Short(lexically) and sweet(southern iced tea) social deformity

Silence and humility minimizes mystery. 

We are all essentially the same. We are nobodies; but collectively, we are as we should be: perfect, dynamic, strong. Independently, we are a fallible people. It's part of the design. The atoms which compose us aren't human alone. It is requisite that there be enough of them, and other factors for them to create the imperfect flesh that we see as human. 

If we were to visualise a single person as being a single atom, it should be easy to put in perspective the importance of the billions of people that populate the world today. (Deem me crazy if you like. I assure you that's not a unique opinion.) 

It seems as if there exist some natural  intent of humanly oneness. The separation of these atoms facilitates the separation of life, as we know it--or do we know it? 

But this understanding is contrary to  what we want. I shouldn't be elaborating on the cohesion of humanity. We don't want to converse about atoms, we much rather fancy how we could atomically bomb--socially. And we appear to be somewhat at work at it. 

As an individual, I can admit that I like a good fight. Sometimes I might prefer to watch a bout from the comfort of my couch (or bar stool. Cheers to that), and at seldom times I like to go a few rounds myself.  

However, my individual and minute quarrelsome nature isn't our problem. We don't spar as a whole--we war, and there are no handshakes involved. Well we handshake politically, but its bullshit. 

As I've asserted, we are nonetheless the same in our nothingness. But such a humble idea isn't soluble in some of the acidic ideals many of have in our heads. We find it necessary to sequester ourselves. We form perforations where none are needed--and those who aren't malleable are targets. 

 The nonverbal communication of the "in crowd" is almost deafening; and if we were to tune down the volume, what we would hear is infantile mockery.  We cringe at the non-elitist, the independents--independence--one of our ever so esteemed tenets of America. 

One of the most popular(and loosely used) adages is "ignorance is bliss". Most of us are ignorant of faults of our own. Some of us disguise our transgressions by illuminating the troubles of others. I find bliss in being thought ignorant; it's those times especially that people unintentionally shower me with information, saving me effort. 

What if ordinary  nobodies were required to have a Juris Doctor degree before they could judge ordinary nobodies? With proper illumination, dirt is evident on anyone, but that's not law or anything. 

-sreehc, DeRrIcK aNtOnIo

I Think I Can--nabis

We live in a chemical world, in this pharmaceutical day and age. Many of these chemicals can have deleterious effects on health, while others are as harmless as some of the endogenous chemicals of the body, such as our endorphins.

The pharmaceutical that I have chosen to expound upon requires no formal introduction, as it is ubiquitously known. Whether we like it or not, cannabis is a household name. Or perhaps one might be a mite more familiar with its less Latin  name --WEED.

What's my position? I'd delight in telling you. I hope to, through the presentation of objective information, and humoured opinion, demonstrate that Mary Jane isn't as evil as people mention her to be. I am not implying her innocence, as much as I'm alluding to the undue derision she faces. Should one be qualified to judge? Well, I'd venture to say hell yes (no pun intended on the devil's lettuce). If someone  wishes to offer opinions opposing its medicinal and/or recreational use, I'd at least like for them to have invested time in research. I will concede in advance, that requiring someone to have had used marijuana before they are qualified to opine against it, hints at bias. Therefore, research and conversation shall suffice. Telling someone not to do something because it is bad, is a very impoverished reason not to do something. Some things necessitate a bit of elaboration.

What is marijuana?
As mentioned in past lines, marijuana is known in the botanical world as Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. It is possible to hybridize the said two to produce a multitude of other strains. These two seem to be the main bunch.

Sativas are known to grow much taller than Indicas, reaching just over four metres. Indicas are the denser, bushier of the two, and reportedly cause a different euphoria than Sativa. This is due to it having different concentrations of the cannabinoid CBD --one of the chemicals that will be an instrumental part of the coming lines.

