VIDEO – IT’S AN INSIDE JOB – March 26, 2024 – “The irony was while I was moving up in my career working on a show about health and wellness and specifically weight loss,” he said, “I was not just a workaholic but I [also] had a giant drinking problem. I really knew how to work hard, come home, and party hard.” Relampagos shared that he took a break from work in entertainment in 2019 to focus on getting better. Now four years sober, and 40 pounds lighter, the TV producer is making some changes in the lives of…
Author: Leonard Buschel
WHEN IT TIME, IT’S TIME – March 29, 2024 – The hip hop artist Shifty Presidents – real name Mark Smith – decided it was time to quit drinking alcohol and stop taking drugs on his 40th birthday. “I made a declaration on January 1, 2024 on social media – so that once I told everyone I was committing to do this. “ I would start every day for the next year with a cold plunge and a motivational message. He also decided to set himself a series of challenges while fundraising for various good causes at the same…
“I have learned you are never too small to make a difference.” – Greta Thunberg
AMERICA’S DARLING – March 18, 2024 – “I think if you develop a moral psychology, things are a lot easier,” Downey, 58, “And I think it’s hard to explain away certain behaviors when there are ways to heal. So I both have a lot of empathy for, and I also am a little bit skeptical about anyone who doesn’t lean into what they can do to improve the state of their compass.” Standing next to him, Downey’s wife Susan adds: “I feel like anyone’s journey, no matter how fraught or positive, whatever it is, it is your journey. There’s…
IT’S NOT GLUE – March 19, 2024 – The woman, who goes by the name Lakeview Living on TikTok, ignited the controversy after speaking with a teacher who related the issues that schools in their area are experiencing with the everyday baking ingredient/ Today, I was talking with one of my teacher friends and she was like, ‘Girl, trying to stay one step ahead of these kids is exhausting,’” the mom recalled, in a post that has spice-racked up 500,000 views in just days. She said that an area school recently had conducted a “backpack check,” during which teachers…
AN APPLE A DAY… – March 18, 2024 – That’s because many of the foods we reach for due to their enticing packaging and convenience are highly processed, which means they’re loaded with unhealthy ingredients and lacking nutritional value. The nutritionalist warns us about sugary beverages, refined grains, processed meat, and ready-to-eat snacks. These foods are some of the hardest to resist, but it’s crucial to limit your intake if you want to lose weight. “Chips, cookies, and candy bars are highly processed snacks with sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories,” Nanavati emphasizes. These snacks not only lack nutritional value…
EUROS FOR INDICA – March 22, 2024 – We did it! Prohibition is over!” Green MP Kirsten Kappert-Gonther wrote. “On April 1, 2024, we will make history and, together with the federal states, end the prohibition of #Cannabis, thereby enabling more youth and health protection.” A bill to legalize marijuana in Germany will be implemented on schedule in April, with lawmakers representing individual states in the Bundesrat declining to refer the legislation to a mediation committee that would have meant setting back the timeline by six months. While the Bundestag passed the cannabis legalization measure in February, there were…
VIDEO – THE RIGHT KIND OF NEEDLE – March 21, 2024 -For Kayla Rath, a correctional officer in the armed forces, this method has made a major difference in her life — both at work and at home. I can say that in the two months since I’ve used the ASP treatment, I’ve been happier, I’ve been healthier, I’ve been more willing and able to go leave the house and do things, and my sleep has improved, which obviously, quality of sleep impacts your daily routine.” Rath says if you have a high stress job, ASP may help reduce…
OR LISTENING TO JAZZ – March 13, 2024 – The gang of pesky rodents became “high” after making their way into the department’s evidence room to nosh on narcotics, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. “The rats are eating our marijuana,” Kirkpatrick told the New Orleans City Council on Monday, CBS News reported. “They’re all high. The dangerous conditions aren’t just in the evidence room. Rats have been spreading feces everywhere, including on employees’ desks, leading to poor working conditions, CBS affiliate WWL-TV reported. Cockroaches have also overrun the facility, according to Kirkpatrick. Among the many maintenance hazards, the…
VIDEO – ONE FROM THE HEART – March 19, 2024 – For years now, a Lexington mother has tried to bring hope to those working towards sobriety. But she came across a disheartening scene this weekend. Pam Stamper started the project in 2020 to honor her late son, Chelis Stamper, who died at just 29 years old. She said she comes to the property often to do upkeep and to make sure it is a welcoming place for those visiting the fence. “This should be a proud place to come. It should be serene,” she said. Stamper said she leases…
ALCOHOLIC BEHAVIOR? – March 19, 2024 – People born of incest may feel like they cannot reproduce for fear of giving birth to a baby with life-threatening genetic anomalies. One such person is 64-year-old Teresa Weiler. She found out in 1985 that her father was her mother’s brother. Meanwhile, Steve Edsel, found out via AncestryDNA that his parents were first-degree relatives, either siblings or father-daughter. The prevalence of incest in the US is far more common than previously thought, with research including common genealogy tests putting the rate at one in 7,000. Dr Jim Wilson, from the University of…
