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Georgia and Marijuana

 

Georgia has been a focus of the news lately. It seems all the media organizations and both political parties are talking about the Peach state non-stop.  And if there is a publicized trial, there will be even more focus on the state.  But what about Georgia and marijuana?

The state of Georgia has seen some small changes in cannabis laws in recent years, although it still has strict regulations in place. This despite more than two in three Americans (68%) supporting legalizing marijuana.  Only 10% of the country thinks it should be fully illegal. According to an Atlanta Journal Constitution poll in 2020, at least 53% of state residents believe cannabis should be fully legal, and the number increases for medical marijuana.

On his last campaign website for Governor, Kemp said he is not “in the camp of being pro-recreational marijuana.” His stance is a barrier to the public will.

Photo by Chelsea Gates via Unsplash

In April 2015, low-THC cannabis oil (rich in cannabidiol, or CBD) was legalized for medical use in the state under HB 1, the Haleigh’s Hope Act. Since then, Georgia has medical cannabis but you must be diagnosed with one of the following conditions to receive a Medical Marijuana (Low THC Oil) Card:

  • Cancer, when such diagnosis is end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage
  • Seizure disorders related to diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma related head injuries
  • Multiple sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage

In 2019, Governor Brian Kemp signed a law allowing a limited number of private companies to manufacture cannabis in Georgia. The law, known as the Georgia’s Hope Act, permits the use of low THC products for medical purposes. Under this law, only six producers are allowed to cultivate marijuana

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

Georgia voters have sent a marijuana message to state lawmakers, approving a ballot measure on Tuesday that expresses their support for adult-use cannabis legalization. State Democratic party leadership placed nine non-binding advisory questions on the primary election ballot to help inform the legislature on where Georgians stand on various issues, including legalization.

RELATED: Science Tells Us Exactly How Marijuana Makes Us Feel Happy

Several bills were considered in 2023 to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis for adults, but none of them were able to pass through the legislative process. 

Currently, possession of one ounce or less of cannabis in Georgia carries a maximum penalty of up to one year of imprisonment. More than 40,000 Georgians are arrested each year for marijuana possession

Georgia and marijuana

Hopefully the national and global attention placed on the Peach state will encourage a rethinking of Georgia and marijuana laws. And as they are the center of news, maybe there will be a reassestment about Georgia and marijuana since they are going to need to chill!

Tips To Develop A Better Morning Routine

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Setting ourselves up for a productive day can be a difficult habit to crack. Here are some tricks that can help.

Routines are key for successful mornings. While sometimes difficult to establish and easy to break, routines can help you create the time to do the things that you want to do and feel productive. When this is done in the mornings, it’s especially effective, since mornings tend to dictate the pace for the rest of the day.

While saying that you’re going to get up early and go for a run every morning is very easy, maintaining routines is tough. It demands consistency and not giving up. In order to establish a routine, it’s important to be patient with yourself and to set realistic and manageable goals. Here are 5 tips to help you develop a better morning routine:

Make natural light your friend

You Should Wait This Long Before Drinking Your Morning Coffee
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

Natural light feels great and helps you wake up. The sun dictates your inner clock, which is why we get sleepy during the nighttime and more energized when the sun is on us. While your windows are a great tool, if you have the time, a morning stroll is a really good way of starting the day, reinvigorating your mood.

Wash your face

How To Prevent And Treat Blackheads, Including CBD
Photo by Vitória Santos via Pexels

RELATED: This Common Habit Could Increase Your Risk Of Heart Disease

Morning showers are great because they wake you up. Washing your face does a similar thing, waking you up and clearing the gunk out of your eyes. If you incorporate this into a larger routine, like washing your face after you brush your teeth and then applying some moisturizer or sunscreen, your habit will become stronger and easier to remember.

Have a good breakfast

Medical Cannabis Combats Anorexia's Obsessive Thoughts
Photo by Brodie Vissers via Burst

Breakfast has a lot of lovers and haters, but if you’re a person who tends to have a bad time in the mornings, eating something nutritious can be a solution to your problems. Breakfast is not only filling, it’s important for your energy, which is super necessary in the mornings. Choosing foods that are rich in protein like yogurt or eggs, and pairing them with veggies and whole grains will leave you energized and craving for healthy and filling meals for the remainder of your day.

