factors in controlling weight, these chemicals may also be a factor.

Researchers point out that an association between bisphenols and obesity doesn’t necessarily prove they cause weight gain. They say more research is needed. However, this is just another reason to avoid use of plastic, and especially to ensure that it doesn’t come in contact with our food and drinks. Transfer of chemicals from plastic to food is more likely to occur when the food is hot or contains fats or oils, since these hormone-disrupting chemicals tend to dissolve in fats and oils, just like our own hormones do.

So,whenever possible, choose foods that are sold in paper, cloth or metal containers or, better yet, are sold in bulk with no packaging. Aim to buy drinks that are packaged in glass bottles. If you must use plastic items, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends washing them by hand as dishwashers can break down plastic more quickly, increasing the chance of chemicals leaking in future use. Don’t reuse plastic containers, like yogurt containers, that are designed for single use. Never microwave food in any plastic container that is not labelled “microwave safe”. Plastics labelled with 3, 6 or 7 in a triangle contain chemicals that should not come in contact with food (phthalates, styrene and bisphenols).

Avoiding plastic containers helps to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment. But, at the same time, you may also be improving your health and your waistline!

Interested in learning more about hormone disruptors? Check out my recently published book:

“Can I Speak to the Hormone Lady? Managing Menopause and Hormone Imbalances”. As well as discussing menopause problems, I also talk about what hormones do in the body and how chemicals in the environment can interfere with your hormones.

References:

Definition of “obesogen” (Wikipedia)

Chemical in Plastic Linked to Childhood Obesity

BPA-Free But Still Dangerous? Replacement Chemicals Linked to Childhood Obesity

You Shouldn’t Microwave Food in Plastic Containers or Put Them in the Dishwasher, Says New Research

Microwaving Food in Plastic: Dangerous or Not? Harvard Health

Can I Speak to the Hormone Lady? E-Book: Universal Book Link to several book services or Print: Amazon Canada Amazon US

Categories
Health

Laughter – good medicine!

We love to laugh, but have you noticed how much better you feel after a good belly laugh? Studies tell us that it actually improves our health in several ways.

Laughter is a way to connect with people and communicate. We actually laugh differently when we’re with people we like than when we’re alone. Laughter is a means of communicating. It says we understand and agree with the person we are talking to, and that we like or love them.

Laughter is contagious, especially laughter that is a reaction to something we find truly funny.

We have two basic types of laughter:

  • Involuntary laughter is:

    • Longer and higher pitched

    • A reaction to tickling, play or something you find really funny.

      • Sometimes results in the type of laughter you just can’t stop no matter how hard you try. Some call this a “good belly laugh”.

    • Influenced by the environment and how funny you perceive a situation.

      • Something you found uncontrollably hilarious on one occasion might be only mildly funny much later, leaving you wondering what happened…

  • Social or posed laughter is:

    • More “nasal” than involuntary laughter

    • Polite laughter used in a conversation that shows you agree and appreciate what the person you are talking to is saying

    • Used to communicate, a way of regulating emotions and forming bonds with people

    • Shows that you like the other person and that you want to make them happy, or other underlying meanings

Laughter is very nuanced. Its interpretation is universal – anyone can identify whether laughter is social or involuntary whether it’s from someone in their culture or country, or from the other side of the globe.

And it’s not just humans who laugh – monkeys and rats have also been observed laughing. Monkeys also have two types of laughter, just as humans do.

We also learn how to interpret laughter as we grow. We are best at interpreting what a laugh means in our 30s and early 40s, having learned through experience. As children, we are more likely to just want to join into the laughter we encounter, even if we don’t understand why people are laughing. As we get older, laughing becomes less contagious, perhaps because we are understanding the meaning better and less likely to feel we have to join in the mirth.

But the best part, is that laughter has been found to be good for our health.