IT’S NOT YOU, IT’S ME ME ME – March 20, 2024 – Narcissism, which involves a strong focus on oneself, can lead to problems in how people connect with their partners. The research breaks down narcissism into two main types: grandiose (where people are very confident and seek attention) and vulnerable (where people are sensitive and insecure). These traits can make romantic relationships challenging because they affect how people interact with their partners. One of the main issues studied is how these narcissistic traits affect the balance of power in a relationship. People with high levels of narcissism often want…
VIDEO – ALL THE RIGHT NOTES – March 12, 2024 – “I’m in a 12-step recovery program and I recorded a song for each step along the way. 12 steps. 12 songs. The album is called ‘The Program.’” “If there’s anyone out there struggling, there is a better life and resources to get there. You just have to ask for help.” Johnny Polygon grew up in Tulsa. His music has been described as a fusion of genres; hip hop, alternative and R&B. On Spotify, his songs “The Fall” and “Dead Meat” have both been streamed over two million times. Over…
VIDEO – JOIN A 12-STEP GROUP? – March 22, 2024 – Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marty Makary discusses a new study that suggests loneliness can lead to premature death on ‘Varney & Co. WATCH@Fox
VIDEO – PLANTING THE SEED OF RECOVERY – March 27, 2024 – Several Midwesterners will break your heart in this “Independent Lens” documentary about farmers dealing with mental health issues. But the one who resonates deepest is Juliette Albrecht. Over the course of four years, we watch as Albrecht struggles to keep her business afloat while battling her cravings for a six-pack of beer before noon. She allows cameras to capture sessions with her sponsor around the kitchen table as well as moments where she contemplates suicide. She and the other featured farmers, who include Chris Petersen of Clear…
DROSS TO GOLD – March 22, 2024 – The Unrefined to Refined Ministry was founded in 2018 to foster and enhance people’s connections with God. This ministry has changed over the years, and in 2021, a revolutionary programme to support persons struggling with addiction was launched as part of an effort to broaden its influence. Known as the 12-Step Programme, this is an endeavour that deviates from standard methods. It combines individual and group treatment, offering a thorough framework to those, who are ready to overcome the limitations of substance misuse or any type of addiction. Giving individuals the…
VIDEO – LAUGHTER HEALS – March 22, 2024 – Stocked with alcohol-free refreshments, the Well Studios venue is set for another showcase night. Levesque’s dreams of a career in entertainment were derailed at a young age because of drinking. Now three-and-a-half years sober, and making a comeback. “It really started to affect my relationships, my job, my housing,” Levesque said. “The beauty thing about sobriety is that those things still exist and you can take them back.” This pop-up night spot, which has become a permanent weekly feature, is offering an alternative for people in recovery and the sober curious.…
BOTTOMS DOWN – March 23, 2024 – The Today Extra host said he had been gifted some Crystal Head vodka by legendary actor Dan Aykroyd and had drank it at home. In the morning, the 50-year-old was sick – and he was ashamed that his son, Leo, who was three at the time, saw this.Now he has 10 years sober. ‘I heard Leo say, “Oh, Dad’s not well.” I’m hugging the porcelain bowl, and you’re thinking in your head, no, no, no, I don’t want to be sick. He can’t see this. He can’t register this as a core…
FUNNY BUNNY – March 14, 2024 – When it comes to youngsters, studies reveal that 43 per cent of children will eat their first egg before Easter Sunday, with almost a fifth (19 per cent) admitting they will most likely make themselves ill by overeating. Dr Claire said that cheap Easter eggs have ‘lots of artificial ingredients added to them that you wouldn’t typically find in a kitchen’ due to their low costs. She explained: ‘In particular it will contain emulsifiers, thickening agents, gelling agents and E numbers. ‘Ultra-processed chocolates have very little cocoa in, and are mainly a…
SECRETS STEAL SUGARPLUMS – March 22, 2024 – A DeFuniak Springs native says she had to find her voice to overcome addiction. Newschannel 7 highlights an overcomer of addiction in the Freedom Friday segment. “I was birthed into a family of addicts. There was a lot of mental and physical abuse in my childhood, not necessarily with me, but like with my mom. It was really chaotic. “At the age of 15, I started using meth. I was an IV user, and that lasted for about 17 years,” she explained. The next thing to be silenced was her relationship with…
WORKING HIS FIST STEP – March 22, 2024 – The “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?” star admitted that one turning point was his “near-death experience” in 2021 when he figured in a police car chase and collision, during which his vehicle also got shot at. “When you almost died, you start to look at life differently,” he said. The ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?’ star admits that his ‘near-death experience’ in 2021, when he figured in a police car chase and collision, made him do a ‘hard stop’ on drinking. – STAR Photo “When you get shot at by the…
