Communityprevention

Communityprevention A non-profit organization. Nationally Certified in Substance Abuse Prevention.

WomenWomen are also targeted by the to***co industry, and to***co companies continue to produce brands specifically for ...
04/06/2023

Women
Women are also targeted by the to***co industry, and to***co companies continue to produce brands specifically for women. Marketing toward women is dominated by themes of social desirability, empowerment, and independence, which are conveyed by advertisements featuring slim, attractive, and athletic models.
Racial/Ethnic Communities
Advertisement and promotion of certain to***co products appear to be targeted to members of racial/minority communities.
Marketing to Hispanics and American Indians/Alaska Natives has included advertising and promotion of cigarette brands with names such as Rio, Dorado, and American Spirit.
The to***co industry has targeted African American communities in its advertisements and promotional efforts for menthol ci******es. Strategies include:
• Campaigns that use urban culture and language to promote menthol ci******es
• To***co-sponsored hip-hop bar nights with samples of specialty menthol ci******es
• Targeted direct-mail promotions
• To***co companies’ marketing to Asian Americans has included:
Sponsorship of Chinese and Vietnamese New Year festivals and other activities related to Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
Heavy billboard and in-store advertisements in predominantly urban Asian American communities
Financial and in-kind contributions to community organizations
Support of Asian American business associations

If this happens too often, the invasive THC short-circuits the brain’s normal neural connections, especially in the fron...
11/15/2022

If this happens too often, the invasive THC short-circuits the brain’s normal neural connections, especially in the frontal lobe and hippocampus (where all the above brain functions live), causing brain changes. This can lower your overall intelligence and cause depression, as well as impact your ability to sleep well, pay attention, store memory, and control impulses. Damaged executive function may produce effects like those suffered by individuals with traumatic brain injury or autism: lack of empathy, inability to follow basic procedures, loss of motivation, and poor short-term memory.

Some of the effects of ma*****na poisoning have proven long-term or permanent, including drops in IQ. But the brain has great neuroplasticity when young, so some can be overcome or improved if usage stops completely. It’s never “too late” to quit!

11/15/2022

Over the past few decades, we’ve learned that some parts of the human brain continue to develop until at least the age of 25 in women and 28 in men. Heavy exposure to ma*****na before this age can negatively impact brain development, resulting in damage affecting many bodily and mental functions.

By coincidence, THC, the main intoxicant in ma*****na, chemically resembles the human neurotransmitter anandamide, which is a substance our bodies use to relay instructions to nerve and brain cells (neurons). Anandamide helps control memory, brain growth, bodily growth, sleep, attention, learning, impulsivity, mood, IQ, and executive function – basically, the control room of the brain. Sadly, THC molecules partially mirror anandamide and can “trick” the brain into allowing it to fit into and block the receptor sites in neurons specifically intended for endocannabinoids. This overstimulates the receptor and prevents these natural chemicals from doing their jobs.

11/14/2022

Ma*****na and hallucinogen use among young adults has reached a new high.
Use of ma*****na and hallucinogens by 19- to 30-year-olds reached their highest levels since tracking began in 1988, according to a new Monitoring the Future panel study supported by the National Institutes of Health. In 2021, 43% said they'd used ma*****na in the last year, which was up 34% from five years ago and 29% compared to 10 years ago. More than 1 in 10 said they now use ma*****na every day, according to the study. Eight percent of young adults reported using hallucinogens in the past year in 2021, up from 5% in 2016 and 3% in 2011, the study showed.
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told "Good Morning America" that this data provides a window into young adults' substance use patterns. "Certainly, the consumption of ma*****na has been going up across all of the country and it is driven by the legalization," she said. In a statement released with the study, Volkow explained that as the drug landscape shifts over time "we need to know more about how young adults are using drugs like ma*****na and hallucinogens, and the health effects that result from consuming different potencies and forms of these substances."
MORE: Young adults dropping alcohol for ma*****na and hallucinogens, survey finds Recreational ma*****na use is legal for adults in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
Many advocates claim ma*****na is as safe if not safer than alcohol, which is believed to contribute to tens of thousands of deaths a year. Alcohol remained the most-used substance among adults in the study, and binge drinking -- having five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks -- rebounded in 2021 after a historic low in 2020.