Right away, laughter can:

  • Stimulate the lungs, heart and muscles

  • Ease tension by stimulating circulation and relaxing muscles

  • After a good laugh, it can reduce heart rate and blood pressure

Over the long term, laughing can:

  • Improve the immune system

    • Negative thoughts lead to increased stress

    • Positive thoughts and laughter trigger release of body chemicals that fight stress and potentially reduce the risk of serious illnesses

  • Relieve pain

    • Laughing stimulates the body to produce pain-relieving substances called endorphins that relieve pain, sometimes called our natural opioids

  • Make it easier to cope with difficult situations and connect to other people

  • Improve your mood

    • Laughter can help lessen depression and anxiety, and can make you feel happier

My mom loved to tell a story that she had read in the newspaper. It told of a man who was diagnosed with incurable cancer and told nothing could be done to help him. Instead of getting sad and depressed, he booked a room in a hotel and watched every funny movie their service offered. When he next returned to the doctor, the article claimed, they could find no trace of the cancer! Whether this is true or not, I can’t say, but the story described the man as laughing his way to health…one of those rare cases of spontaneous healing, facilitated by laughter. Perhaps the lesson here is that creating opportunities for laughter and enjoyment of life is good for us!

Here are some things you can do to take advantage of the benefits of laughter:

  1. Hang up jokes or cartoons that make you laugh in your home or office. Keep funny books, movies, videos, or subscribe to joke websites and look at them when you need a humor boost.

  2. Keep a sense of humor and find a way to laugh about your own situation. I actually found a book written by a breast cancer survivor about the funny side of having cancer. She said her sense of humor helped her get through it and she hoped her little cartoons might help someone else in the same situation.

  3. Spend time with people who make you laugh. Share funny jokes and stories with those around you.

  4. Know what is funny and appropriate. Don’t laugh at the expense of others.

Jokes are always funnier when you read them out loud with other people around. I learned this the hard way when I was giving my early presentations. Hardly anyone laughed when I put a cartoon up on the screen, but when I read the caption out loud, everyone laughed! Share the joy when the timing is right…

So, here is a dirty joke to start off your weekend on the “right foot”…and read it out loud to whoever is nearby!

“Why did the dirty chicken cross the road twice???

She was a dirty double-crosser!”

If you are interested in learning more about the science of laughter, watch the 15-minute TED Talk in the references below.

References:

Ted Talk – Why we laugh

Stress management – Mayo Clinic

Categories
Health

Could sunshine be good for you?

There is no question that sun exposure ages the skin and increases risk of skin cancer… but research suggests that we may live longer if we get some sunshine every day.

Dermatologists recommend that our skin should always be protected from the sun. Of course, because they’re specialized, most only look at the sun’s effect on the skin rather than its effect on overall health. Although malignant melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer, 99% of skin cancers are non-melanoma, and 80% of these are basal cell cancers that are almost never fatal.

But some dermatologists have noticed that their patients with skin cancer are more likely to be in excellent health while those with beautiful skin preserved by avoiding sun were often low-energy and had multiple health problems. This observation motivated Dr. Matt Zirwas, an Ohio dermatologist, to investigate studies that examined this issue. What he found, he says, suggests that completely avoiding sun could have the same effect on your mortality as deciding to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. Note that an ideal study will always look at increases in overall survival, not just decreased death from one disease.

The science…

A 2014 Swedish study found that the risk of dying from all causes was approximately doubled in those with little or no sun exposure compared to those with the most time in the sun. The main benefit was a decrease in risk of cardiovascular disease – heart attacks and strokes – that reduced risk of death despite an increase in risk of skin cancer. A Denmark study published in 2013 found that people who had been diagnosed with skin cancer actually had lower rates of heart disease and death compared to the general population.

Statistics from US can help us to understand why this could happen. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that about 7,000 people in US will die of malignant melanoma this year and that less than 5,000 will die of other skin cancers. However, cardiovascular disease kills about 650,000 Americans yearly. It is easy to see that any factor which causes even a modest reduction in cardiovascular disease could quickly outweigh the risk of harm it causes to the skin.

It’s been noted for decades that heart disease increases in the winter and decreases in the summer. This “winter cardiovascular disease phenomenon” could be a result of cold weather causing blood vessels to narrow. But it’s also suspected that the nitric oxide produced by sunshine on the skin could be helping prevent heart disease by dilating blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and keeping arteries smooth and supple. Vitamin D, produced when the sun shines on the skin, is also a factor in promoting health, improving the immune system and reducing heart disease.

