Category: Natural Health

Is There a Scientific Link Between Marijuana and Cognitive Abilities?

As ever, in a presidential race, candidates are ambushed with tantalizing questions. One such question is centered around the use and abuse of marijuana.

The issue of marijuana legalisation has been on the table for years, and concerned parents and terminal patients have been tossing the ball back and forth, waiting for another piece of legislation to climb the Hill.

One of the most cited arguments revolves around the true links between marijuana and intelligence. Will smoking pot on an occasional Friday afternoon in high school prevent your child from making the Ivy League? Do corporate bankers really light up on weekends? Does one of the 111 cannabinoids found in marijuana kill brain cells? Is cannabis truly the ultimate gateway drug?

What Exactly Do You Smoke?

What non-smokers may not know is that there are 779 different strains of marijuana, and not all of them have the same effect on the smoker. This startling number is composed mostly of hybrids, stemming from two parent strains: the indicas and the sativas. In order to better understand the connections between smoking marijuana and IQ levels, we must first take a cursory look at these two strains and their attributes.

The indicas are responsible for making the user feel drowsy – they produce more of a “narcotic feel” and are medical marijuana users’ preferred choice. They cause smokers to perceive less pain, and lead to an increased appetite, which can greatly benefit chemotherapy patients.

On the other hand, sativas provide an instant energy boost. They are preferred by party goers and are considered a sociable strain. However, pure sativas may cause anxiety attacks and make the user feel panicky and restless.

The majority of smokers opt for hybrid strains, thus achieving a more moderate effect.

How Much Do You Smoke Exactly?

Of course, what makes a huge difference, apart from the quality of the grass you smoke, is how often you indulge. Marijuana users who have been smoking on a daily basis for years greatly differ from a recreational user.

What makes it difficult to study the interplay of marijuana and IQ points is the fact that cannabis is a Schedule I drug, which means the majority of its users are in fact breaking federal law when lighting up. It is also extremely difficult to assess the true effect marijuana has, since not all users smoke the same strains. Measuring dosages and potency under these conditions is difficult. Participant accuracy and honesty regarding amount and frequency of use is also questionable.

This is why there are few studies that have attempted to answer the burning question of marijuana’s effect on generations old and young. All published data still needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

What Does Any of This Have to Do With Intelligence Exactly?

The University of Texas conducted the first neurological study on the long-term effects of cannabis, and the research has concluded that regular use shrinks the brain, but it also increases the number of connections between neurons. However, the study does not come to a definite conclusion on the interplay of marijuana use and changes in gray matter. It does however find that users have lower IQs than non-users, yet this does not seem to be connected with any brain abnormalities.

A different study however has concluded quite the opposite: Carleton University researched the IQ levels of moderate smokers, heavy smokers, and non-smokers, and has found that moderate smokers had an average IQ increase of 5 points, more than non-smokers. Heavy users have been hit with a 4 point decrease. (Moderate smokers were considered to be those who smoked less than 5 joints a week, while heavy users smoked more than 33 every week. Urine tests were used to determine marijuana use.)

These two discoveries alone are enough to baffle even a layman. Still, there is no proof that the increase in IQ points in those subjects who did smoke marijuana in moderation is directly linked to this use. Is it not possible that this increase would have occurred even without the pot?

Even if smoking an odd joint here and there leads to a slight IQ increase, this does in no way mean that you should run to the nearest dispensary and start smoking on a regular, albeit moderate, basis. Decades of further research are needed to come to any definite conclusions.

Another point that can be made in favour of marijuana legalisation comes from a recent longitudinal study, conducted on twins, also supporting the fact that marijuana does not cause any neurocognitive damage. The study encompassed 2227 children from Minnesota, who were subjected to IQ tests every three years. Standardized IQ tests were first administered at the age of 9-12, before marijuana use, and later at the age of 17-20. The conclusion is not exceptional. Those children who did smoke marijuana exhibited a decline in IQ, which was not shown by children who did not. However, and this is a big however, within the set of twins where one smoked marijuana and the other did not, it was evident that marijuana was not the cause of this decline. The culprit must be found elsewhere.

It seems that there is a study out there that can support either claim.

Attempting to define the true nature of marijuana and to precisely determine the effects it has on its users is, as you may have discovered, not exactly teeming with reliable data. Scientists will undoubtedly continue to delve into the leaves themselves and attempt to extract an ounce of reason from puffs of smoke. Meanwhile, people still shy away from openly admitting they fall into the “pot head” category, and marijuana users are still seen by many as criminals and lowlifes.

As long as marijuana remains illegal, it will be difficult to acquire truly valid data – yet legalising it may or may not lead to more widespread use. If it does turn out to cause permanent damage, it may be too late to act.

As we wait with bated breath to see who will win the presidential race, parents and patients will keep throwing new information onto the pile. They will be advocating for their point of view, not only to be heard, but for their views to be accepted and turned into law.

