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Mixing These Drugs With Marijuana Can Be Dangerous

Terry Hacienda
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Mixing These Drugs With Marijuana Can Be Dangerous

Medical students do not get an education in the endocannabinoid system, which is a shame. Most doctors have a firm understanding about pharmaceuticals and other traditional Western medicinal therapies. You might get lucky and have a personal physician who has a basic knowledge about holistic medicine, herbal therapies and other integrative health techniques. Sadly, this lack of information puts patients at risk and encourages some to self-diagnose and self-medicate. If you are consuming cannabis — for medicinal, recreational, spiritual, wellness or any other purpose — it is vitally important to share this information with your doctor. While cannabis is a safe drug, you need to be careful when you mix these drugs with marijuana.

Don’t be afraid to share; there is a thing called doctor-patient confidentiality. Besides, eight states have already legalized recreational marijuana and 29 states allow some form of medicinal use.

Why is it vital? Even though cannabis is considered to be a fairly safe psychoactive substance — and there has never been a documented case of fatal overdose — there can be medical issued when mixed with some prescription medications.

According to Dr. Sarah T. Melton, associate professor of Pharmacy Practice at the Gatton College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University:

“Marijuana has potentially serious drug interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medications. By sharing details of marijuana use, the prescriber can best make decisions about medication choices and educate the patient about any potential contraindications or need for monitoring.”

Since science regarding the interaction of pharmaceuticals and cannabis — still a Schedule I drug, which means research is difficult — there is no definitive list of what medications are unsafe to use in combination with marijuana. To be clear, this is true for most herbal medications, which are tested by the FDA under a different protocol than pharmaceuticals.

According to the Mayo Clinic, cannabis may adversely interact with:

  • anabolic steroids
  • barbiturates
  • benzodiazepines
  • central nervous system depressants
  • corticosteroids
  • dopamine antagonists
  • nicotine
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
  • opioid receptor antagonists
  • pain relievers
  • phytoestrogens

Another trusted source is Drugs.com, an independent medicine information site that provides “independent, objective, comprehensive and up-to-date information for both consumers and healthcare professionals.”

According the Drugs.com, definitely check with your physician before combining cannabis and these pharmaceutical medicines:

Benztropine

Using cannabis together with benztropine can increase nervous system side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.

Buprenorphine and cannabis

Using buprenorphine together with cannabis can lead to serious side effects such as respiratory distress, coma, or even death. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Levomethadyl acetate

Using levomethadyl acetate together with cannabis may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, depression, low blood pressure, slow or shallow breathing, and impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.

Propoxyphene

First some good news: Propoxyphene hasn’t been on the market since 2o1o after the FDA issued a warning. If you come across some in the back of your medicine closet, toss him out.

Using propoxyphene together with cannabis may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should take propoxyphene exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Sodium oxybate

Using sodium oxybate together with cannabis may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, depression, low blood pressure, slow or shallow breathing, and impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.

SSRIs

Using cannabis together with SSRI’s such as escitalopram may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications.

Alcohol

Using cannabis  together with alcoholic beverages may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with cannabis. Do not use more than the recommended dose of cannabis, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.

Yes, booze and buds can be a dangerous concoction. If you enjoy a craft beer with your joint or a chardonnay with your vape, use caution and know your limit!

This is not a complete list. It is vitally important for you to have the conversation with your doctor. And do a little homework on your own. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season : Here Are America’s Faves

Amy Hansen
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It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season : Here Are America’s Faves

As New Year’s resolutions begin hitting the pavement like fallen angles, it’s once again time for Girl Scout cookies.

https://giphy.com/gifs/ernest-p-worrell-b0PLm41kRjtkY

Which flavor is America’s favorite?

According to the Girl Scouts of America, Thin Mints followed by Samoas are the most popular cookies. Tagalongs, Do-si-dos and Trefoils round out the top 5.

And now in its 101st year of cookie sales, the organization has grown past door-to-door sales; these days, you can buy cookies online through an app called Digital Cookie, which allows you to buy directly from a Scout herself. Girl Scouts of America CEO Anna Maria Chávez  says that by buying cookies online, “you could be helping to prepare the next female leader of a global tech giant who changes our world forever.”