Evolution…

We evolved spending a lot of time outdoors in the sun and our skin pigmentation has adapted through evolution to protect us from excessive sun damage. However, when a person with a fair complexion adapted to the north moves to a hot sunny climate, their risk of skin cancer is increased. Those with darker skin adapted to more intense sun are at risk of a lack of vitamin D when they move north. It makes sense that sun precautions should be based on skin type and the climate where the person lives for optimum health and benefit.

But still be cautious!

My motto is “everything in moderation” and this includes sun habits. Considering the benefits of sun exposure as well as the risks, it makes sense to enjoy the sun but avoid sunburn, and to check skin regularly for any sign of possible skin cancer.

Here is what to watch for:

  • The ABCDE rule

    • Asymmetry – one part of a mole or birthmark doesn’t match the other

    • Border – the edges are irregular or blurred

    • Colour – brown, black sometimes with patches of pink, red, white or blue. Not the same all over.

    • Diameter – larger than 6mm or ¼ inch (about the size of a pencil eraser)

    • Evolving – the mole is changing in size, shape or colour

  • Any new spot that is different from others on your body, or is itchy painful, tender, oozing, scaly or bleeding and doesn’t heal, is something to show your doctor.

  • Check out this article from cancer.org for photos

References: (note that all underlined words are links to websites)

Journal of Internal Medicine

International Journal of Epidemiology

How to Spot Skin Cancer – American Cancer Society

Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Categories
Uncategorized

Is it Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or NPH?

NPH, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, is a brain disease that is often misdiagnosed because it mimics other brain conditions. This can result in patients waiting years to receive a treatment that could give them significant improvement… or never receiving it at all.

It is estimated that 15,000 Canadians and 700,000 Americans have NPH but less than 20% are diagnosed correctly. Instead, they are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s Disease, or just old age.

“Hydrocephalus” means increased water or fluid in the brain. This condition can also occur in children, but they usually have increased pressure in the brain while adults with the condition have pressure that fluctuates from normal to elevated. It is treated by surgically inserting a shunt to drain fluid from the brain and spinal cord (called cerebrospinal fluid) into another part of the body.

Adults produce 500 ml (2 cups) of cerebrospinal fluid each day. This fluid supports and cushions the brain, removes waste and distributes important substances. When its circulation is blocked, fluid accumulates, causing the cavities within the brain (called ventricles) to enlarge, pressing on parts of the brain and causing malfunction. The type of malfunction would depend on which area was receiving pressure.

Symptoms

The adult version of the disease, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, was named before newer forms of brain monitoring showed that pressure could be high as well as normal, but the name stuck even though it isn’t quite accurate. NPH most commonly occurs in adults over age 60. Symptoms include:

  • Difficulty standing and walking, a shuffling gait

  • Impaired bladder control

  • Memory problems and lack of concentration

It is not necessary to have all 3 symptoms to be diagnosed with NPH. In many cases, physical symptoms appear first, followed by mental symptoms like forgetfulness.

Cause

Most cases of NPH are “idiopathic”, which means the cause is unknown. This is also referred to as “primary NPH”. There is also “secondary NPH” that is caused by another condition, such as head injury, brain surgery, subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), tumors, cysts (closed, sac-like abnormal structures that contain fluid, air or a semisolid substance), meningitis or other brain infections.

Symptoms progress with time. The longer and more severe the symptoms, the less likely treatment will be successful, but some patients with symptoms for years can improve with treatment. One study found that 87% of those treated had experienced improvement.

How is it diagnosed?

Often the affected person or a family member brings the symptoms to the attention of the family doctor, leading to a diagnosis. Sometimes enlarged ventricles (fluid-filled spaces) in the brain are found when the brain is scanned for another reason. It is recommended to see a neurologist or neurosurgeon if NPH is suspected for an evaluation and interpretation of test results.

3 types of testing can be used:

  1. An interview, physical exam (to rule out other causes) and a neurologic exam to assess brain function

    1. Observation of walking and turning

    2. Questions about bladder function

    3. Pencil and paper tests to examine attention, reaction time, memory, reasoning, language and emotional state).

  2. Brain imaging to look for enlarged ventricles in the brain

    1. CT scan

    2. MRI (can detect impaired fluid flow as well as enlarged ventricles)

  3. Tests to predict whether surgery will help

    1. Lumbar puncture/spinal tap (A thin needle is inserted into the fluid around the base of the spine in the lower back. Pressure can be tested and up to 50 ml of fluid is drained off to see if lowering fluid pressure will improve symptoms)

Because of the high rate of misdiagnosis, the Hydrocephalus Association is conducting a campaign to inform doctors and the public about NPH. Check out their website — it’s a good place to start, if you are interested in more information.