Move

A Stretch Routine Might Be Just What You Need Right Now
Photo by Scott Broome via Unsplash

RELATED: 5 Things That Can Make Spending Time Alone Joyful

Moving is very important in the mornings. This doesn’t mean that you have to go out for a run, although that is a great thing to do in the mornings. Moving can simply mean making your bed, doing some chores like the dishes or folding clothes. Any type of movement will help you feel awake and more productive, which is a great mood to have first thing in the day.

Do something you love

5 Online Bookclubs To Join Now That You're Spending More Time At Home
Photo by Thought Catalog from Pexels

Make the time in your mornings to do something you love, like playing a video game, listening to a podcast, reading a book, or listening to music. While you’ll likely have to wake up a little earlier than usual, doing something early on that you love will help you have a better mood and outlook on your day.

Why Religious People Are Less Likely To Use Marijuana

It’s not just cannabis — religious people are generally opposed to alternative medicine compared to those who self-identify as being “spiritual.”

The importance of religion in the lives of Americans is on the decline. For people who do still attend religious services, they say they’re optimistic about the future of their house of worship. A new report from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) give insight into the thinking of faith based citizens.  Today, just 16% of Americans surveyed said religion is the most important thing in their lives down from 20% a decade ago.  What is interesting, is religious people are less likely to use marijuana. According to a report published in Journal of Drug Issues, those living a religious life “tend to exhibit lower rates of medical and recreational marijuana use.”

The researchers found:

“The authority perspective suggests that religious involvement may also deter substance use by encouraging a general deference to authority, conformity to societal norms, and adherence to laws. Numerous biblical passages counsel adherents to submit to various ‘authorities’ and ‘ordinances’ (e.g., Hebrews 13:17; Peter 2:13-14; Romans 13:1-7). For instance, Romans (13:1-2) advises: ‘Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.’
“Those who are active within religious institutions may favor conformity through fear of divine retribution, internalized moral codes, guilt avoidance, and the social context of obedient peer networks. If religious individualsare more deferential to authority than others, they may be more likely to obey laws prohibiting illicit substance use and the use of prescription drugs in the medically prescribed manner.”
Study: Religious People Are Less Likely To Use Marijuana
Photo by Christoph Schmid via Unsplash

The study reveals it’s not just cannabis — religious people are generally opposed to alternative medicine compared to those who self-identify as being “spiritual.” One theory suggests religious individuals may disapprove of certain medical technologies in part because they see potential value in suffering, as compared to nonreligious individuals, which tend to view suffering as something to stop as quickly as possible.

RELATED: Cannabis And Churchgoers Don’t Mix Well, Study Shows

Of course, this is not the first study to find religiosity and marijuana don’t mix. A 2016 study found people who believe the Bible is God’s word were 58% less likely to also support marijuana legalization. Study author Daniel Krystosek, a graduate student in sociology at the University of Nevada, pooled together the data of three national surveys from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago conducted in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

In 2018, a Pew Research Poll found only 38% of white evangelical Christians support marijuana legalization. Eight out of 10 Americans who do not affiliate with an organized religion support cannabis reform.

The one exception is Rastafarian.

Is Air Conditioning Making You Sick?

Now that summer is on full blast, it’s time to crank up our ACs. Americans love their air conditioning, with 90% of them having a unit installed in their home — a figure much larger than people who live in other countries. But is air conditioning making you sick while giving you the comfort of a cool temperature?

Despite most people’s love for their units, there’s a pervasive belief that makes us think that AC is an agent that aids in the spread of disease and germs. If you work in an air-conditioned building with poor ventilation, it can raise your risk of “sick building syndrome.” Symptoms include headaches, dry cough, dizziness and nausea, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odors.

