The gateway theory was previously called the stepping stone theory. This theory states that although marijuana in and of itself is not significantly dangerous, its usage will be a gateway or a stepping stone to more dangerous substances. Through the years marijuana has been postulated as a gateway drug to cocaine, LSD, and heroin. Is there any truth to the theory?

In reality, the theory doesn’t pass muster. People who use cocaine are in fact likely to have used marijuana, which is more popular by far than cocaine. Medical marijuana does not lead people to use LSD, cocaine, or heroin.

An excellent analogy is riding a motorcycle vs riding a bicycle. Comparing to riding motorcycles (in this example is cocaine use), a lot more people have ridden a bicycle (in this example is marijuana use). The amount of individuals who ride motorcycles (use cocaine) who have also ridden a bicycle in the past (smoked marijuana) is exceptionally high. However bicycle riding does not cause motorcycle riding, and if more people start riding bicycles in the US it will not lead to a then proportionately higher incidence of motorcycle riders. This analogy spreads to the fact that an increase in marijuana smoking will not result in more usage of hard drugs like cocaine.

What the analogy refers to is a usual sequence in which events happen, not a causative sequence. The same as riding a bicycle doesn’t lead to and cause motorcycle riding, medical marijuana does not lead to cocaine – it is simply the same type of typical sequence when one looks at a high prevalence activity (marijuana smoking) compared to a low prevalence activity (lsd, cocaine, or heroin use).

Some studies have looked at an association between the increase of dopamine availability and THC. Researchers have theorized marijuana is “priming” the brain for cocaine and heroin use. No studies have actually shown this “priming” and animals receiving THC injections do not then increase their desire to self administer heroin or cocaine. The theory has no reality basis.

National Institute on Drug Abuse studies showed that of the seventy two million people in the US who have used marijuana (probably over one hundred million since the studies at this point), only seventeen percent used cocaine over 100 times. This means that for every 100 marijuana users, only 1 now uses cocaine.

The most commonly used drug in the States today is marijuana. Those who use harder, less popular illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin, or LSD are also likely to have smoked marijuana. Most marijuana smokers never use other illegal harder drugs and marijuana is usually an end drug, not a stepping stone.

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Oral thrush requires treatment via a doctor’s prescription; however, only a few drugs have been approved for oral consumption. Because the fungus cell structure is similar to the cell structure in humans, it’s important to find medications that won’t harm the human cell walls while, at the same time, causing the fungal cells to die. The main concern is to make sure the drug formulations don’t damage the human cell membranes, but are able to attack and destroy the fungal cell membranes. NuBrilliance is used by quite a few folks needing a proven at home microdermabrasion system. As a result of this situation, there are only about ten approved internal anti-fungal medications for oral ingestion.

These serious drugs are not for treating external yeast infections, but are reserved for the much more severe internal yeast infections. There are activities you should refrain from doing when you are treating a vaginal yeast infection. One of the first things you should do is refrain from having sexual intercourse. Your vaginal tissues have already been compromised by the yeast infection and sexual intercourse could cause more damage. And then, there’s also the real possibility that it could hurt. It’s important not to irritate this area more than it already is because there’s a very real chance you can spread the infection. NuBrilliance is a top seller as a quality at home microdermabrasion system. It’s also not a good idea to use tampons if you are treating yourself with OTC medications, but choose pads instead. The problem with tampons is that they are very absorptive and could actually absorb the medication you are using to treat your vaginal yeast infection and hinder your treatment.

Oral thrush (Candidiasis oral) happens inside of the mouth and presents as white patches on the tongue, lips, and inner cheeks. It frequently attacks babies and children and, of course, adults. Nystatin (nystatin oral) is an anti-micotic polyene antibiotic, obtained from Streptomyces noursei and successfully treats oral thrush Nystatin is easy to take by the mouthful. Hold it in your mouth as long as you can and then gargle with it. After that, you simply swallow the liquid. If you have oral thrush, though, be sure to see your doctor for professional evaluation. Sometimes doctors have other methods of treatment in mind and that might be the case with your doctor. Another thing you don’t want to do if you or your child has oral thrush and that is to rub the white patches in an effort to remove them because you can make the areas under the patches bleed. Trying to get rid of the white patches in this manner will also cause you a lot of pain.