What causes the high (euphoria)?
Behind the scenes and smoke screen, there are a few things known as cannabinoids that induce that psychoactive effects on the brain. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is likely the most familiar cannabinoid to persons who use marijuana, and to those who enforce legislation against it; THC is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in the plant. When THC is derived from plants, its deemed a phytocannabinoid, and is to be called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. I mention this because there's a form of cannabinoid in another well known place -- the human body. They are called endocannabinoids, produced endogenously by us and other animals (yes you are an animal, get over it, Go Darwin!).

Another cannabinoid contributing psychoactively is Cannabidiol, often writen shorthandedly as CBD. It comes second in being the most plentiful cannabinoid in marijuana. CBD has slightly different influences, in that it is psychoactive, but not quite intoxicating. Yes that is possible. When seeking marijuana for medicinal use, such a characteristic might be attractive to persons looking to mitigate their medical woes without experiencing a high. Speaking of medicinal use, cannabis offers a sincere promise, in respect to it being a treatment for an array of ailments.

Medical Application:
Researchers at the University of California Center for Medicinal cannabis Research have been diligently at work studying the notorious plant. And as you may suspect, or perhaps not, the "buzz" is actually true--that cannabis indeed proves itself in the field of medicine.

Regarding pain, cannabis demonstrated not only that it can quell pain, but also augment the effects of prescription medication. A doctor at UC San Francsco (Dr. Donald Abrams), and one from UC San Diego (Dr. Ronald Ellis), found this to be true when marijuna was administered to HIV and AIDS patients. The subjects reported a significant decrease in pain--pain that could be brought about by the simplest of stimuli.

In another blog post, I spoke of a handful of unfortunate truths tethered to cancer. I then attempted to elevate spirits by bringing the news of the latest scientific research aimed at eradicating cancer, to the eye of the everyday person--my two readers. Stem cells were the good news then.

As of now, it is cannabinoids. In numerous studies, they showed remarkable  ability to restore appetite in terminal cancer battling patients. One particular study, led by Dr. Wendy Wismer of the University of Alberta, provides an appreciable illustration. In her study, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and a placebo was administered to a 21 person group. Intuitive to many of us, the ones who were treated with THC experiened a heightened appreciation of food. For those who lack the desire to nourish themselves,  due to cancer, or the powerful medicines used to treat it, this is a wonderful thing.

Scientists have discovered that CBD alone has tons of rewarding properties and uses, remember--we cannot point the scolding finger at its use as an excuse to get stoned; CBD differs from THC in a notable way. It's much less intoxicating. Some even use such language as "non intoxicating".

Cannabidiol has been found to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, and anti-spasm properties. Its anti-spasm properties has earned the attention of many doctors who believe that it could treat epilepsy. It does. However, the government doesn't see it this way.

What the GOVERNMENT say:
It is as simple as this: the government has their arms folded like a tot coming down off a temper tantrum. Cannabis is illegal in almost every state in the U.S. Whitehouse.gov maintains that marijuana is a harmful, schedule 1 drug. By definition, a schedule 1 drug has high potential for abuse, and hasn't any currently accepted medical use in the united states. Well, most politicians aren't scientists, science advocates, or doctors. It isn't requisite that they are. But it would be appreciated if some of them didn't keep their minds so debilitatingly closed.

The website goes on to explain how heavy, "chronic" use of the drug can be problematic, with regards to health. From what orifice are they speaking? Researchers and decent persons of sound minds, aren't endorsing massive, "chronic" use. If you understand that your bottle of Centrum helps to promote good health, and you ingst the entire contents of the bottle, then you are an imbecile.

I urge the government, on a federal level, to go a step farther than legislation. They should take huge leaps in educating themselves in the groundbreaking advancements in science, and find the key that they seemed to have misplaced, the moment they closed their minds. Maybe then they could be more qualified in disseminating mandates, and general information to the American people. We need to know more than what we are forbidden to do.

Now, guess who is a perfect candidate for a urinalysis now--this guy. Oh well, I've gone to the loo in court before. And I did it pro se.
-sreehc, Derrick Antonio

Nasty Cancer and The Grand Potential of Stem Cells

It is with ease that I revere our foot soldiers who have been summoned to battle. I especially lend unwavering empathy to those combating an inextinguishable, mental, and emotional flame that painfully burns within their memory, complicating life. 