RELATED: 5 Things You Should Do Before The Summer Heat Kicks In

A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology says that people who work in office buildings with air conditioning are more likely to get sick when compared to people who spend most of their time in offices that have natural ventilation. The study says that people who belong in the first group are more likely to have sick building syndrome (SBS) “symptoms mostly of eye, nose or throat irritation and respiratory symptoms such as cough.”

Air conditioning make you sick
Photo by Dan LeFebvre via Unsplash

Is air conditioning bad for our health? The Huffington Post reports that, as long as the unit is well tended, there shouldn’t be any health issues.

“AC systems are susceptible to collect infectious organisms and allergens, such as dust mites,” says pulmonologist Dr. Wassim Labaki. “The proper maintenance of these systems, including regular filter change, is essential to prevent circulation of unhealthy air.”

Among the benefits of using AC is the fact that temperature can be maintained evenly, something that has a positively linked with productivity. A well tended machine can also help prevent allergies and filter out pollutants.

RELATED: How To Avoid Throwing The Wrong Stuff In Your Recycling Bin

AC, as long as it’s cared for and not overdone, isn’t bad for you. The dangers of these devices lie more in the effect they have on the environment and the fact that they’re used by large amounts of people. A staggering 10% of worldwide electricity consumption is used for AC units. If this is a concern for you, fans, roofs, windows and the intelligent use of shading can help you create a space that’s comfortable, cool and that won’t affect the environment on such a large scale.

Hacks For Perfect Travel Makeup

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Let’s be honest. The worst things about traveling are the packing, unpacking, fight delays, uncomfortable seats, breakups, exhaustion, sun poisoning, and those nasty sunburns. For now we will concentrate on how to make your makeup packing life easier. In my life as a celebrity makeup artist, my clients are always on the go. Here are some easy hacks for perfect travel makeup.

Create a “Do not pack” list.

It might sound weird, but it works. What you pack and what you use many times are two different things. The situation can get out easily out of control, when you only needed 5 products, but you packed 17 “just in case”. TIP: Make a list of the products that you never used on your last couple of trips and don’t pack them again.

Hacks For Perfect Travel Makeup
Photo by rawpixel.com

Pack like you don’t mean it.

Don’t take makeup packing too seriously. Be conscious of your FOMOM: Fear of Missing Out Makeup. The only great thing that came from years of overpacking is that suitcases now have 4 wheels.

RELATED: 5 Genius Tricks For Beating Jet Lag

Take less, use more.

Most products can be used for more than just one purpose. Your lip balm can be used as a highlighter and your mascara as a liquid liner with a small brush. Your lipstick can be use as a blush and your blush as an eyeshadow. Lastly, any spray toner can be used as a setting spray, while all bronzers can be used as setting powders.

Get travel sizes products.

Buy travel edition makeup kits; they have a bit of everything in them. Don’t buy too many though, as it will look like you shrunk your whole life into a plastic zip lock bag. Although no one likes a quitter, no one will complain if you quit overpacking.

RELATED: The Scary Reason You Want To Avoid A Window Seat On Your Next Flight

Have a bag to go.

Always have a makeup bag ready and packed. This will make your life easier and your man happier. Remember, “you don’t have to get ready, if you stay ready.”

Hope you enjoyed our easy hacks for perfect travel makeup never ever forget “A smile is the best makeup.”

How Long Will You Be High

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Getting high is an unpredictable art. Here is how to know how long the high will last depending on your method of consuming marijuana.

A question and fear of many canna-curious and canna-newsbies is how long will you be high. Even experienced cannabis consumers have been surprised as it is not an exact science. The good news is that while your buzz might be freaking you out a little at this very moment, chances are you are going to pull out of the experience unscathed. But maybe the possibility of dropping dead is not your biggest concern. Maybe you’re supposed to pick the kids up from school, go to work, or take care of any other responsibility where a sober brain is better.

Well, never fear, we’ve got you. The length of a high really all comes down to how much marijuana was consumed, in what form and personal tolerance. The following information should help you establish some sort of timeline for when you can expect to be straight again.

