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On cigarettes
23 days ago
- Cigarettes are described as having negative aspects such as unpleasant odor and health risks, including lung cancer, but also possess an aesthetic appeal.
- Smoking can foster connections between strangers through sharing cigarettes or lighters in a prosocial, non-judgmental way.
- While society benefits from reduced smoking, something may be lost culturally; cigars are dismissed negatively.
- A single cigarette raises carbon monoxide in the blood by 4%, and carbon monoxide packaging for meat was developed in Norway.
- Nicotine from traditional products like gum or patches had low addiction rates, but vaping atomizes ingredients like VG and PG, which may harm lung cells.
- Vaping highlights gaps in global health expertise, partly due to reliance on patented drugs and legal complexities.
Many US cities will see record overnight temperatures
7 days ago
- Another week of blistering heat will bring increased health risks, with many U.S. cities expected to break overnight temperature records.
- Health experts warn that high overnight temperatures are more dangerous than daytime heat because they prevent the body from cooling down and recovering.
- More than 90 temperature records across the U.S. are predicted to be tied or broken this week, with most being overnight heat records.
- Overnight temperatures are forecast to remain above 80°F in several southern cities and above 70°F in parts of the Midwest and Northeast.
- High body temperatures from persistent heat can lead to heatstroke and strain on the heart, especially affecting the elderly and vulnerable communities.
- Mortality risks during heat waves often start on the second or third day due to the body's inability to cool down, highlighting the need for proactive measures.
- Early warning signs of heat-related illness include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, and headaches.
- Experts recommend finding ways to cool off, such as using air conditioning, applying cold towels, and checking on vulnerable friends and family.
- Even without air conditioning, relief can be found by visiting public spaces like libraries, using fans with water spray, soaking clothes, and drinking plenty of water.
People are turning themselves into lab rats': peptides craze the US
21 hours ago
- Grey-market injectable peptides (e.g., BPC-157, GHK-Cu) are unregulated substances bought online from overseas dealers, often labeled 'for research purposes only' as a legal loophole.
- They are popular among biohackers, tech workers, and athletes for claimed benefits like injury recovery, performance enhancement, weight loss, and anti-aging, despite lacking FDA approval and reliable safety data.
- Peptides are short amino acid chains involved in bodily functions; some are synthetic versions of natural proteins, but evidence of therapeutic benefits in humans is insufficient, with pharmaceutical companies not investing in R&D.
- Risks include allergic reactions, unintended activation of harmful pathways, potential acceleration of undiagnosed cancers, acromegaly, injection-site issues, sepsis, and adverse effects from added chemical components.
- Suppliers often avoid liability through disclaimers, leaving users as 'guinea pigs.' Increased interest is driven by social media, influencers, and frustration with conventional recovery, but doctors advise cessation and emphasize proper diagnosis, rehab, and lifestyle fundamentals.

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#health-risks

On cigarettes

Many US cities will see record overnight temperatures

People are turning themselves into lab rats': peptides craze the US