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A New Way to Quit Smoking?

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quit-smoking

Forget pesky patches and bad-tasting gum. The most popular way to kick your cigarette habit for good is electronic cigarettes. Also known as E-cigarettes, they use an electronic inhaler containing nicotine that enables the user to mimic the act of smoking a real cigarette.

While advocates argue that e-cigarettes are healthier than real ones, the Food and Drug Administration, along with other global health organizations, remain doubtful.

More than 45 million people in the United States smoke, and an estimated half of these people try to nip the habit in the bud each year. More and more are turning to electronic cigarettes for help. [Read more…]

What You Need to Know About Endorphins

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Endogenous morphine or endorphins as we know it are peptides that work as neurotransmitters. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus whenever we exercise, eat spicy food, feel –pain, excitement, love and orgasm. It can ease pain or make an individual feel good by giving off a feeling which is similar to taking narcotics or analgesics.

Unlike other drugs or medications, it provides a natural high which is not addictive. It was discovered in the 1970’s when a group of scientists were studying drug addiction. They found out that the nervous system and the pituitary gland had the ability to deliver a feeling which is much stronger than what manmade narcotics or analgesics provide. Stress and pain are the most common endorphin triggers, but it has been found out that exercise, certain food and sex hormones can stimulate the secretion as well Furthermore it improves the functions of the immune system.

As of now, it is established that the release of endorphins vary depending on the individual and stimuli. Researchers and doctors suggest that people should make use of other food and pleasurable activities which can develop a better sense of well-being. Laughing, listening to music, sex, acupuncture and eating chili peppers or chocolates are some examples which can be considered.

So if you are feeling down, depressed or stressed, you may choose any one of these activities in order to feel better. Treating yourself to a bar of delectable chocolates is a yummier alternative.

 

Image from lululemon athletica

Wear Jeans, Save Your Life

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downloadHow is this possible? According to a recently concluded study, denims just might help save your life in case you get bitten by a rattlesnake. Dr. Shelton S. Herbert and Dr. William K. Hayes from Loma Linda University in California did research on the effect of denim on rattlesnake bites. What they did was to use latex gloves in lieu of human legs (or arms). The gloves were filled with saline solution. They then covered some parts with denim.

The results were quite interesting. The parts that were covered with denim received less of the rattlesnake venom. In case you’re wondering just how much less, they received as much as two thirds less venom than those which were not protected with denim!

The implications are exciting, to say the least. If you decide to go out into the desert – or wherever there may be rattlesnakes lurking around – then you should throw away your nice shorts and put on some nice comfy denims instead. I can think of other reasons why denims are better – they will protect you from the sun and they will protect you from getting your legs scratched! Of course, in case you do get bitten by a rattlesnake or two, your jeans will absorb most of the venom and perhaps save your life.

Of course, the smarter course of action would be to avoid getting bitten by a rattlesnake, but if that cannot be avoided for some reason, then the jeans will be there to help out, even if just a little bit.

President Obama Still “Sneaks” A Smoke Or Two

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11So who cares, right? I mean, despite the fact that he is the leader of the arguably greatest nation on Earth, he still is a private individual to a certain extent. Yes, he has made the lives of tobacco and cigarette companies hell lately, but he admits to smoking every now and then.

Barack Obama has never made it a secret that he is struggling with his smoking habit. Perhaps just like very other smoker who has been wanting to quit, the president is finding it quite hard to totally kick the habit. He says that he is about 95% cured but he finds himself slipping a lot. He goes on to say, however, that he does not do it in front of the children – just like many smoker parents that I know.

So why is this significant? I don’t think it is really – except for the President perhaps. He wants to quit smoking but is finding it hard – big deal! Of course, critics are quick to point fingers and highlight the fact that he is putting a lot of pressure on the tobacco industry while at the same time, patronizing their goods.

What does the President have to say about this?

“Once you go down this path it’s something you continually struggle with, which is precisely why the legislation we signed is so important because what we don’t want is kids going down that path in the first place.”

Yeah, I have to agree with him a hundred percent on this one. And yes, I am trying to kick the habit myself.

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