References:

CTV News

The Hydrocephalus Association

Categories
Health

Old Drugs, New Research

I’ve blogged previously about antidepressant medications which, while helpful for some with severe depression, are not as effective as we would like. One physician/author compared them to non-drug therapies that were equally effective but take longer to kick in. His well-referenced article was published in the Canadian journal, Pharmacy Practice. Here’s a link to that blog, in case you missed it.

But I’ve been reading about new research into some old medications that were being studied for use in those with mental illness in the 50s and 60s but set aside due to concerns about recreational misuse of the drugs. I’m talking about LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and psilocybin (also known as magic mushrooms). I was so surprised to learn these Psychedelic drugs had been studied in the past and were being studied again for treating mental health issues that I had to read more about them. In pharmacy school, these drugs were only discussed as drugs of abuse. I had no idea they might be useful medications. As in many other professions, the history of psychedelic medication studies for therapeutic uses had been erased, never to be mentioned.

“How to Change Your Mind” is a newly published book by investigative reporter, Michael Pollan, that shares information gathered from many interviews with researchers, therapists and people who have used the psychedelic drugs: LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, peyote and others. The word, “Psychedelic”, by the way is Latin for “mind manifesting”. Some of these drugs have a long history of ceremonial or religious use in many different cultures.

LSD is a synthetic drug, originally created in 1938 by researcher, Albert Hofmann, who was working for the Sandoz pharmaceutical company, but he only began testing its effects in 1943. The drug’s structure and actions were so unusual he didn’t know what to do with it. So, the company provided it for free to anyone who was able and willing to perform research with it from the date it was released under the brand name, Delysid, in 1947 until they stopped production in 1965. The withdrawal occurred in response to the drug being declared illegal by the US government due to its widespread recreational use – the “hippie” culture.

Although a small amount of research continued underground, it began again slowly after 2010, mainly as small quiet projects and efforts to recover information from past studies. In 2016 and 2017, larger studies in US and UK were officially sanctioned. Old research results were unearthed from archives and added to the knowledge bases that were being developed. Because of the baggage attached to LSD from its history of past abuse, the new studies mostly used psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms.

Treatment with psychedelic drugs has been found to have positive effects on depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), palliative care (fear of dying), alcoholism and compulsive behaviours. However, it is not the effect of the drug itself, but the experience the person has while on the “trip” the drug produces that changes their behaviour. The same results can be achieved by any of the psychedelic drugs (in sufficient dose), by deep meditation (by an experienced meditator) or by the experience of profound awe (for example, as described by an early astronaut, when he first saw the earth from space). Experiments were also performed on healthy people – artists, musicians, writers – to see if it would enhance their creativity or improve their outlook on life.

Treatments results are described as being highly influenced by what is suggested before the drug is given, the mindset of the person and the setting in which is it given. A trained guide prepares the patient beforehand, stays with them during the time the drug is active in their system, and meets with them afterward to help interpret what they experienced. As such, the treatment is really a combination of medication and counselling, not just a drug treatment alone. This is different from standard drug treatments. Some refer to the therapy as drug-assisted psychotherapy.

So, the challenge in testing these drugs is that it’s not simply the drug effect, but the experience the person has while under its influence that makes the treatment effective. This makes it much more difficult to perform the standard studies used in Western medicine, where a drug is compared with a placebo (sugar pill) to determine how well it works.

The dosing is also much different: when the drug is successfully given once, the effect may last 6 months, a year or longer. Occasionally, only needed a single treatment is needed. People will often describe the “trip” experienced while the drug in active in their system as the most profound experience of their lives. One woman, when asked what she experienced, said she learned that “love was everything”. When the guide then asked what else she learned, she said “no you don’t understand; love is EVERYthing”. That sounds so much like the hippie movement of the 60s – “love is all you need” – when LSD was popular with the counterculture. It seems this is a common sentiment after a successful “trip” on a psychedelic drug.