“It’s my most favorite time of year,” Stewart Goodbody, senior director of communications and external affairs at GSUSA, told Newsweek. 

It’s funny because not everyone gets it. They see the cookies, they know they’re delicious, they think it’s adorable the girls are selling them, but there are so many other levels cookie season could and should be appreciated on.

According to the GSUSA (via Newsweek), two-thirds of female congressional leaders were Girl Scouts, 70 percent of professional women are Girl Scouts, and almost every female astronaut is a Girl Scout. And Inc. reports that roughly 80 percent of women entrepreneurs were Girl Scouts.

The most popular cookie to launch in the program’s history is returning this year: the S’more, which debuted in 2017.

Dates vary by state, but cookie season usually runs from January to April.

NBA Pro Stephen Jackson: I Smoked Marijuana My Whole Career

Brendan Bures
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NBA Pro Stephen Jackson: I Smoked Marijuana My Whole Career

Former NBA forward Stephen Jackson was known for stirring up controversy throughout his career, most notably his involvement with the infamous Malice at the Palace. It appears, even in retirement, Jackson still knows how to make a headline.

In an interview with TMZ, Jackson admitted that he smoked marijuana his entire career in the NBA. He clarified that he didn’t smoke before games—“Ain’t nobody can play high in the NBA,” Jackson said—but that he helped him come down after the game.

“I smoked (weed) my whole career. I had a hell of a career (and) missed no games,” Jackson said. “I’m not going to say it helped, but as far as after the games coming down and relaxing, yeah, it helped.”

Former NBA commissioner David Stern made waves late last year when he admitted that marijuana “probably should be removed from” the league’s banned substances list. Jackson also agrees with the sentiment.

“They can’t control it. They (NBA) won’t let it be legal until they can control it,” Jackson said.

Adulting: 5 Wines To Pair With Your Girl Scout Cookies

Zach Geballe
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Adulting: 5 Wines To Pair With Your Girl Scout Cookies

After a dozen years in the restaurant biz, I tend to think I understand the various “food seasons” of the year, whether it’s the first spring vegetables that show their faces in early March, or the peak of blackberry season in September, or many more. Yet there’s one season that always seems to catch me by surprise: Girl Scout cookie season.

One day, I’m minding my own business, walking out of the grocery store, and the next thing I know, I’ve got five boxes of Thin Mints staring me in the eye just daring me to eat them all.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that pairing wine with cookies isn’t exactly easy (though it’s still better than milk), and to some extent sweet foods with dry wines is asking for trouble, but what the hell, I like a challenge.

Thin Mints

https://www.instagram.com/p/BB-41hGwvmU

Mint and chocolate is a delightful combo, and fortunately happens to pair wonderfully with Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, which just so happens to also have both strong mint and chocolate notes. You can also experiment with other members of the Cabernet family, in particular Carmenere, if you want to broaden your horizons.

Tagalongs

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCN3HQAQvlj

Besides chocolate, what’s the best natural pairing for peanut butter? That’s right, jelly! So we’re looking for a fruit-driven wine that maybe also packs a touch of residual sugar.

In my world, that’s almost always Zinfandel, something from a warmer place like Lodi or Napa.

Trefoils

https://www.instagram.com/p/z73-XrQvtG

Shortbread is a natural pairing with sparkling wine, and in this case I’m looking at a Reserva-level Cava from Spain, something that spent a fair amount of time aging so that it’s really developed the rich notes of brioche and clotted cream that will make this under-loved cookie pop!

Samoas

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDIyEkBQvhx

Well, this is a bit of a toughie, but I think we’ll work with the coconut and caramel and let the chocolate take care of itself. I’m thinking of a big, oaky Chardonnay, something with a hint of tropical fruit to compliment the coconut and a good deal of butter and vanilla to work with that caramel. Napa Valley or Australia would be good places to start.