Smoking

Marijuana Really Helps You Poop, According to Science
Photo by OlegMalyshev/Getty Images

RELATED: Understanding The Timeline Of A Marijuana High

Smoking is still the most frequent form consumption method. The effects hit almost instantaneously, and they can last anywhere from one to three hours depending on the strength of the herb. So don’t worry, you still have plenty of time to sober up before fulfilling any of those pesky responsibilities you might have in the afternoon. But in the interest of full disclosure, you’re probably still going to feel a bit off for the rest of the day. Coming down from a high can make a person feel tired and just less motivated than usual.

Vaping

the benefits and potential downsides of vaping according to research
Photo by HighGradeRoots/Getty Images

Coming in as the second most . It makes sense, too. They are more convenient than rolling a joint or packing a bowl and they are easy to hit clandestinely in almost any situation. But the THC extracts that are used in these little devils can sometimes pack a punch. Still, it’s not typical for the buzz that comes from a vape to last too much longer than smoking. In many cases, people who use vapes do not suck in as much THC as they might when using flower. So it is well within reason for a person to expect a more sober mind within a few hours of use. It is conceivable, too, that the high from a vape pen may start to fade sooner than later.

Dabs

Marijuana 101: Dabbing Wax Vs. Vaping Wax
Photo by Jason W Lacey/Getty Images

This thing called dabs (shatter, wax, budder) is a different beast altogether, being described by some as smoking an entire joint in a single hit. These concentrated products are arguably one of the quickest ways out there to get super stoned. But while experienced dab stars can use them without issue, newbies have been known to struggle a bit. The high that comes from a dab can last anywhere from a few to several hours. If you are struggling to read this paragraph, you might be in for the day.

Edibles and Beverages

No One Understands How High Edibles Will Make Them
Photo by NordWood Themes via Unsplash

Edibles are great for the cannabis user who doesn’t like to smoke. In fact, gummies are the most popular way for people to consume.  Edibles can be tricky to use with regard to dosage. Purchased at a dispensary, these products come labeled with what is considered a reasonable dose—the standard is 10mg of THC. But if a person was handed a homemade brownie edible from a friend at an event, the THC content is anyone’s guess.

RELATED: 3 Popular Ways To Consume Marijuana Flower

For the sake of argument, however, let’s say the dosage is known. You took a 30mg edible in the morning and were hoping to be straight as an arrow in a few hours. Well, that’s probably not going to happen. At least not for the most part. It takes edibles up to an hour to kick in, and the buzz seems to linger around a lot longer than it does from smoking.

In fact, it is not unheard of for even a semi-modest dose of an edible product to last anywhere between 8 to 12 hours. Larger doses can make a person feel like they may never experience sobriety again. It is also worth mentioning that cannabis-infused beverages hit harder than traditional edibles. The product may only claim to have 10 mg THC, but fair warning: it’s going to feel a lot stronger.

Hopefully this give you a bit more clarity with the question how long will you be high.

Mosquitos and Marijuana

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Summer is in full swing and some people are figuring out how to combat a pesky bug. About 20 percent of the population sees an above-average incidence of mosquito bites. Been bitten is generally not life threatening, but highly annoying and the more bites, the worse the next few days.  Smoke is a deterrent against them, but what about mosquitos and marijuana? And what about those itchy bites?

Not everyone is a mosquito target. Only the females bite humans so they can use blood to produce their eggs. To help locate their prey, females use their antennae and palps, the organs between their antennae, to detect carbon dioxide and odor. That means people who have a high metabolic rate and emit more carbon dioxide tend to be a draw. This includes those who are pregnant, working out, or drinking alcohol. Perfumes and colognes are filled with the stuff mosquitoes love, and their acute sense of smell locks in on anyone wearing it, especially if it is a floral scent. It really drives them wild when you’re trying to mask B.O. (something mosquitoes like) with perfume or cologne (something mosquitoes love). Both types of smells will attract the pests to you, and perfume can actually make that draw worse.

