We all know that pharmaceutical painkillers are much stronger than nearly anything you can find in nature. There’s no comparing cannabis, cloves, or magic mushrooms to powerful drugs like fentanyl and isotonitazene. So why are a growing number of people turning away from opioids in favor of milder treatment options? Aside from obvious safety issues with the former, the answer to that lies in part in how we, as a society, view pain in the first place.
Is pain something that should be immediately and completely masked, or are there some healing components to allowing our bodies to feel discomfort? Is our culture of hiding from anything that feels bad, keeping us in a perpetual state of illness?
Pain defined throughout history
Pain is not a condition in and of itself, but rather a symptom of many other diseases or disorders, indicating something is wrong with our bodies. Pain is incredibly complex and can vary significantly between people, even those who share similar illnesses or injuries. Pain can also range in severity, as well as in the way it’s felt. Some variations of pain can include pricking, tingling, stinging, burning, soreness, aching, and many other unpleasant sensations.
The entire spectrum of pain consists of hundreds of different types of disorders and syndromes. For instance, you can experience pain following an injury, or chronic pain related to aging. Pain can also be neurological, like migraines. Heart attacks, cancer, and childbirth all cause different forms of pain. When it comes to clinical diagnoses, healthcare providers typically group pain into one of two categories: acute or chronic. Acute pain comes on suddenly and intensely, and is usually the result of a traumatic injury or surgery.
Chronic pain persists over a longer period of time, and can be difficult to manage. Chronic pain affects very 50 million American adults, and it’s one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. Although some medical professionals consider chronic pain to be its own medical disease, there is always an underlying cause.
Again, pain is our natural warning sign that something is not right. The purpose of feeling pain is to change our course of actions – be it limiting certain activities, eating different foods, doing certain exercises, and so on. It’s remarkably specific in letting us know what activities will further aggravate an area, and in preventing us from doing said activities.
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What the research says
Pain is something that has long-confused physicians, so in an effort to better understand it, they started tracking their patients’ discomfort at all times. For a while, pain was even referred to as “the fifth vital sign”, officially declared so in 1999, but the move was met with great controversy and continues to be a point of contention in the healthcare industry to this day.
Regardless, the goal was for doctors to take more cognizance of pain because it can be an important factor in determining the overall health and mental state of a patient. The problem was that, the quest to gain a better understanding of pain eventually turned into a mission to mask pain entirely, not necessarily treat its root causes.
Some issues come along with masking pain, the most obvious being that if you don’t feel any pain, you may not take the correct actions to manage and heal your ailment, leading to further injury. Another problem that is rarely discussed, is the role of pain management medications in the actual treatment of pain. For a long time, it was commonly believed that pills helped, but recent studies show that many frequently used pharmaceuticals actually hinder the healing process.
It is well established in scientific literature that NSAIDs can impede the healing of broken bones, damaged ligaments, and other musculoskeletal tissues. Many surgeons many avoid suggesting or prescribing these medications because of the growing concern in how they negatively impact callus formation and decrease the activity of COX isoenzymes that decrease the synthesis of prostanoids.
Another drug of great controversy – opioids. How much are these incredibly dangerous drugs that have caused hundreds of thousands of overdose deaths over the last decade, even aiding in the healing process? Short answer, not very much at all – according to recent studies.
A study published in 2017 found that patients who were treating wounds with opioid doses over 10mg per day exhibited slower rates of healing than patients who took less than 10mg or none at all. Other studies have also suggested that opioid use may negatively impact wound healing by reducing immune activation, impacting tissue oxygenation and angiogenesis, and altering myofibroblast recruitment as well as impacting keratinocyte cytokine production, endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis.
Other drugs that can slow wound healing are cytotoxic antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agents, corticosteroids, and anticoagulants. Additionally, all drugs in the pain relief category can theoretically interfere with healing by masking pain and thus allowing you to continue to hurt yourself without immediately realizing it.
My personal experience with pain
To not sound completely tone-deaf here, I do understand that certain levels of pain can make life unbearable. I’ve been blessed in not having to experience chronic, debilitating pain personally, but I have had a handful of injuries and surgeries in my life that left me in pain or discomfort for a few weeks to a few months at a time.