Do-si-dos

https://www.instagram.com/p/7lu-3hQvnx/

The combination of peanut butter and oatmeal makes for a bit of a complicated pairing, but in this case I think a richer, more oxidative white wine is just perfect. I’m thinking of a Roussanne-Marsanne blend from France’s Rhone Valley, where you’ll get some of those same nutty flavors and a delightfully full body without ODing on oak.

So there you go; maybe you should stock up on these wines before your next trip to the grocery store, just to be safe.

 

Former Federal Prosecutor Changes Teams, Joins Cannabis Company

Terry Hacienda
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Former Federal Prosecutor Changes Teams, Joins Cannabis Company

Not too long ago, Duncan Levin was responsible for rooting out money launderers and drug dealers in New York. Today, it was announced that he will join GoFire, a Denver-based digital cannabis healthcare firm focused on vaporization technologies.

Photo courtesy of GoFire

“We are honored by Duncan’s choice to participate with the GoFire team on our board of advisors,” said Peter Calfee, CEO of GoFire, Inc. “His background and experience will prove invaluable as GoFire brings a solution to the world of plant-based medicine that has eluded both the medical and pharmaceutical communities,” Calfee added.

“With Duncan’s input and guidance, I believe that we will be able to bring a solution to patients, physicians and regulators alike that will address the issues of dose-ability, safety, and consistency of plant-based medicines. The end result should finally legitimize the therapeutic potential of plant-based medicine delivery platforms,” Calfee continued.

Levin was a well-respected former federal prosecutor and expert in the space of anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, and trade sanctions. He has more than 20 years of experience, including his time as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Levin specialized in money laundering and asset forfeiture and served on the senior staff of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where he was Chief of Asset Forfeiture. As the forfeiture chief for Manhattan, District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., Levin oversaw all criminal and civil asset forfeiture and money laundering on a wide variety of cases, including white-collar fraud, identity theft, organized crime, terrorist financing, and narcotics cases.

The GoFire system bridges the true potential of plant-based-medicine with physicians and researchers by providing a convection vaporizer paired with a smartphone application. The entire ecosystem was designed to help patients, physicians, and researchers better understand the therapeutic and medicinal benefits of plant-based medicine by providing real-time data on use and efficacy.

“There is undoubtedly a need for patients and physicians to have access to plant-based medicine, delivered in individualized metered doses along with a technology platform that provides accountability and efficacy tracking,” said Levin. “GoFire combines all of it in one device, and I have no doubt that it will quickly become the default standard for any state hoping to legalize plant-based therapies now and in the future.”

GoFire’s proprietary micro-dosing technology enables precise control of plant-based concentrates in metered, controllable increments. For more information, visit the GoFire website.

Gossip: Inside Pregnant Kylie Jenner’s ’60-Pound’ Weight Gain; ‘RHONJ’ Star Teresa Giudice’s Cheating Scandal Revealed

Naughty Gossip
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Gossip: Inside Pregnant Kylie Jenner’s ’60-Pound’ Weight Gain; ‘RHONJ’ Star Teresa Giudice’s Cheating Scandal Revealed

There’s a reason why Kylie Jenner has been hiding out since news of her pregnancy broke — and it may have to do with her weight.

A source tells Radar Online the “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star has been avoiding cameras because she has gained nearly 60 pounds after word got out she’s expecting her first child — reportedly a baby girl — with boyfriend Travis Scott. Self-conscious about her new curves, the 20-year-old is said to be flying under the radar to avoid being seen by fans.

“Kylie’s been eating non-stop and has gained a tremendous amount of weight,” the insider reveals. “She is not eating healthy either so it is not making her situation any better.”

According to the source, the Kylie Cosmetics founder’s daily diet consists of “a big breakfast, big lunch, big dinner and tons of snacks in between.”

“She gorges on food and blames it on being pregnant, but says that she is always hungry,” the informant spills. “Kylie hides her figure in oversized clothes because she does not want to deal with the sight.”

While Khloé Kardashian, who is also pregnant with her first child, is sticking to a diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, Kylie has been seen indulging in processed snacks like Pringles, Funyuns, Cheetos, Jolly Ranchers, Hostess Donettes, and Milk Duds. She’s also been known to start her day off with sugary breakfasts like cinnamon buns and waffles.