Two common themes described by volunteers for the treatment were reconnecting with their feelings, core beliefs, values and with others and nature; and a new access to difficult emotions that depression blunts or shuts down completely.

Depression currently affects almost 1 in 10 in North America and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. There are over 42,000 suicides in US every year, more than deaths from either breast cancer or car accidents. Half of these have never received mental health treatment. Experts are describing the mental health treatment system as “broken”. (see reference, below)

Studies are currently being conducted at Johns Hopkins, New York University, Heffter Research Institute and others in US as well as centers in other countries. Research includes addiction treatment, benefits to patients with cancer, treatment-resistant depression. There is also some research in healthy volunteers to learn how the drug works in the brain and how it affects attention, perception and cognition. While it may be years until this therapy is proven safe and effective and becomes an accepted treatment for medical use, it is exciting to watch the development of what may be a significant break-through in treatment for mental illnesses.

References:

How to Change Your Mind, Michael Pollan

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

ClinicalTrials.gov

Categories
Health

It's OK to Complain…especially when you're sick!

How are you?

Sometimes the polite answer to “How are you?” isn’t the one you should give – if it’s your doctor or a concerned family member who is asking. My mom, never one to complain, would always answer “Fine, thank you” whether she was feeling well or not. In later years, after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis when she really wasn’t feeling well at all, her answer changed to “Not too bad, thanks”. For her, I believe this probably led to a delay in treatment.

Many people will say they’re fine when they really aren’t – not wanting to be seen as a complainer – but there’s a way to say you’re not at your best without being whiny and to ask for help when you need it. Yesterday, at the milk cooler in the grocery store, an elderly woman asked if I might pass her a quart of milk – it was on the top shelf and I could see, from the way she was using the grocery cart for support, that she had some physical disabilities. Shoulder arthritis may have been one, balance might have been another. I was happy to help her out.

Staying composed

Our society values composure, especially in women. Being poised, regardless of the situation, is considered a virtue, a talent. At the opposite end of the spectrum, simply pouring out emotions with the goal of “purging” may not be the answer either. I think something between, expressing emotions or discussing problems with a trusted person, is a better plan especially when the goal is to work out a solution or at least a next step to take. Depending on the nature of the health problem, this person could be a sympathetic friend, family member or a healthcare professional.

Stress and muscles

Holding in emotions can actually affect your health. Hilary Jacobs Hendel, author of It’s Not Always Depression, describes how we change our breathing and contract certain muscles when we suppress emotions. Tension headaches are a result of spasms of muscles in the scalp, and many problems with back pain originate with muscle spasms along the spine or in the hip muscles. Dr. John Sarno, a rehab specialist physician in New York (now retired), has written extensively about the association between stress and back pain. He has noted that many of his patients would improve once they realized the likely origin of their back pain, especially when no structural cause could be found. He has suggested that the brain shunts blood away from an area of the body, creating pain and spasms, to distract us from the stress or emotion we want to suppress. Certainly an interesting explanation!

I’ve noticed that I carry my tension in my shoulders – usually I don’t even notice I’m tightening my shoulder muscles until they become achy and painful. The body systems that our subconscious brain chooses to block when we’re stressed vary from person to person, resulting in back or shoulder pain for some, headaches, or digestive problems for others. But even when the pain originates with an emotion, the pain is real and can be extreme.

And more…

Suppressing emotions can also cause other problems. Hendel says “Learning to be extremely composed meant we had to suppress natural, primal emotions, and blocking core emotions over time contributes to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and even addiction.” We can probably add cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases and maybe cancer and others to that list. Often, women choose composure and suppression of emotions rather than risk being labelled hysterical (note that “hyster” refers to anything concerning the uterus…). Generations ago, women’s emotions were thought to be associated with their hormonal cycle, hence the term “hysterical” – blame it all on the uterus! She notes that women in particular are at risk of feeling pressured not to express their pain, and observed in her 2001 study that women are more likely to have pain dismissed even by healthcare professionals as “emotional” or “psychogenic” (created by the mind) and, therefore, “not real.”