More research has to be done regarding them being attracted to a certain blood type.

mosquitos and marijuana

Smoke is a good bug repellent; the strong, distinct odor is unpleasant and uncomfortable for bugs including mosquitoes, so they will try and avoid both the smell and the heat. Whether it is smoke from a citronella candle, firepit or mosquito coil.

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

There is anecdotal evidence that smoke is an effective insect repellent, and the practice of ‘smoking’ rooms to prevent the nuisance of biting mosquitoes is widespread.  Mosquitoes have an issue with nicotine and tobacco and cigarette butts are a bit turn off for them.  But who wants to keep full ashtrays around?

Cannabis is one of the few plants that repel mosquitoes when they’re growing fresh in the ground. But like tobacco smoke, there isn’t enough evidence regarding them turning off flying pests. And insects don’t have an endogenous cannabinoid receptors, so they don’t even enjoy being around the smoke.

RELATED: Science Tells Us Exactly How Marijuana Makes Us Feel Happy

The itching from a bite occurs due to an inflammation which is caused intentionally by our immune systems. When we are bitten by a mosquito an inflammation occurs in our bodies which appears as red, swollen, and itchy skin. Cannabinoids have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and are therefore effective in reducing, or stopping, the itching which occurs after a mosquito bite. So a good topical can help take the string out and hopefully let you have a pleasant time and a good sleep rather than scratching.

Photo by 41330 via Pixabay

Now you know about marijuana and mosquitos, and may you have a bite free rest of the summer.

Is An Allergic Reaction From CBD Possible?

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As more people try CBD and more workers are employed at farms and processing facilities, some people might discover they are allergic.  

Is an allergic reaction from CBD possible? CBD hemp allergies are rare, but not impossible. While it may seem counterintuitive, it is entirely possible to be allergic to hemp. Being allergic to a plant with natural anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties is kind of a paradox, and likely one of the most unfortunate allergies to have.  

This article zooms in on the topic of hemp allergies to help you understand if you might be allergic to CBD. Youll learn what to do if you think youre allergic to hemp and how to determine if you have a CBD allergy. 

Is It Possible To Be Allergic To CBD? 

According to a study from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology – 73% of the 50 million people who are allergic to pollen also react to cannabis [hemp]”. 

In some cases, exposure to hemp flower pollen triggered symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which causes congestions, sneezing, and runny nose. Others, however, present more serious allergic reactions to hemp pollen, and just touching the plant causes hives, itching, and inflammation of the eyes.  

Researchers think that the majority of people allergic to CBD hemp or cannabis are allergic to a specific type of protein in the plant called Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP). About 80% of those with hemp allergies are found to be allergic to LTP.  

RELATED: Can CBD Treat Anxiety And Depression?

How Do You Know If You Have CBD Allergies? 

CBD Hemp allergies present themselves similarly to other types of allergic reactions. If you have certain food allergies from the list below, you may be potentially allergic to hemp: 

  • Tomatoes
  • Nuts 
  • Peaches 
  • Cabbage and lettuce 
  • Berry 
  • Apples 
  • Grapes  

To officially determine if you have hemp or CBD allergy, you would need to make an allergy test, just as you would with any other allergen. This is where a diluted amount of an allergen is pricked into the skin.  

The reaction to the allergen in terms of swelling, inflammation, and itching reveals the level to which one is allergic to the particular substance.  

This Is What Happens When You're Allergic To Marijuana
Photo by Mojpe via Pixabay

Symptoms of CBD Hemp Allergy  

The most common experience of hemp allergies comes from the smoke and pollen being inhaled directly or indirectly. The resulting allergic reaction may induce sneezing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or even asthma 

RELATED: 5 Pro-Tips To Come Down From A Marijuana High Quickly

Skin allergic reactions can also occur when hemp leaves and flowers come into direct contact with the skin. This can cause inflammation, redness, swelling, and itchiness on the skin and eyes. Consuming hemp seeds and other cannabis products such as CBD oil may also trigger allergies as well as shortness of breath and potentially asthma.  