IT CAN HAPPEN TO BOYS – March 1, 2024 – Eating disorders have the second-highest mortality rate of any mental illness. And yet, they’re often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed because of stereotypes and stigmas encountered by patients. However, recent research shows a rise in pediatric eating disorder hospitalizations between April 2002 and March 2020, with one of the largest relative changes in rates being among males — a population significantly overlooked. The takeaway of the study was that “existing eating disorder programs must adapt to accommodate changing patient presentations.” It sounds simpler than it is, as diagnosing eating disorders has…
PRISM VISION – March 20, 2024 – As a reporter covering psychedelic medicine for the Health and Science desk at The New York Times, the drugs that often command my attention are familiar to any veteran psychonaut: ketamine; LSD; psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms”; and MDMA, also known as Molly or Ecstasy. Many of these psychoactive substances have been the subjects of research for years, if not decades. And a growing tranche of scientific evidence suggests these drugs have the potential to treat some mental health issues, among them depression, substance abuse and eating disorders. But research on psychedelics has…
NUDGE FROM THE JUDGE – Friday, March 22, 2024 – I haven’t drank any alcohol, smoked any weed or anything in, like, 72 days,” the comedian, 44, said on Friday, March 22. The actress has learned some valuable lessons throughout her foray into sobriety. “I’m learning now, like, I had friends that used to drink and stuff when I was a teenager and they used to do drugs and all that, but it wasn’t really something I was into. I just thought it was that one person’s problem,” she said. “And now, with my journey, I’m learning that it’s an…
HIJACKED BRAINS – March 22, 2024 – Teenagers are inundated with notifications, with one study estimating they get 237 pings a day. “Smartphones and social media fundamentally changed the way teens spend their time outside of school,” says Jean Twenge, a psychologist and author of “Generations. “You take a generation of young people, they’re spending a lot more times in their rooms, alone, not sleeping, not hanging out with their friends in person. That’s a pretty bad formula for mental health.” By the numbers: While the teen mental health crisis was slowly developing in the early 2000s, it rapidly…
WIN SOME, LOSE A LOT MORE – March 20, 2024 – Attorneys that represent Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani have accused his longtime interpreter with the theft of millions of dollars of his funds to use for illegal gambling. They say Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s interpreter since he joined MLB in 2018, engaged in “massive theft” of Ohtani’s money to make bets with bookmaker Matthew Bowyer. “In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities,” said a statement from…
POINT SPREADS ARE SEXY – March 23, 2024 – The firing of Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend after allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the Japanese baseball player is shining renewed attention on compulsive gambling. The team fired interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, who has been Ohtani’s constant companion since the star came to the U.S in 2017, on Wednesday after reports about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well over $1 million. The law firm representing Ohtani said in a statement that he had been the victim of “massive theft.” Mizuhara…
AUDIO – THE HOMELESS SHELTERS TOO? – March 21, 2024 – “We really want to get health and harm reduction folks out there with the counselors to really try to offer people options to get into therapy and treatments so they can kind of break the cycle of narcotic abuse.” “When I look back over the last two years and think about things, these overdoses tend to steadily increase every few weeks, a couple more, a couple more, a couple more. And then the police department and the DEA and all the folks in law enforcement make a publicized arrest.…
VIDEO – THEIR COMPLETION OF REALITY – March 22, 2024 – The CDC has not yet reported overdose numbers for 2023, although provisional data through the first 10 months of the year suggest overdose deaths continued to be stable last year. In an effort to prevent drug overdoses and deaths in young people, the American Medical Association has called for school staff to “put naloxone in schools so it can save lives.” The association also issued a statement in conjunction with other organizations encouraging states, schools and local communities to allow students to carry naloxone in schools of all grade…
CHILDHOOD CANCELED – March 21, 2024 – “Suppose that when your first child turned ten, a visionary billionaire whom you’ve never met chose her to join the first permanent human settlement on Mars … Would you let her go?” ??? Jonathan Haidt argues in his book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” that parents have made a similar bargain with Big Tech — by sending children to a virtual planet for untold hours every day. Haidt, a NYU Stern professor of ethical leadership, writes that the past decade has seen…