“Kylie does not want anyone to see her like this, including Travis,” the source adds.

Though packing on a few pounds is normal — and even considered healthy — during pregnancy, the expectant mother is very insecure of her body, according to the source.

“She thinks that she is morbidly obese right now,” the insider shares. “Although her family tells her that she needs to calm down, she cannot wait to get this baby out so that she can get back to the size she wants to be.”

In order to lose weight fast, Kylie is rumored to be turning to plastic surgery after giving birth. Before then, the source claims the lip kit queen is “planning on checking into a fat farm for six weeks” this winter.

“If that doesn’t work, she will resort to using a procedure like lipo or cool sculpting to shed the pounds,” the insider says.

‘RHONJ’ Star Teresa Giudice’s Cheating Scandal Revealed

Since the end of summer, it’s been rumored that Teresa Giudice has been seeing a secret lover. She vehemently denied the stories in the press and in her tell-all book Standing Strong. Teresa explained that although she is angry at Joe for making the decisions that landed both of them in prison and forced her to take time away from her family, she wanted to give him a chance to redeem himself when he got out.

She told “Us Weekly,” “When he gets home, we’ll see. He has to serve his time, come home and do amazing. And then I’ll answer that question. But I am giving him a chance. That’s why I’m standing by him.”

However, Teresa has been seen out and about with the same man over the past few months. This for sure makes it look like she’s ready to let Joe go.

Since July, Teresa has been seen spending time with 32-year-old real estate consultant Shane Wierks, a good friend of her brother Joe Gorga. The pair sat next to each other at a dinner party in July, then Shane stopped by Teresa’s book signing in October.

More recently, Shane and Teresa had dinner at STK Steakhouse in Manhattan in December. Then, the duo attended Jersey Shore star Snooki Polizzi’s 30th birthday party in December as well.

A source told All About the Tea that Teresa wasn’t hiding her affection for Shane. They claimed that Teresa was “all over” Shane until she saw people watching, then stopped.

“They left at the same time. They got into the same car. Shane drove, while Teresa and Melissa got in the backseat,” the unnamed insider spilled. “Shane is always at Teresa’s house. She doesn’t care anymore and is not hiding him.” Both Shane and Teresa attended Melissa and Joe’s Christmas eve party.

They may be so close to each other that she allowed Shane to travel internationally with her family. Teresa was posting tons of family and friend photos from Cancun from Tuesday, Jan. 2 to Thursday, Jan. 4. Interestingly, Shane posted a photo from Cancun on Thursday, Jan. 4 as well. They weren’t seen in any pictures together, however.

Kim DePaola has been matter-of-factly stating that Teresa is seeing Shane for months. She previously told “All About the Tea” all about her costar’s lover-of-the-moment.

“Shane’s a college graduate, owns a real estate consulting firm, and lives near the Gorga’s Jersey Shore house,” she shared. “He seems to have money, which Teresa likes. Producers saw Teresa constantly texting this guy, and asked me if I knew about it. I told them ‘of course I know about it.’”

Teresa hinted that she may legally separate from Joe soon enough, despite her insistence that she would stick with him. Teresa had dinner with divorce attorney Loren Laforge-Kyriakoulis on Jan. 7, just days after her trip abroad. Teresa posted a photo of themselves at the restaurant with the caption, “Dinner with a great friend getting great advice.” She later changed the caption to say, “Dinner with a great friend lots of laughs.””

Love the fresh dirt we bring over daily from Naughty Gossip? Let us know in the comments!

The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: Jan. 9

Alec Engber
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The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: Jan. 9

The big news last week, of course, was Attorney General Jeff Sessions rolling back protections for states that have legalized cannabis consumption. Despite the federal setback, states are continuing to move ahead with sensible marijuana laws. In Vermont, a bill to regulate recreational cannabis passed the House. And in Oklahoma, yes Oklahoma!, the governor announced that a medical marijuana referendum will be on the ballot in June. Read all about these developments and more in The Fresh Toast’s Marijuana Legislative Roundup for Jan. 9.

