Addiction, it’s a terrible thing!

acosmichippo (r/atheism) was right on the money with this comment regarding the picture above haha:

It’s pretty amazing how well all of these work by just substituting “Jesus” for “drugs”.

This is your brain. This is your brain on Jesus.

Just say no to Jesus.

Get high on life, not on Jesus.

Jesus free is the way to be.

I’d rather eat bugs than do Jesus.

Jesus is whack, so watch your back.

Jesus costs you more than just money.

Reach for the stars, not Jesus.

Stand up to Jesus or fall to your knees.

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Curiosity: Your Body on Drugs

Currently watching this documentary on Discovery, and I thought I’d share it with you. Luckily I found the whole thing up on YouTube, win!

It illustrates the effects of four illicit drugs, cannabis, heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, on your body. They have a person who uses each of these substances pretty much daily to take part and do specific tasks prior to and after having used their substance of choice. The results are interesting, not to mention surprising, in a lot of the cases. What’s even more surprising is Robbin Williams hosting it and controlling his epic sense of humour. I don’t think he’s made a single joke yet… Probably not the best place to I guess haha.

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50% of Americans pro cannabis legalisation

Easily one of the most compelling short videos/speeches on why cannabis should be legalised, whether in the US or Australia. 

It’s brilliant to see that as the scientific evidence piles up and more and more people are seeing the light with regards to the prohibition on drugs, specifically cannabis, fewer and fewer people believe it should continue to be prohibited. Undoubtedly a good sign considering this terrible prohibition has lead to the arrest and incarceration of more than 22 million American citizens since 1965.

At the end of last year, during the Obama Administration’s attempt to shortchange the American public’s most population action petition (cannabis legalisation), and was effectively declaring war on medicinal cannabis through DOJ, IRS, etc. the Gallup polls showed 50% of Americans now think cannabis should be legal. The highest percentage since the first Gallup poll was held on the issue in 1969.

Below is a video reacting to the news of this Gallup poll outcome at the end of last year with MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell’s giving a 4 minute condemning speech of those who are for the war on drugs and anti-cannabis legalisation, specifically politics (many of whom have admittedly partaken in said indulgences).

Hopefully this sort of clear logic illuminates the hypocrisy surrounding drug prohibition that has lead to the ruining of countless millions of peoples’ lives world wide, which has lead to much more devastating harm to individuals than any illicit substance ever could.

In my opinion, anyone who is against the legalisation and proper regulation of illicit substances like cannabis are at best completely ignorant of the science and facts, and are at worst complete and utter hypocrites who know the science and facts but still believe they should be prohibited (unlike more harmful substances, alcohol/cigarettes).

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Pro drug legalisation is now a mainstream view

Salon.com columnist David Sirota appeared on The Young Turks last night speaking about the politics of drug legalisation and the so called ‘extreme’ view. In the light of recent polls it’s obvious the extreme view no longer entails being pro-legalization of drugs, but the opposite of being against the legalization of drugs.

Sirota explains how 50% of Americans now support the legalisation of cannabis, and that an even larger 77% support the legalisation of medicinal cannabis.

It seems a common tail these days that conservative religious groups like the USA’s Republicans are themselves often the extremists who point at those sharing the mainstream centrist view, legalising drugs in this case, as being the extremist, though neither the polls nor scientific evidence can support their position. It just comes down to a screaming match where whomever has the loudest and most obnoxious  voice seems to be deemed correct.

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Illicit drugs not tied to middle-age mental decline

A new study carried out by British scientists has found further evidence supporting the absence of a connection between mental decline in later life from previous drug use.

I’m not too surprised to be honest… Cannabis was shown to be the most commonly used illicit drug by the 9000 participants in this study. People were surveyed at 42 years of age and then had their cognitive abilities tested 8 years later at age 50. 12 illicit drugs were included in the study comprising substances like cocaine, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, amphetamines and ecstasy.

The authors of the study state these findings and implications in the abstract that:

At the population level, it does not appear that current illicit drug use is associated with impaired cognitive functioning in early middle age. However, the authors cannot exclude the possibility that some individuals and groups, such as those with heavier or more prolonged use, could be harmed.

However, the authors cannot exclude the possibility that some individuals and groups, such as those with heavier or more prolonged use, could be harmed.

Although, aforementioned substances such as cannabis and cocaine have short term effects on ones cognitive abilities if used periodically, this study is further evidence for ones mental capacities returning to normal soon after use has stopped.

That said, it would be best to look at longer studies from earlier ages to really clarify things. As raised in one of the below comments by Ian, why would you expect to see a difference between the ages of 42 and 50. More interesting would be examining different degrees of usage of these drugs in much younger people, from their teens, through their adult life in order to examine long term effects of drug usage of cognitive abilities. Use at a younger age is probably much more detrimental to the mind, when it is still developing, than say at at 42 when it has long since matured.

More info here

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Want protection against MS? Get pregnant!

According to recent findings by Tasmanian researchers pregnant women who suffer from multiple sclerosis have the symptoms of the disease greatly reduced. It’s thought that increasing rates women with MS may be connected with delaying pregnancy according to Associate Professor, Bruce Taylor from The Menzies Research Institute.

“We think that having children is protective for having MS,

“In fact in another study we’ve done we’ve shown the more children you have the lower chance you have of developing MS and because women are having their children later in their 30s rather than their 20s or even in their late teens they don’t get that neuro-protective or neuro-immunological affect of carrying a child.”

It’s undoubtedly connected with the change in levels of certain hormones such as estrogen during pregnancy that may protect against or alleviate symptoms of MS.

On top of this, drugs for treating MS are about to get a great deal cheaper when a new vitamin-D supplement hits the market. It will reduce the cost of MS drugs from $25,000 a year to a mere $300. You might be able to save a little more if you live somewhere sunny!

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