Related Reading:
Sources:

How to Breathe

Believe it or not, most people don’t know how to breathe. Of course we all do it, but most of us don’t do it right. With a little practice, proper breathing will become second nature, and it will improve your mental and physical health as well as your stamina.

Improper Breathing

Most of us are rapid, shallow breathers. We raise our shoulders, pull in our diaphragm, and take a breath that fills only the top portion of our lungs.

How to Breathe Correctly

When you breathe properly, your diaphragm, your stomach, and your ribcage expand, not the pectoral area. Fully exhaling is important, too. Remember, you are breathing in oxygen rich air and releasing carbon dioxide and toxins.

Have you ever watched babies breathe? Their stomachs rise and their rib cages fully expand with each breath they take.  Watch and learn.

Benefits of Breathing Properly

Every cell in our body requires oxygen to survive. Higher oxygen levels increase function and are vital for good health. Many of the most effective natural treatments for serious life threatening diseases focus on oxygenating the cells. The easiest way to get more oxygen into your body and in every cell of your body is to breathe properly.

Proper breathing dramatically increases stamina and mental clarity, elevates your mood, and helps the body detoxify more efficiently (more toxins are released through breathing than through the pores, urination, and defecation combined).

Learn How to Breathe

In ancient martial arts it is said that the student spends months or years learning how to breathe and to heal, before he learns to defend himself.

Practice by expanding your belly while breathing in. Fill your entire lungs with air. Pull in your belly when you exhale. Breathe slow and deep. When you practice this technique, try to take four breaths per minute. Think quality over quantity.  Breathe only through your nose for several minutes. Then inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth for several minutes.

Practice deliberate breathing as often as possible. Use it during exercise, when you’re trying to go to sleep, when you realize you are stressed. And it’s a great tool when you’re trying to hold your temper. Though it will take practice and effort for proper breathing to become a habitual, unconscious act (4 days to 3 weeks), in time, it will become as easy as breathing (pun intended). Learning to Breathe Properly is life changing. Ad squats into your daily routine, check out Cheap and Easy Detox Diet Plan, and thank me in a couple fo weeks 😉

Recommended Supplements:
Further Reading:

Inulin – Natural Dietary Fiber

Inulin is a type of fiber consisting of naturally occurring polysaccharides and storage carbohydrates that can be found in 36,000 types of plants and vegetables. If you read the labels on processed foods, you will find that most of them list inulin. Yes, you have eaten inulin many times in your life.

What exactly is inulin? How does it benefit your body?

What You Need To Know About Inulin

Inulin is a non-digestible, natural, soluble dietary fiber that can be found in many varieties of vegetables, fruits, and other food products. It is composed of several simple sugars linked together and is a naturally occurring oligosaccharide that belongs to a group of fructans (carbohydrates).

Inulin is used as a prebiotic agent to stimulate the development of healthy intestinal bacteria. Inulin can be found in common food products such as fruits, vegetables, dietary supplements, and other health supplements.

What Are the Benefits of Inulin?

Inulin has many health benefits especially for those who are having digestion problems. Other benefits include:

  • It controls blood sugar levels. This is especially helpful for diabetes patients. Inulin has natural antioxidant properties that help with balancing the glucose level of the blood.  People who take inulin report better  responses to sugar with blood sugar levels.
  • It lowers risks of hypertension and heart diseases. Research confirms that inulin lowers levels of fats in the body, specifically triglycerides. Patients with heart conditions are given supplements containing inulin. It can prevent high blood pressure and heart problems.
  • It helps with digestion. Studies show that inulin is used to help with bowel movement and digestion. It is used for constipation and irregular bowel movement. It is widely used with elders who have problems with digestion.
  • It can help with weight loss. Although it is rich in fibre and all signs pinpoint to inulin being a weight loss agent, it should be paired with exercise and a healthy diet.

For users with high triglycerides, the recommended dose is 10 to 15 grams every day. For digestion treatments, the recommended dose is 20 to 40 grams every day until the digestion becomes regular again.

Foods Rich in Inulin

Inulin can be found in many food products but some specific foods that are rich in this dietary fibre include:

  • oats
  • wheat
  • bananas
  • berries
  • pineapple
  • asparagus
  • onions
  • radish

Inulin can aid in cleansing and detoxification. Regular use can eliminate digestive problems and remove fats from the body. Thus, this dietary fibre is an absolutely healthy part of your diet.

Recommended Reading:

Does 5 HTP Really Enhance Sleeping Quality and More?

We don’t fully understand why we need sleep, but we sure know the effects on the body if we don’t get enough of it each day. Extended periods of sleep deprivation can cause some serious health issues that most insomniacs would be well aware of.