National:

On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo to all US Attorneys effectively rescinding the Justice Department’s hands-off policy toward state efforts to implement recreational cannabis legalization. In a 2013 memorandum, the Justice Department issued a set of guidelines for states seeking to implement marijuana legalization without fear of a federal crackdown. The federal enforcement priorities in the memo included: preventing distribution of marijuana to minors; preventing drugged driving and the exacerbation of other adverse public health consequences; preventing legal marijuana proceeds from going to criminal organizations; preventing state-legal cannabis sales from being used as a cover for illegal activity; preventing violence and the use of firearms associated with marijuana growth or distribution; preventing marijuana from being transported out of states where it is legal; preventing cannabis growth on public lands; and preventing marijuana possession or consumption on federal property.

In the memo issued last week, Sessions offers no specific instructions regarding federal marijuana enforcement, but instead allows US Attorneys to determine what federal resources should be devoted to marijuana enforcement based on their own assessment of priorities in their district. Sessions, who has long been an outspoken critic of marijuana legalization, wrote a series of letters to the governors of Washington, Oregon, and Alaska expressing grave concerns over each state’s ability to comply with the Cole Memo guidelines. This led to fears in states where cannabis is legal that a federal crackdown may be imminent.

Since the release of Sessions’ memo, several US Attorneys have announced that they would not be changing their enforcement policies in response. Officials in Massachusetts, where recreational sales are set to begin on July 1, also announced last week that they will move forward with implementation. It remains unclear what impact the new federal policy will have on state legalization efforts. However, the uncertainty it creates will provide further ammunition to critics of recreational cannabis and make it difficult for state-legal marijuana businesses to operate.

Vermont:

On Thursday, the Vermont House passed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. The bill would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis and grow up to six plants at home, with a limit of two mature plants and four immature seedlings per household. In June, an earlier version of the bill was passed by both houses of the Vermont Legislature and then vetoed by Governor Phil Scott, who outlined several public health and safety concerns that needed to be addressed before he would sign it. During a special legislative veto session, the Senate passed a revised version of the bill that addressed the governor’s concerns but the session ended before the House was able to do the same.

After the veto session ended, Scott announced his commitment to signing recreational cannabis legalization into law, and convened a panel to study state legalization efforts and make recommendations as to how Vermont should proceed. Some of these recommendations were incorporated into the version of the bill passed by the House on Thursday, which will likely be taken up by the Senate this week. If the legislation is enacted, as seems likely, Vermont will become the first state to legalize recreational marijuana by an act of the legislature, rather than a statewide ballot referendum.

Oklahoma:

On Thursday, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin announced that voters will decide on medical marijuana legalization in a ballot referendum on June 26. In 2016, supporters gathered enough signatures to place the proposal on the ballot but the date had not yet been announced. If approved, doctors would be able to recommend patients for a state-issued medical cannabis license. Licensed patients would be allowed to possess up to three ounces of marijuana, and grow up to six mature plants and six seedlings legally.

What Will Comic Books Look Like In 2018?

Joe Mortimer
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What Will Comic Books Look Like In 2018?

Brian Michael Bendis began his career at Marvel in 2000 as one of the chief architects of the Ultimate line of comics they were producing at the time. He helmed the Ultimate Spider-Man title with art by Mark Bagley. The two went on to create issues #1-111 together which is the record for longest continuous run on a Marvel Comic by two people.

Cover art via Marvel

Bendis would go on to create Alias and write for a host of Marvel books such as Avengers, X-Men, Daredevil and Guardians of the Galaxy. He also brought us momentous events including “House of M” and “Siege.” For many comic fans, Bendis defined the 21st century Marvel voice. Speculation arose that he was sure to fill Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief position, and on November 7th Brian Michael Bendis’ name trended on Twitter. He had put those speculations to rest, except it wasn’t exactly what people had expected.

Instead, Bendis had changed teams. He revealed that he had an exclusive contract with DC. This was huge news and I for one can’t wait to see what Bendis does while playing in a whole new toy box.