None of us are fine all the time. The harm to our health occurs when we keep up a stoic front, a “stiff upper lip”, and don’t seek the help we need for physical or emotional difficulties soon enough. The idea that you can and should distinguish between things you can control and those you cannot is a powerful way to cope when you really aren’t fine. Working on things you can change and getting help, when necessary, with those you cannot is a solid strategy to gain control of your life and help prevent stress-related illnesses.

References:

When Staying Composed Harms Your Health – Medium.com

It’s Not Always Depression – Hilary Jacobe Hendel

Healing Back Pain – Dr. John Sarno

Categories
Health

It’s OK to Complain…especially when you’re sick!

How are you?

Sometimes the polite answer to “How are you?” isn’t the one you should give – if it’s your doctor or a concerned family member who is asking. My mom, never one to complain, would always answer “Fine, thank you” whether she was feeling well or not. In later years, after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis when she really wasn’t feeling well at all, her answer changed to “Not too bad, thanks”. For her, I believe this probably led to a delay in treatment.

Many people will say they’re fine when they really aren’t – not wanting to be seen as a complainer – but there’s a way to say you’re not at your best without being whiny and to ask for help when you need it. Yesterday, at the milk cooler in the grocery store, an elderly woman asked if I might pass her a quart of milk – it was on the top shelf and I could see, from the way she was using the grocery cart for support, that she had some physical disabilities. Shoulder arthritis may have been one, balance might have been another. I was happy to help her out.

Staying composed

Our society values composure, especially in women. Being poised, regardless of the situation, is considered a virtue, a talent. At the opposite end of the spectrum, simply pouring out emotions with the goal of “purging” may not be the answer either. I think something between, expressing emotions or discussing problems with a trusted person, is a better plan especially when the goal is to work out a solution or at least a next step to take. Depending on the nature of the health problem, this person could be a sympathetic friend, family member or a healthcare professional.

Stress and muscles

Holding in emotions can actually affect your health. Hilary Jacobs Hendel, author of It’s Not Always Depression, describes how we change our breathing and contract certain muscles when we suppress emotions. Tension headaches are a result of spasms of muscles in the scalp, and many problems with back pain originate with muscle spasms along the spine or in the hip muscles. Dr. John Sarno, a rehab specialist physician in New York (now retired), has written extensively about the association between stress and back pain. He has noted that many of his patients would improve once they realized the likely origin of their back pain, especially when no structural cause could be found. He has suggested that the brain shunts blood away from an area of the body, creating pain and spasms, to distract us from the stress or emotion we want to suppress. Certainly an interesting explanation!

I’ve noticed that I carry my tension in my shoulders – usually I don’t even notice I’m tightening my shoulder muscles until they become achy and painful. The body systems that our subconscious brain chooses to block when we’re stressed vary from person to person, resulting in back or shoulder pain for some, headaches, or digestive problems for others. But even when the pain originates with an emotion, the pain is real and can be extreme.

And more…

Suppressing emotions can also cause other problems. Hendel says “Learning to be extremely composed meant we had to suppress natural, primal emotions, and blocking core emotions over time contributes to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and even addiction.” We can probably add cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases and maybe cancer and others to that list. Often, women choose composure and suppression of emotions rather than risk being labelled hysterical (note that “hyster” refers to anything concerning the uterus…). Generations ago, women’s emotions were thought to be associated with their hormonal cycle, hence the term “hysterical” – blame it all on the uterus! She notes that women in particular are at risk of feeling pressured not to express their pain, and observed in her 2001 study that women are more likely to have pain dismissed even by healthcare professionals as “emotional” or “psychogenic” (created by the mind) and, therefore, “not real.”

None of us are fine all the time. The harm to our health occurs when we keep up a stoic front, a “stiff upper lip”, and don’t seek the help we need for physical or emotional difficulties soon enough. The idea that you can and should distinguish between things you can control and those you cannot is a powerful way to cope when you really aren’t fine. Working on things you can change and getting help, when necessary, with those you cannot is a solid strategy to gain control of your life and help prevent stress-related illnesses.

References:

When Staying Composed Harms Your Health – Medium.com

It’s Not Always Depression – Hilary Jacobe Hendel

Healing Back Pain – Dr. John Sarno

#Wellness #Womensissues

Categories
Uncategorized

It's Bug Season!