11/01/2022

Excerpts from the American Lung Association’s official website include, “The American Lung Association is concerned about the health impacts of ma*****na use, especially on lung health. Beyond just what’s in the smoke alone, ma*****na is typically smoked differently than to***co. Ma*****na smokers tend to inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than cigarette smokers, which leads to a greater exposure per breath to tar. Secondhand ma*****na smoke contains many of the same toxins and carcinogens found in directly inhaled ma*****na smoke, in similar amounts if not more. Smoking ma*****na clearly damages the human lung. Research shows that smoking ma*****na causes chronic bronchitis and ma*****na smoke has been shown to injure the cell linings of the large airways, which could explain why smoking ma*****na leads to symptoms such as chronic cough, phlegm production, wheeze and acute bronchitis. We caution the public against smoking ma*****na because of the risks it poses to the lungs.”
Overindulgence in ma*****na can also cause death, though this is rarer. In illnesses like Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, users die because they vomit so much, they become terribly dehydrated. Then there’s the lowered IQ and lack of ambition long-term users show. These aren’t even all the negative health effects that ma*****na can have, and it may be that other cannabis-related ailments may arise that we’re not yet aware of. It’s early yet, in terms of the medical history of ma*****na.
The best advice remains to avoid ma*****na altogether. If you know someone using ma*****na, or if you suspect your kids are, make sure to share this information about the harms of ma*****na.

10/25/2022

The Negative Health Effects of Ma*****na
By Laura Stack
There’s a lingering belief among ma*****na advocates and large sections of the public that ma*****na is safer than to***co. This myth most likely originated from an old misconception, akin to comparing apples to oranges; not just because of the inherent differences between the plants, but because the two have typically been prepared and administered differently.
By the 1980s, to***co had been subject to centuries of specialized breeding, and commercial products were often spiked with extra ni****ne to make them more potent and addictive. Many users smoke one to three packs daily, amounting to 20-60 ci******es—sometimes more. The most addictive users chain-smoke, igniting one cigarette from the embers of another, so they’re never without a drag.
Heavy ma*****na smokers might smoke a few joints a day or hit a v**e all day. Back in the early days, when ma*****na was illegal everywhere and relatively rare, it was also weak, rarely exceeding 3% of the intoxicating chemical, THC. Therefore, ma*****na users were sucking down a lot less smoke, and chemicals in general, than to***co smokers. So while smoking pot has never been good for you, it’s justifiable to argue that it was less dangerous than cigarette smoking… back then.
Not anymore. Ma*****na products have evolved far beyond herb and hashish, with some concentrated products approaching 100% THC content. Even herb ma*****na has been bred to provide up to 34% THC by weight. These days, some ma*****na products deliver the equivalent of seven or more “old time” joints in a single dose. The human body isn’t meant to handle so much THC at once.
This is especially true for young people, whose brains aren’t yet mature. THC latches onto receptors meant for crucial brain chemicals called endocannabinoids, stunting physical and brain growth, scrambling thoughts, interfering with sleep, raising anxiety, causing depression, and affecting other natural processes. The higher amounts of chemicals introduced into the body cause other effects, including heart disease, while raising the likelihood of mental defects like psychosis, schizophrenia, and suicidal ideation. The latter can lead to actual su***de.
Ma*****na smokers often suffer chronic bronchitis-like symptoms, with deep coughing jags rivalling those of long-term to***co smokers. This derives from severe lung and airway irritation and can lead to lung cancer. In the end, rates of cancers and other lung-related ailments among pot-smokers may match up with the to***co data.