I also suffer from frequent migraines and cluster headaches, which come on strong and fast. Normally, I try to take it easy, drink a lot of water, eat food, and avoid smoking until it goes away. Admittedly, I’ll pop an Excedrin occasionally if I don’t have time to tend to naturally, but I try to avoid that as the regular use of any acetaminophen-based drug can cause significant damage to the body, particularly the liver.
Right now, I’m drawing from my experience of giving birth, comparing how it went when I received epidural versus a natural birth. First, it’s important to note that babies whose mothers receive an epidural are more likely to develop respiratory distress syndrome once the child is born. Epidural anesthetic is sometimes combined with opioid drugs as well, which can cross the placenta and add to the risk of developing respiratory depression.
Babies who have are exhibiting such problems likely end up going to the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). While staying in the NICU may not seem harmful on the surface, it means that mother and baby are separated immediately after birth. And when you use epidural, you can’t move your legs for a couple of hours after giving birth, so if the baby is not in the same room with you, that’s even longer spent away from them during their first moments on this earth, and this can have profound effects on the emotional and physical well-being of both baby and mom.
This is what happened to me when I gave birth to my first son with epidural. The labor was about 10 hours, I had to be put on oxygen at numerous points during the process, and my baby was born with some breathing issues that made it difficult for him to breathe through his nose while eating. He was taken to NICU right away, but even while there he had issues for a couple of weeks. At one point during a feeding, he stopped breathing completely for a few seconds and turned blue, it was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever experienced.
Were these issues causes by the epidural? It’s hard to say, but very possible. Especially when comparing that ordeal to the birth of my second son, which was done completely naturally. No problems during the labor which last less than one hour from start to finish, baby had absolutely no issues, and we were discharged in about 1 day.
In my opinion, that’s very telling of the types of complications that can arise when unnecessary medical intervention is at play.
Final thoughts
Pain management is a complicated and sensitive subject for many people, patients and medical professionals alike. Pharmaceuticals have their place in modern medicine, but it’s important to take a closer look at their overall role in treating pain over the long term. These recent discoveries place greater importance on treating the root causes of pain, in order to get patients off their medications as quickly as possible.
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The internet is filled with the nashing of teeth about people having to return the office 5 days a week . Here are 5 ways to manage the return.
Amazon, the Federal Government and more are returning to 5 days a week. For a portion of the work force, this is a new experience after years of either work from home or flex work. It is not going well. There are endless articles about the anguish of working in an office, but at the moment, there is nothing to be changed. And it is better to keep working while looking for a job, rather than face an uncertain work future. ere are 5 ways to manage return to office mandates.
Before returning to a full-time schedule, take time to reflect on your career goals and how they align with your personal life. It’s essential to mentally prepare for the increased demands and stress that may come with a five-day workweek. Consider how you can bring joy to the commute (books on tape, podcasts, singing), enjoy your lunch and how you can make the week still a place of fun.
To maximize productivity, prioritize tasks and focus on high-impact activities. Use tools like calendars or planners to organize your day and ensure you meet deadlines. Consider implementing time management techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in focused intervals with short breaks. Also, consider doing one chore a day at home, laundry, bathroom cleaning, etc. This will provide more “fun or down” time on the weekend.
Working long hours without breaks can lead to burnout. Make sure to take short breaks throughout the day to recharge. Prioritize self-care by incorporating activities that reduce stress, such as meditation, exercise, or spending time with family and friends.
If you find yourself anxious, consider microdosing. With cannabis being generally accepted and healthier than alcohol, the California sober has emerged. If the anxiety is overwhelming, many are learning 1.5-2.5 mg of cannabis, a portion of a marijuana gummy, can help you gain control of the day.
Returning to work after a break can be an excellent opportunity to update your skills. Engage in professional development activities to stay current with industry trends and enhance your career prospects. Reconnect with former colleagues and industry contacts. Attend networking events or join professional groups to expand your network and stay informed about opportunities in your field.
Take a moment, breath and realize not everything is forever.
He has another movie dropping – but does Will Ferrell chill with cannabis after all the production?