‘Tis the season for biting insects. This spring was wetter than usual, and that usually means more puddles for insects to breed in and more insects to spoil your enjoyment of the great outdoors!

Important reasons to avoid bug bites

Most insect bites are just a nuisance, but some insects can transmit diseases. Mosquitos in some parts of the world can carry Zika virus, Dengue fever or malaria. Check travel sites for information on the area you plan to visit, especially if an expectant mother: Government of Canada; USA Centers for Disease Control (see Zika Virus Travel Information section).

Lyme disease is carried by common ticks that are generally found in long grassy areas, especially those frequented by deer who carry ticks. Tick bites can be avoided by wearing long sleeved shirts and pants, tucking in shirt-tales and pulling socks up over pants. Light-coloured clothing helps you to see any ticks that have latched onto you. It is also recommended to shower 1 to 2 hours after a nature outing and to check skin carefully for ticks, especially in folds of skin and even your bellybutton where they may be hiding! Brush your pet before he comes indoors too and check carefully to be sure he hasn’t picked up a tick either. Read my previous blog, Tick Talk, for more information about avoiding and treating tick bites. Note that Lyme disease is now being detected in Canada as well as many parts of US.

How to avoid insect bites

Here’s what Dermatologists suggest to avoid insect bites:

  • Use an insect repellant containing 20-30% DEET. Apply it to clothing and all exposed skin. Reapply as directed on label.

  • If also using sunscreen, apply it first and let it dry before applying insect repellant. Do not use combination sunscreen/insect repellant: sunscreen should be applied liberally and often and this could result in application of too much insect repellant.

  • As mentioned above, wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck shirt-tails into pants and pant bottoms into socks, especially if walking in long grass where insects like to hang out. Insects tend to be attracted to darker colours, so wearing light coloured clothing may help.

  • Have bed nets available to protect you while you sleep. A net can also keep that one elusive mosquito you can’t catch away from you, so it won’t keep you up all night! If the net isn’t long enough to reach the floor, tuck it under the mattress to make sure there are no gaps.

Treating bites

If all the above fails (and it’s quite likely it will on some occasion), here’s what you can do:

  • If it’s a painful bite (like a bee or wasp), take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed on the label.

  • Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes. This can help for painful or itchy bites.

  • Apply Calamine lotion or Hydrocortisone Cream, available at pharmacies.

  • If you have a lot of bites, try a quick-acting antihistamine, like Reactine or Benadryl. Be sure to follow the directions on the label. Note that Benadryl causes drowsiness.

  • If you develop a rash, fever or body aches, see your doctor. Tell him/her about the insect bite you received. If bitten by a tick, remove it carefully with tweezers and store it in a ziplock bag or in a fold of clear tape for a couple of weeks. If you feel unwell within a week or two, your doctor may want to test the tick for Lyme disease bacteria.

My other bit of advice is that insects generally don’t like wind, so pick a windy area to relax in or create your own wind with a strong fan. Planting some citronella, marigolds or rosemary plants around your deck can help too, as insects don’t like their smell (even though we do!). Or you can just throw a few sprigs of rosemary on the BBQ coals or bonfire.

And, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, here are a couple of recipes you can try:

Yard Spray

1/3 large bottle of blue mouthwash

1 cup Epsom salts (available at pharmacies as “bath salts”)

1 x 12-oz beer (non-alcoholic should work fine too)

Spray in yard, but not on plants or grass (the salt could harm them).

It can last up to 80 days.

Skin Spray (non-sticky, non-oily)

Put a handful of fresh basil leaves in a glass measuring cup.

Add ½ c water and ½ cup vodka or rubbing alcohol.

Heat to boiling in microwave (about 1 minute).

Let sit, covered, for 2 to 4 hours.

Remove basil, squeezing to remove liquid.

Pour into small spray bottle (often available in cosmetic departments or craft stores).

Spray on skin as necessary.

So, there you go… by special request, from a friend and reader who was asking for help with itchy bug bites! Please note: I haven’t tried these recipes yet, but they were highly rated by their sources and sound so interesting! I’m one of those lucky folks who live in a naturally windy place so have little problem with mosquitos… But please let me know if you try these and how well they work for you!

References:

American Academy of Dermatology Association

Accidentally Green

Jeannie’s blog: Tick Talk