Days after the announcement that Bendis was leaving, Marvel announced their new Editor-in-Chief would be C.B. Cebulski. This news didn’t come without its scandals as Cebulski was outed days later for writing under the guise of a Japan native named Akira Yoshida. He even created a backstory for the fabricated writer who got gigs from Dreamwave, Dark Horse and later Marvel in the early 2000’s. Cultural appropriation aside, it seems pretty harmless, but Marvel did have rules in place that prevented editors from writing or drawing comics.

So lies begat more lies. He lied to his employers, readers, and the press, but after coming forward Marvel has forgiven Cebulski, who said at the time that he was thinking of leaving Marvel and wanted to start a foundation as a writer and the legend snowballed from there. The wildest part (to me at least) is that editors and Marvel staff who had “met” Akira, had actually met a Japanese translator who visited their offices. One editor even took him out to lunch having mistaken this guy to be the hot shot writer from Japan.

But 2017 was also a year for justice! While their current batch of “Rebirth” comics has been at the top of the sales charts, the powers that be at DC Entertainment have also corrected a wrong that plagued their offices for far too long. Eddie Berganza had previously worked for DC as a writer and editor who worked on many top titles like Superman, Batman and multiple event titles. Throughout his tenure he was also followed by a series of sexual harassment allegations that led to him being demoted from his position of Executive Editor to Group Editor in 2012.

Later in 2016, fans were outraged after a restructuring at DC released the then-Vertigo Executive Editor Shelly Bond. Shelly was beloved in the industry by creators and fans alike and was let go, while Berganza had somehow survived yet another restructuring.

But as the reckoning of sexual harassment scandals in the entertainment industry hit their stride in 2017, Berganza couldn’t escape another year. He was suspended on November 11 and fired two days later. Berganza is joined by a list of executives and celebrities who were brought down for years of sexual misconduct and harassment that had destroyed the lives and careers of multiple brave women and men. These people have come forth and paved a foundation that will create a safer workplace for everyone.

So big changes have gone on behind the scenes at the Big Two, but I think they are all for the best. C.B. Cebulski will hopefully lead Marvel into new directions and Bendis will hopefully revitalize DC like he did Marvel. In 2018 the world of comics is looking brighter than ever!

9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Drink Too Much Coffee

Amy Hansen
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9 Things That Happen To Your Body When You Drink Too Much Coffee

Here’s some news that will wake up anyone who can’t live without their morning coffee. While that liquid gold first thing in the morning is often the only reason some people get out of bed, too much of a good thing can be quite bad.

Here are 9 things that can happen to your body if you go overboard with your coffee drinking:

1. It’s Addictive

Some people don’t actually mind having to drink coffee all day ever day once their body becomes dependent on it. As any addict knows, the more you consume caffeine, the more you’ll need to capture the same “awake” effects.

https://giphy.com/gifs/coffee-gif-i-seached-teh-need-tag-and-easybeinggreene-came-up-eWLDhSJ206rUQ

2. Multiple Cups A Day Is Bad For Your Heart

More than four cups per day might increase risk of heart disease and heart failure, according to Business Insider.

3. It Can Make You Moody

Irritability and anxiety are the most common traits due to the fact that caffeine causes shallow breathing, which in turn has the ability to limit oxygen flow to the brain (i.e. you won’t make good decisions). And according to Forbes, “coming off caffeine reduces your cognitive performance and has a negative impact on your mood.” That’s also the reason it’s addictive.

According to John Hopkins researchers, “The only way to get back to normal is to drink caffeine, and when you do drink it, you feel like it’s taking you to new heights. In reality, the caffeine is just taking your performance back to normal for a short period.”

4. It’ll Mess With Your Sleep

You might find you have trouble sleeping since caffeine can stay in your body for as long as 14 hours. The Mayo Clinic also says it may increase the amount of times you wake up during the night, and decrease the amount of good sleep you get. Experts advise taking your last sip of coffee no later than noon.

5. It Can Give You The Jitters

Caffeine speeds up your central nervous system making you feel jumpy.

https://giphy.com/gifs/oZEBLugoTthxS

6. It Can Make You Anxious

So much so, the National Institute of Mental Health recommends that people who have anxiety avoid caffeine all together because it can trigger your fight or flight response, not to mention, deplete you of proper sleep.