He is paired with Reese Witherspoon for a new comedy You Are Cordially Invited. Ferrell has had a series of success from the wildly popular original Lego Movie to Elf. He is a majorly bankable star and never seems to be too far from a project. He become famous during his stint on SNL where he starred from 1995 to 2002. “I had a wonderful seven seasons on that show, where I made lifelong friends,” he said. “I knew in that moment it would be the hardest but most fun job I would ever get to do, and I still look back on it that way” he shared. But does Will Ferrell consumer marijuana?
In a series of tweets from 2013, Ferrell humorously addressed the topic, stating, “Smoking weed doesn’t make me a bad person, just like going to church doesn’t make you a good person” and “Yes, I smoke weed. No, I am not a drug addict”. This implies he is a canna consumer. But more importantly, he is a canna fan.
Ferrell’s comments reflect a broader cultural shift towards more accepting views of marijuana use. His humor often touches on social norms and stereotypes, and his remarks about marijuana are consistent with this approach. By joking about the topic, Ferrell helps normalize the conversation around marijuana, aligning with a growing public perception that marijuana use is not necessarily indicative of addiction or moral failing.
The relationship between marijuana use and creativity, particularly in comedy, is a topic of interest. Some comedians and artists report that marijuana enhances their creativity or helps them perceive humor differently. While Ferrell has not explicitly linked marijuana to his comedic creativity, his casual attitude towards its use suggests that he may view it as a part of a relaxed lifestyle rather than a tool for creative enhancement.
known for his unique brand of humor and his ability to create memorable characters, he connects with the viewing public. In doing so, he help make cannabis acceptable.
The news announced the death of another muse – this one for The Rolling Stones – but what is a Muse?
The news today is about the passing of Marianne Faithfull, an artist and muse to The Rolling Stones? But exactly what is a muse? The label gets tossed around? But what does it really mean? They are a source of inspiration, often associated with artistic creativity. In modern times, a muse can be a person who inspires an artist, writer, or musician, often through their presence, personality, or actions.
n ancient Greek mythology, the Muses were nine sister goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences. They were believed to inspire creativity and knowledge in various fields such as literature, music, and astronomy. The Muses were named Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania. In modern times, a muse can be a person who inspires an artist, writer, or musician, often through their presence, personality, or actions.
They have often faced challenges, particularly women overshadowed by the artists they inspire. Many muses sacrifice their own creative pursuits to support the careers of their partners, leading to a lack of recognition and autonomy. This dynamic often resulted in muses being seen more as sources of inspiration rather than as creative individuals in their own right. It also can mean the difference financially since the artist owns the right and the muses often has not percentage of earnings.
The pressure and effort to be a muse can also be draining and tough…sometimes leading the inspiration to a destruction pattern.
Many famous artists have had muses who inspired their work. For example, Pablo Picasso had several muses, including Françoise Gilot and Dora Maar, who were also his romantic partners. The relationship between an artist and their muse can be deeply personal and collaborative, as seen in the experiences of Zoya
Some of the great muses include:
Patti Boyd – Inspired songs by Eric Clapton (“Layla,” “Wonderful Tonight”) and George Harrison (“Something”)
The Hadid Sisters – Inspired songs by artists like The Weeknd and Zayn Malik
Amber Rose – Inspired Kanye West and other rappers
Rosanna Arquette – Inspired Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” and Toto’s “Rosanna”
Elle Macpherson – The original inspiration for Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl”
Lisa Bonet – Inspired Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”
The Hadid Sisters – Inspired songs by artists like The Weeknd and Zayn Malik
Emilie Louise Flöge – Gustav Klimt’s life partner and muse, featured in his famous work The Kiss
Camille Claudel – A French sculptor and muse to Auguste Rodin, known for her own artistic talent
Gala Diakonova – The wife and muse of Salvador Dalí, often depicted in his surrealistic paintings
In the modern era, the role of the muse is being redefined. Social media platforms have democratized inspiration, allowing anyone to be a muse by sharing their creativity and experiences online. This shift has provided more opportunities for muses to express themselves and gain recognition as individuals.However, the pressures of maintaining a public image and the constant need for content creation can also lead to stress and pressure on modern muses.