You can find alternative types of yeast infection treatments, and one such treatment is boric acid capsules specifically as a vaginal suppository. It’s especially useful if you have a chronic yeast infection that didn’t respond to other antifungal medicines. There is one major precaution to using boric acid: Don’t use it if you suspect a vaginal yeast infection and you are pregnant. We really can’t repeat this admonition too many time: If you are pregnant and you think you are developing a yeast infection, vaginal or otherwise, go to your health care provider immediately. On a related note, we urge you to consult your doctor, even though we reported on this alternative treatment, because an unresponsive condition may not be Candidiasis in the first place. If you self-diagnosed your condition, then you could have a different kind of infection.

Successful yeast infection treatment is quite possible in very many instances. Systemic yeast infections are the most critical and are caused when the fungus enters your bloodstream and quickly spreads in your body.

Perhaps you’ve been lucky and have successfully treated the symptoms each time the infection happened, but it’s important to find out why they keep returning. It’s very important to find out if there is another health issue that is responsible for the recurring infections. Almost all yeast infection treatments are safe, effective, and easy to use. Pregnancy, of course, is a major concern if any form of vaginitis occurs. However, if you have, or have infected someone, who has a weakened immune system, that is also a major concern. If you get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor for the symptoms you are experiencing now, you will stand a better chance of making a correct diagnosis the next time you have the same set of symptoms.

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Most people don’t even know what a yeast infection is or what it does to the body, so why would it be high on anyone’s priority list. Who really ever thinks about it until it happens to them? But there really are very good reasons to learn about them so you can work to prevent them in the future. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not only the bad, but also the good, so the bacteria that keeps yeast away is destroyed by the antibiotic, thus allowing yeast to spread wildly. Rocket Spanish is quite popular as a quality Spanish course. Personal habits can not only cause Candida in the first place, but allow it to keep coming back, so investigation is important. Knowing about the symptoms and causes of yeast infection will only help you to be able to spot it when it starts to occur.

The state of the yeast cell population in your body, especially in your vagina, can be determined by the type of clothes you are wearing. Clean, cotton underwear that is not worn too tightly, will help Candida from spreading at that part of the body. Once you know that Candida flourishes in warm places that are moist, you may want to change the type of underwear that you will wear. You must find out a little more regarding our Rocket Spanish review to be sure about this Spanish course. If you have a history of wearing pantyhose and developing yeast infections, then that could be a clue right there. You have to look at the overall situation starting with the clothes you wear.

There are a variety of external substances that can cause, not only yeast infections, but also allergic reactions. Of all the things that cause yeast conditions, you might not have thought about the chemicals in the dyes used in your clothes. Douches, seen on TV commercials, are not necessarily good for your body.

Yeast infections can be dangerous, so don’t take something that can give you one. Many products seem to help some people, and hurt others, so it could be a risk to use douches. The results are not totally known, but it is obvious that a number of woman have used douches and have gotten yeast infections. There must be something better that women can use rather than a douche, since it very likely will give you a yeast infection.

Chemical sensitivity is a real issue for many people, and the various problems caused comprise a long list. There are many negative effects caused by the use of perfumes in personal products and a yeast infection is just one of the results someone might have to face. Unfortunately the usual situation involves learning the hard way and narrowing down the culprit to one product or another. Perfumed toilet paper is pleasant, and makes your bathroom smell good, but it is one of the biggest culprits causing vaginitis for women who are sensitive to the scent chemicals used in the product. Vaginitis can appear in a woman who is sensitive to the scents in this product after using it for a short time – sometimes just a matter of days. Yeast infections may be annoying and confusing but, normally, they are not hard to get rid of if you follow a sound plan. Sometimes you may have a situation where you have to take antibiotics. Ask your doctor if there is something you can do to lower your risk of getting a yeast infection while you take the antibiotics. Being careful with your diet will help your bacteria level stay healthy. Make sure to eat a well-balanced diet and avoid processed foods, sodas, and sugar as much as you can.

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Over sixty million people worldwide have glaucoma and it is the second most common cause of blindness behind cataracts. THC and marijuana both reduce intra-ocular pressure, which is the main problem with glaucoma. Glaucoma is one of the most well known uses for medical marijuana.

The most common glaucoma type is primary open angle. It’s a slowly progressive disorder that destroys retinal cells and degrades the optic nerve. A patient’s visual field slowly disappears as it’s constricted, resulting in blindness.

Three identifiable risk factors have been identified for glaucoma. Age and race are two which are out of a person’s control. The 3rd is increased intra-ocular pressure, which is potentially controllable.