Sleep disorders are also closely linked to depression, anxiety, stress, and migraines. So it seems that cognitive issues are at least in part to blame for a chronic lack of sleep. Could you then adjust the levels of serotonin (the neurotransmitter responsible for happiness) to improve the quality of your sleep?

Turns out you can, but you don’t need serotonin for it. You need 5 HTP, a common precursor to the neurotransmitter. The chemical is a byproduct of some proteins found naturally in African plants such as Griffonia simplicifolia. It’s been used to treat everything from Parkinson’s disease to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

5 HTP works on the central nervous system and helps it boost the chemical serotonin in the body. This can affect a number of biological factors including the appetite for sex, hunger, and body temperature.

It has been documented as having incredible effects on a person’s sleep. Researchers found that those who took the drug were likely to sleep more deeply and fall asleep quicker than subjects who were given a placebo in a study. They suggest taking  200 to 400 mg every night to improve the quality of sleep, but it could take between 5 and 10 weeks to be fully effective.

A number of herbal supplements and multivitamins claim to have 5 HTP in them and adults are recommended doses not exceeding 300mgs a day. Children, of course, are not allowed any dose.

The doses are divided and usually taken at different times in the day. Lower, more frequent doses will also have a significant effect. Pairing the dose with other substances is usually okay, unless the substance is a neurological drug used for depression or other cognitive purposes. Do speak to your doctor before you mix 5 HTP with something else.

Taking 5 HTP along with food was also considered a great way to boost appetite. Studies have shown notable differences in appetite. If taken with food, it increases hunger, but may it may reduce your appetite if taken without food. Food intake can be gradually suppressed with the use of this drug.

Other trials have shown similar effects on weight reduction, cortisol control, and sleep terrors.

Insomnia and minor sleep disorders are well noted to be age related. Sleeping aids have been used for centuries, but only recently have we been able to tap into the body’s natural biochemistry to induce deep and restful sleep in most people.

There could be no better way to rebalance serotonin in the body and fix a person’s circadian rhythm. Experts recommend it for people who suffer from chronic sleep deprivation. 5HTP is essentially a natural way to get a good night’s sleep.

Recommended Reading:

How To Make Your Home Office A Healthier Workplace

When you’re setting up your home office, you might be thinking about the computer, fax, and copier, but there’s more to consider than how you arrange your workspace. People spend most of their day in an office, so it’s important to make it the healthiest place it could possibly be.

Air Quality

Green plants can enhance the look of the home office, but they can do much more than that. Plants like ivy are beautiful additions to a home office, and they have the ability to make chemical pollutants harmless. They can also help eliminate mold. If you’re a beginner gardener, choose a type that will be easy to keep alive like a spider plant or a Philodendron. They are hardy plants that can take occasional neglect while keeping the office air clean.

The Scent of the Office

Aromatherapy has been around for thousands of years. Inhaled essential oils can promote healing and recovery. In the office, they can be used to help boost energy levels and relieve stress. Aromatherapy has been shown to help with memory as well. It’s the perfect accessory for the home office.

Brightness and Light

Many people are impacted by the loss of natural light. When you’re sitting in an office all day, your body craves the benefits of natural lighting. Winter depression is a real condition that is caused by less natural sunlight. There are light bulbs that emit a full-spectrum of colors missing from standard bulbs. Along with helping your mood, natural lighting can reduce eye strain and fatigue.

Surrounding Color

Color can also have a positive or negative impact on your mood. There’s a psychology behind the choice of color as well as which ones will have the greatest impact on productivity and creativity. Orange is used to stimulate creativity while yellow stimulates a person’s intelligence. The color you choose will help heighten the traits you’d like to incorporate into the home office.

Ergonomic Furniture

It’s been proven that being hunched over your computer for eight hours a day can have a detrimental impact on your health. You should be sitting with your feet flat on the floor. Your arms should be at a 90-degree angle, and your back should be straight and tall. This means you have to have the right chair. Ergonomically correct chairs will help you maintain a healthy spine alignment, which will reduce pain in the back, head, and neck.

When It’s Time to Stand

Even with an ergonomic chair, you shouldn’t spend your entire day sitting. There are health concerns when people are sedentary. Joints start to ache. Muscles are slower and less responsive. If you’ve ever sat for too long without moving, you know it can be almost painful to start moving again. A standing workstation can relieve many of those aches and pains. You could even purchase a working treadmill, which has a desk built into it for computer work or reading.

The Sound of Music

Silence can become a vacuum when a person is alone all day in their home office. Soothing music playing in the background can help increase emotional well-being. Music can also mask sounds from outside the office that create distractions. The kind of music you choose should be based on whether it will motivate you, distract you, or increase your energy. You might want something soothing to help relieve stress or more energetic music to keep you energized. In the home office, the choice is yours.

Conclusion

A healthy office can increase productivity and reduce stress. Working from home allows you to create your perfect environment.

Sources: