Caffeine, E-Cig news, Zohydro and other Opioid news and death
Coffee and cigarettes have long been a part of the morning ritual … now we have concerns about actual coffee/caffeine addiction.
E-cig news includes a study earlier this year, finding cancer indications like tobacco, especially snuff, from using e-cigarettes. However, the study used specially prepared lung cells, not humans. And the FDA has released its draft regulations for e-cigarettes, prohibiting their sale to minors, requiring warning labels, and asking that new device be submitted to the FDA for testing and evaluation.
Several more stories about opioids and heroin. Peaches Geldof, the daughter of Irish rocker Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats) and founder of Band-Aid , has died unexpectedly of a heroin overdose. Also there are a number of stories about pregnant women using and being addicted to prescribed opioids as well as heroin. And the protests continue about Zohydro, the new Vicodin-like medication that is 10 times stronger, and contains no acetaminophen.
Will new stronger hydrocodone add to opiates/heroin epidemic? The VA and Pain Mgmt, Nicotine as medicine, Tylenol tied to ADHD
Several treatment professionals are so worried about Zohydro, the newly released much stronger opiate, that they are petitioning the FDA to pull it. Also is the VA making more opioid addicts with its approach to pain treatment for soldiers? Some interesting new studies are showing that nicotine can be valuable as a treatment for such conditions as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, ADHD and learning problems. Seminars for marijuana entrepreneur are cropping up, discussing marketing and local laws as well as new extract methods like “wax” which also has the DEA’s attention – its the the latest form of super-powerful THC extract. And one girl scout with a bit of entrepreneurial spirit set up her Girl Scout cooke table outside a medical marijuana dispensary. Her success story went viral!
E-cig Restrictions, Nek-nominate, Winter Olympics, Legalize-Tax-Discourage, Smoking and Mental Illness
Putting e-cigarettes behind the counter and not sold to minors in Cook County, while Chicago has banned e-cig “vaping” wherever cigarette smoking is forbidden. Nek-nominate, popular in UK and Australia, now here, involves drinking large amounts of alcohol often mixed with other bizarre things, then nominating one or two friends to follow suit, or do even more. Of course its recorded on YouTube. New performance-enhancing drugs coming out of Sochi. Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank advocating for legalizing drugs, and some success with smoking cessation among those with mental illness using the stop-smoking drug varenicline
Heroin, Energy Drink Ban, Fingertip Drug Testing, AA vs Addiction Docs
Heroin is at epidemic levels in Vermont and a major concern, says its governor … Vermont and other small states have a greater per capita heroin problem than big cities, and overdose deaths have increased dramatically. Also, calls for banning of Monster Energy Drink, following a 19 year old’s death, and increased emergency room caffeine poisonings cases. Using the sweat from fingertips is the latest innovation in drug testing. And a discussion on the ongoing conflict between subscribers to the AA model of recovery vs. addiction doctors and their adherents. Also “amnesty boxes in Denver airport for MJ, and more on e-cigarettes, which have been banned in some places.
MJ Biz has Roaring Start in CO, Dabbing, Genetic Testing for ADHD, E-Cigs on TV
Recreational marijuana business got off to a roaring starting in Colorado, with $5 million is sales reported for the first week. Dabbing is a general term for several ways to extract the THC from the marijuana and greatly increase the potency. Genetic testing and treatment for ADHD is being explored. Low levels of dopamine seems to be part of the condition. And e-cigarette companies are planning a major advertising effort for this year, including TV ads. Meanwhile the FDA is intending to adopt new regulations for e-cigarettes, and New York City and a few other areas are requiring tobacco and e-cigarette purchasers to be 21.
MJ Issues and Increases, Adderall, Doctors and Big Pharma, E-Cigs
The legalization of medical and recreational marijuana is bringing up many issues: DUIs, how to reliably test for it, increased use by adolescents, and various health issues. Adderall stories continue with a new study saying early use DOES lead to a greater likelihood of cocaine addiction, not the opposite. Doctors on the payrolls of big pharma companies, with some saying they will no longer pay doctors to promote their drugs, but will still engage them to do research. And new reports noting e-cigarettes and their connection to heart disease. PODCAST