Some have varying levels of intolerance to ingesting CBD hemp oil and may experience symptoms such as slight headaches or diarrhea. However, these symptoms are not necessarily considered allergic reactions, but rather intolerances to the substance, such as with dairy or gluten.  

Individuals may exhibit allergic symptomonly affecting the respiration or only affecting the skin, or they may experience the reaction everywhere. If you ever notice allergy symptoms after taking CBD hemp oil or hemp flower, you should stop taking it immediately and consult medical attention 

Managing Hemp Allergies 

Overall, the vast majority of people wont need to worry about being allergic to hemp or cannabis. However, as more people try CBD and more workers are employed at farms and processing facilities, more people will discover they are allergic to this plant to some extent.  

Researchers Trained Seals To Sing Star Wars Theme

According to research from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, seals are capable of learning and imitating songs. For your information, this is someone’s job, which has goals. Wild seals are highly intelligent, curious and have good coordination, learning tricks easily in captivity. They give great insight into learning and the animal world. Because of this, researchers trained seals to sing the Star Wars theme. Of course!

The study, published in the journal Current Biology, monitored three grey seals, which were observed from birth and were taught how to mimic sounds. Some of these seals grew to be so good at imitating that they were capable of replicating human sounds. Zola, the most talented seal of the bunch, was able to aptly mimic melodies like ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and the ‘Star Wars’ Theme.

RELATED: Sharks Can Differentiate Between Different Types Of Music

“I was amazed how well the seals copied the model sounds we played to them. Copies were not perfect but given that these are not typical seal sounds it is pretty impressive,” said lead researcher Amanda Stansbury in an interview with BBC. “Our study really demonstrates how flexible seal vocalizations are. Previous studies just provided anecdotal evidence for this.”

Studies conducted on these type of mammals are looking to understand how vocal learning works. “Finding other mammals that use their vocal tract in the same way as us to modify sounds informs us on how vocal skills are influenced by genetics and learning and can ultimately help to develop new methods to study speech disorders,” said Professor Vincent Janik.

RELATED: Study Shows The Paw-sitive Effects Of Watching Cat Videos

Janik explained that while the study is exciting, it’s impossible to tell from it if mammals could ever learn how to speak like humans. “We would have to investigate whether they are able to label objects vocally, which is a key requirement for actually talking about things.” So, while seals may soon learn how to sing Beyoncé, we would have no way of knowing if they understand the lyrics, which is ultimately the basis of human communication.

Not sure if you can get the trained seals to sing the Star Wars theme at parties yet.

Is Sugar Really Worse For Your Brain Than Marijuana

Last year wasn’t only a bad one in terms of our collective mental health, it was also a bad year for healthful eating. According to the US Department of Agriculture, Americans consumed 11 million tons of sugar, with most of that coming from sports drinks, juice and soda.  With the mainstreaming of cannabis, you would think alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes would be much worse than sweet things.  But is sugar really worse for your brain than marijuana?

A recent poll of 1,000 people conducted by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News shows that Americans think sugar is more harmful than marijuana.

 

When asked, “Which of the following substances is the most harmful to a person’s overall health?” 49% answered, “Tobacco,” 24% said, “Alcohol,” 15% said, “Sugar,” and only 8% answered, “Marijuana.” Another 3% said that “All” were equally harmful and 1% said, “Not sure.”

sugar
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash

Research from the University of Boston claims that consuming sugar in large quantities can damage the brain and its functioning. These recent statistics show some scary results where people who consume the most sugar have poorer memory, smaller brain volume and a smaller hippocampus – the area of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Sugar isn’t the only problem scientists discovered; they also found that people who drank diet sodas were at a much higher risk of developing a stroke or dementia. They were quick to point out that these findings don’t imply cause and effect, simply a correlation, which is a fancy way of saying that at the moment, diet soda can’t be blamed for these symptoms and diseases.

Historically, consuming large amounts of sugar has been linked with a plethora of health problems, including metabolic and cardiovascular diseases like obesity, heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Sugar’s effects on the brain are arecent discovery that add another warning bell to the ingredient. Maybe we should all start drinking more water?

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