Intraocular pressure usually occurs from the aqueous humor which maintains the eye’s shape. The fluid moves from the front of the eye to the back of the cornea. With elevated pressure, there is restriction of fluid flow from the front of the eye, and pressure rises. The optic nerve receives nutrients from this fluid, or it’s supposed to.

Bringing down intraocular pressure to a normal range doesn’t guarantee against glaucoma, but since it’s the only identified risk factor, it is the one medications are used for.

The 2 ways that decreasing intraocular pressure is worked on with medications include:

1) Reducing the production of aqueous fluid

2) Making is easier for the front eye fluid to flow out

A few surgery options exist which can hopefully achieve the same goal.

Multiple studies have displayed effects of THC and marijuana on decreasing eye pressure. Whether the THC is eaten, inhaled, or smoked, intraocular pressure is decreased. Putting cannabinoids right on the eye didn’t work.

Research has not displayed exactly the mechanism of how cannabinoids decrease eye pressure. Marijuana works at decreasing pressure for approximately four hours. So that would mean having to take it 4 to 8 times per day, however, other medications exist which only need to be taken twice a day.

The side effects of marijuana intake, such as the psychoactive effects, may be difficult for the elderly to tolerate. It may cause the heart to “race” and make patients anxious. The IOP in patients with glaucoma needs to be controlled continuously since it’s a progressive disease.

With the onset of the latest medications that are effective for controlling eye pressure in glaucoma, marijuana is no longer a first line treatment for controlling it. It is less effective and potentially more problematic than the latest medications. If, however, a patient needs a second or third line choice, marijuana may fit the need nicely.

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Massage in the US is very popular. Approximately thirty percent of Americans receive a massage annually. About 30% of those receiving massages report obtaining one for a health condition such as general wellness, pain management, migraine, or for injury rehab. Over eighty percent of patients agree with the comment that massages may be helpful for health and wellness improvement.

What health conditions has massage therapy been shown usefulness? Here is a list of what research has shown effectiveness from massage (not comprehensive):

Tiredness from cancer

Reducing cancer patient pain

Low Back Pain

Arthritis of the knee

Decrease post-operative pain

Increasing the human body immune system effectiveness

Decreasing carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms

Lowering blood pressure

Reducing headache frequency

Relieving alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Numerous studies have displayed massage to be very helpful for chronic low back pain. In numerous studies, good outcomes have been shown for up to a year. Massage has shown superiority to relaxation, education, and acupuncture with the same outcome to exercises and bracing. Compared to TENS and spinal manipulation, massage showed inferiority. For neck pain, a number of studies have not shown definitive conclusions, so it not clear if massage is actually helpful for neck pain and function.

For carpal tunnel syndrome, people routinely receive improvement in pain, anxiety, depression, and grip strength when compared with controls. So some preliminary data exists for using massage in those with carpal tunnel. Potentially surgery could be avoided by including massage therapy.

With regards to massage treatment for fibromyalgia, the results are mixed. Some studies have shown that massage is beneficial for its pain, whereas others have shown only short term relief or none at all. More studies are needed in this field. Fibromyalgia has significant differences in how it affects patients. Some may not tolerate receiving massage at all, whereas others love it.

The research into how well massage works for headaches is typically either low quality or significantly limited with the available conclusions. Some research findings show massage to be superior to acupuncture for migraines. Patients in one study had less monthly migraines and the severity of each headache was less. One study in the literature showed craniosacral massage to be beneficial for tension type headaches.

Shoulder pain has been looked at in a number of studies, most of which varied tremendously with the types of patients treated. Most patients in these studies showed improvements for range of motion, pain, and functional disability despite having numerous different conditions in the studies. So massage helps considerably with shoulder pain.

Massage should not typically pondered as first line treatment for health conditions that are chronic and non-malignant. It should be implemented as a complement to other conventional first line treatments such as physical therapy and medications.

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The HCG diet plan has gained incredible popularity over the past few years due to its effectiveness shedding pounds. However, a lot of critics exist. Researchers discredited the HCG diet in the 1970′s.

HCG is the short term for human chorionic gonadotropin, and pregnant females have high levels. Most of the HCG utilized for the diet comes from the urine of pregnant females. It allows hunger pangs to be curbed, making it easier to maintain sticking to the calorie restricted diet. This is important because for 6 weeks individuals are not permitted intake of over 500 hundred calories daily (800-900 on the modified diet). Diet advocates say that HCG releases body fat from problem areas such as the hips, belly, and thighs.