7. It Can Lead To Withdrawal

Weaning your body off of caffeine is no walk in the park. If you’re drinking too much and want to stop, you might experience a bunch of symptoms ranging from headaches, depression and, ironically, fatigue. Instead, slowly decrease your coffee intake and try swapping your daily Joe with fresh juice, decaf tea or sparkling water.

https://giphy.com/gifs/coffee-monday-3D1v8iexqiPbq

8. It Can Damage Your Liver

According to Business Insider, while moderate amounts of coffee can actually help your liver detoxify your body, too much can hinder its functionality. And if you’re taking lots of medication, it’s especially dangerous.

9. It Can Be A drag For Your Bladder, Too

University of Alabama researchers found that coffee exacerbated existing bladder problems in some men and women.

If you ever do drink so much coffee you start feeling sick, here’s what to do, according to Women’s Health.

First, drink water. It will help hydrate you and help keep your heart rate down. Second, eat a banana or something else with lots of potassium. Overdosing on caffeine can deplete your magnesium and potassium levels, so it’s best to ward off the unwanted symptoms of coffee before they get out of hand. If you find yourself struggling to breathe, having chest pains, elevated heart rate or anything else that seems more serious than just a caffeine crash, call your doctor.

Love To Swear? 4 Things We Already Know About You

Amy Hansen
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Love To Swear? 4 Things We Already Know About You

Swearing may sound a little classless at times and some even believe it’s a sign of lower intelligence, but that’s just not true. Finding a polite way to say things certainly has its place, but letting it all hang out has its advantages. If you like to swear a lot, don’t be embarrassed. Here are 5 advantages of having a sailor’s vocabulary.

1. You Have A High IQ

Studies have shown that a person’s IQ and breadth of vocabulary is positively correlated with their swearing capability. “In other words,” says Benjamin K. Bergen, Professor of cognitive sciences at UC San Diego and author of  What the F: What Swearing Reveals About Our Language, Our Brains and Ourselves, “the more they can swear, the higher their verbal and general IQ appears to be.”

https://giphy.com/gifs/mic-swearing-cursing-curse-words-gXiyq2FNRFnPy

2. You’re More Sincere 

A study by several universities found a consistent positive relationship between profanity and honesty: “profanity was associated with less lying and deception at the individual level, and with higher integrity at the society level,” the research concluded.

The paper goes on to say that profanity can be positively associated with honesty: “It is often used to express one’s unfiltered feelings (e.g., anger, frustration) and sincerity. Innocent suspects, for example, are more likely to use swear words than guilty suspects when denying accusations (Inbau, Reid, Buckley, & Jayne, 2011). Accordingly, people perceive testimonies containing swear words as more credible.”

https://giphy.com/gifs/kimmyschmidt-l0Iy2ew6PrN6g82Os

3.  You’re Strong 

New research finds swearing can make you stronger physically by improving muscle strength and stamina.

Keele University psychologists conducted two experiments. In the first, participants completed a single short, intense period on an exercise bike – after both swearing and not swearing. In the second, 52 participants completed an isometric handgrip test, again after both swearing and not swearing.

Results showed that participants produced more power if they had sworn in the first experiment and a stronger handgrip if they had sworn in the second experiment. The study’s lead author, Dr. Richard Stephens, says swearing makes people more able to tolerate pain.

A possible reason for this is that it stimulates the body’s sympathetic nervous system – that’s the system that makes your heart pound when you are in danger. If that is the reason, we would expect swearing to make people stronger too – and that is just what we found in these experiments.

4. You’re Resilient 

Dr. Stephens and his fellow researchers also found that cursing is an emotional release, thus, helping us feel more resilient in times of need.

In one study, participants were asked to play video games that were aggressive in nature. Stephens told The Daily Mail that the video games made people feel more aggressive so their language became more emotional and they swore. “We want to use more taboo words when we are emotional. We grow up learning what these words are and using these words while we are emotional can help us to feel stronger. Some words are more taboo than others – but the effects can be greater, the stronger the word,” stated Stephens.

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