09/27/2022

Surprising Side Effects of Drinking Hard Seltzer
1. You may lose weight.
If you are usually an IPA beer or mixed drink-lover, swapping your go-to drink out with a spiked seltzer may help you lose weight.
Why? Spiked seltzers typically have only 100 calories per serving. Compare that with a margarita or an IPA beer, which can have upwards of 200 calories, and drinking the seltzer is clearly the winner. (For more caloric comparisons, Here's How Many Calories Are in Your Favorite Alcoholic Drinks.)
Cutting calories can lead to weight loss, and swapping out more caloric drinks with a lighter spiked seltzer can result in the calorie deficit that your body needs.
2. You may experience teeth erosion.
"Some spiked seltzers have a low pH, which can lead to tooth erosion," explains Jack Hirschfeld, DDS, a clinical instructor at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's School of Dental Medicine. When a drink has a low pH, that means that it is more acidic.
Acidic foods and drinks, like certain spiked seltzers, can soften the enamel on your teeth. Over time, this can lead to tooth sensitivity and even tooth decay.
3. You may gain weight.
Hard seltzers, while being lower in calories compared to other alcoholic drinks, do not provide a significant amount of nutrition, and are therefore considered to be a source of empty calories. And while they are lower in calories, they are not calorie-free. (Related: 22 Foods That Are Never Worth The Empty Calories.)
If you are drinking too many hard seltzers, you may be loading your body up with too many calories from the alcohol, and therefore may notice your body putting on some unwanted pounds.
4. You may feel bloated and gassy.
When you drink a beverage with carbonation, like hard seltzer, you are literally drinking air pockets. And since you don't digest air, the bubbles need to leave your body somehow – enter via releasing flatulence or belching.
5. You may feel drunk.
Even though spiked seltzers are typically lower in alcohol by volume than other pre-made cocktails, they still contain alcohol. And drinking too many of these deliciously bubbly drinks can make you feel drunk – especially if you are drinking on an empty stomach.
Alternating one can of spiked seltzer with a glass of water can help moderate the alcohol consumption while supporting healthy hydration. Speaking of overdoing it on the booze, you may want to read up on Strange Side Effects of Alcohol You've Never Heard Before, Says Science.

Surprising Side Effects of Drinking Hard SeltzerIf you are a seltzer water fan and you enjoy the occasional cocktail, th...
09/06/2022

Surprising Side Effects of Drinking Hard Seltzer
If you are a seltzer water fan and you enjoy the occasional cocktail, then you have surely discovered the magic that is hard seltzer. A perfect combo of flavored seltzer water and alcohol, these pre-canned drinks have become a go-to accessory for boat days, beach days, and really any sunny day that calls for a refreshing drink.
Why the sudden rage? For one, these boozy beverages are lower in calories compared to traditional drinks like wine and many beers, in part because they are lower in alcohol content, too. And for folks who are not beer guzzlers or vino aficionados, these hard seltzers are a simple alternative. Many are made with no added sugars and most are free from any artificial ingredients, making them a great option for health-focused folks too. Bonus? They are canned instead of packaged in glass, meaning that they are easy to tote along to whichever locale you are planning on enjoying.
So, what can you expect when you enjoy hard seltzer? Here are five things that can happen to your body when you crack open and sip on a trendy hard seltzer. And for more healthy tips, be sure to check out our list of the 108 Most Popular Sodas Ranked By How Toxic They Are.

08/30/2022

Research on alcohol and ni****ne product advertising, as well as limited research on ma*****na product advertising, demonstrates that exposure to advertising is associated with increased youth use of those products. Voluntary standards that aim to limit alcohol advertising to adult audiences and avoid programs that target youth are clearly inadequate to limit youth exposure, as alcohol ads are pervasive on television, including on sports broadcasts and other programs watched by young people. Similarly, when ni****ne va**ng ads were allowed on television and radio, they served to normalize va**ng, skirt restrictions and encourage behaviors associated with the recent catastrophic youth va**ng epidemic.

08/17/2022

As ma*****na is increasingly commercialized, with more states continuing to legalize it for medical and recreational use, we must not repeat past mistakes from the commercialization of ni****ne and alcohol products that have harmed countless young people. Without proper protections, commercialization normalizes use, increases exposure and access, and emboldens industry to target young users, risking their health and increasing their chances of addiction.

08/16/2022

Studies Warn of These Ma*****na Side Effects
4. Heart Issues
Studies have shown that ma*****na could negatively impact the heart and blood vessels, leading to a possible increased risk of heart attacks and heart failure. "Attitudes towards recreational and medicinal use of cannabis have changed rapidly, and many states have legalized it for medical and/or recreational use. Health care professionals need a greater understanding of the health implications of cannabis, which has the potential to interfere with prescribed medications and/or trigger cardiovascular conditions or events, such as heart attacks and strokes," said Robert L. Page II, Pharm.D., M.S.P.H., FAHA.
5. The Impact On Parenting
Using ma*****na does not necessarily make you a more relaxed parent: One study showed that parents who used cannabis were more likely to administer discipline techniques compared to non-users. "The acceptability of ma*****na is growing in the United States and with that, more parents feel free to use the drug, sometimes even in front of their children," says Bridget Freisthler, professor of social work at The Ohio State University. "Some parents claim it makes them a better, more relaxed parent, but that may not be the case. Ma*****na use is not risk-free. It affects a lot of behaviors, including parenting."

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