Only minimal evidence exists showing HCG to be effective versus placebo, and unfortunately no long term safety data exists. While there is increasing internet popularity selling the HCG diet and naturopathic doctors utilizing it more and more, there are also more medical doctors becoming proponents. It is increasingly being offered as part of a “physician supervised” weight loss plan.

It can be rather easy to find success stories for HCG on talk shows, medical practice websites, and all over the internet. Impressive weight loss from the diet is seen and occurs quickly. Ignoring these reports completely might be inappropriate considering the significant success rate to this point.

The weight loss can feed on itself. The results start quickly, and patients just “feed off it” and become super motivated. With evidence lacking, the FDA requires a label to say that the hormone is “not an effective adjunctive therapy” for weight loss.

Potential side effects of the HCG diet include headaches, fatigue, hair loss, irritability, and increased risk of blood clots. Some beginning evidence exists that HCG stimulates the ovaries, insulin, and cortisol.

HCG stimulates testosterone in males, which is the reason HCG is classified as a performance enhancing substance. The FDA has approved the injected version to treat endocrine disorders and fertility issues. The diet comes in a variety of forms including injections, nose spray, or oral drops (under the tongue). The non-injection versions are over the counter products considered supplements and are not tightly regulated. How much HCG is actually in these products is not standard.

The largest struggle with the HCG diet, similar to any diet, is keeping the weight off. That’s the reason that physician supervision is recommended along with vitamin supplementation to prevent malnutrition.

At this point, the HCG diet continues to gain in popularity. It will be interesting to see if it stays its course.

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It is very typical for people to try over-the-counter products like Noxzema or Clearasil in an attempt to stop the acne from appearing on their face. What if you are not limited to only over-the-counter medications? If you were possible to organically treat your acne, would you try this method? Natural and organic products are typically easier on your skin than the chemicalized over the counter products we usually use. H Miracle has been used by a lot of consumers requiring a proven hemorrhoid remedy. Vitamins can help your acne, sometimes even more so than over-the-counter medication. Your diet can also be enhanced by taking the vitamins everyday.

One thing that can definitely help prevent acne is using lemon juice on your face. People can squeeze lemon juice over acne that is just starting or has already appeared. Most people see the best results when they do this at night allowing the lemon juice to work for several hours. You can use a little water with your lemon juice if you have sensitive skin. Lemon juice is a natural remedy because of its antiseptic like qualities. Know more about our H Miracle review before buying this hemorrhoids remedy. Lemon juice is also a natural anti-inflammatory solution, and can also help control bacterial levels. Household cleansers often use lemon, not for the scent, but because of what it naturally does.

Lemon acts as a natural antiseptic. By applying this to your acne, it can also reduce the swelling and control the amount of bacteria that is causing the inflammation. This is one of the reasons that lemon is so popular in household cleansers as well. You should start putting carrots on your plate more often. The main advantage to consuming carrots is the amount of Vitamin A they contain. Your skin contains many sensitive and easily damaged tissues, and Vitamin A is very helpful at repairing these. Vitamin A is additionally helpful when it comes to maintaining the health of your mucous membrane. When you eat carrots, you’re also getting valuable antioxidants, which are helpful in many ways, especially in helping the body release toxins. Carrots are also well known as a food that’s helpful for the eyes. Carrot sticks make for a tasty and healthy snack! Few snacks offer the nutritional benefits of carrots, certainly not chips or other packaged snacks.

Eat a zinc-rich diet. In general, zinc is a terrific immune system booster. Zinc is one of the best ways to combat winter ailments like the flu and the common cold. By strengthening your immune system, it helps you get rid of these ailments faster. Scientists and doctors have found out that zinc can also be helpful for the complexion. In fact, a deficiency of zinc can make it more likely that you’ll experience acne. While zinc is contained in many natural acne remedies, you don’t have to buy these to get the benefit. Taking zinc internally, in foods or in capsules or tablets, can give your skin the benefits of this mineral.

The prevention of acne blemishes and blackheads can be achieved using different solutions. Our first intention is to run to the store to get an acne remedy right away. What if chemical solutions were not your only option? This article has given you three natural remedies that you can use to keep your skin clean, clear, bright and healthy. Just try them out when you can. It is in your best interest to try them out.

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