However, with my rather peculiar way of thinking, the above thought led me to think of another very real war, one that has existed for as long a time as we have--this is none other than the gruesome war on disease. 

We often neglect to adequately appreciate the scientists, physicians, and persons whose bodies are reluctantly the host to these dreadful illnesses.  They are inarguably the most courageous of all. 

Herein, I will shed light light on the darkness of cancer. And speak to the promising research of stem cells, which may be microscopic, but are nonetheless huge due their potential to revolutionize medicine. 

MORTALITY: 

This year alone, more than 1.4 million people have battled cancer to their last literal breath. Too add to the gloom, the World Health Organization has projected that an estimated 9 million people will perish in 2015, due to this pathological beast. 

HOW DOES CANCER PROVE LETHAL?:

Malignant growth not only compromises the health of the particular organ that it parasitises, but it could metastasize (spread to other areas of the body). Just as we require sustenance to power our biological machines, each cell of our body independently has the same taste for nutrients. And any amount of nutrients requisite to facilitate angiogenesis is utterly gluttonous; these antagonistic cells deserve to feed on no one. 

Because cancer cells cannot grow very large alone, they rob nearby blood vessels. They do so by delivering signals that cause the neighbouring vessels to sprout toward them, thereby establishing a direct source of nourishment. 

If said cells were on a vital organ, it should be conceivable how such a stealing of its nutrients could jeopardize the organ. Moreover, as cancerous tumours grow,  they could physically obstruct necessary processes by their size alone. Visualise cancer in the digestive system, for example. If it is largely the function of the digestive system to allow the body to absorb nutrients, and there's a malignant growth in part of the intestine, it's quite clear how this could be life threatening. If one cannot properly absorb sustenance, then life would be difficult to sustain. 

MODERN SCIENCE:

While I am a huge advocate of antioxidants and healthy eating habits (irrespective of my fat kid snacks), which are too proven to lessen to a degree, one's chances at cancer--via round house kicking free radicals--recent research have taken it medically to another level. This is partly through the study of stem cells. 

Firstly, what are these stem cell thingamajigs I speak of? Stem cells are cells (duh) that haven't specialised to form a specific tissue of the body--differentiated cells. 

There are a few select methods of obtaining these undifferentiated cells: Through a process, namely pheresis, stem cells can be extracted from the blood of a donor.  --This isn't quite hemophobe  friendly; my condolences. Another rather invasive method of extraction is harvesting. This involves the drilling into bone to extract the cellular nectar. And then there's the god forbidden embryonic stem cells. As some of you may know, this is the most controversial of the methods of extraction that are practiced. It poses ethical questions that are difficult to reach agreement on. The Catholic Church are known for their strong opposition to embryonic stem cell research, and according to whom you speak with, they are opposed to stem cell research as a whole. 

STEM CELLS FIGHTING CANCER!!

In Japan, researchers have brilliantly demonstrated that it is indeed possible to make cancer specific immune system cells. These disease fighting cells were engineered from induced pluripotent stem cells. Generally these sort of cells originate from an adult somatic cell--a non-pluripotent cell. It might also be worth it to add that induced pluripotent cells are artificially derived, hence the "induced"? 

THE BRAINS:

Shinya Yamanaka, and British scientist John B.  Gurdon, were awarded the 2012 Nobel prize for physiology or medicine, for discovering that they can reprogram mature cells to become pluripotent stem cells. 

Researchers were able to create cancer-specific T lymphocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells. This is bad news (FoxNews) for some cancer. 

Yamanaka found that with utilising four pieces of DNA--known now as Yamanaka factors--adult skin cells could be induced to revert back to a pluripotent state, in which state they can become any cell in the body! This is medically beautiful. 

I hope that we can dramatically reduce the number of tears lost due to mourning the loss of loved ones to cancer world wide. As science grows and tumours progressively shrink, resulting from the progression of science, I have sufficient reason to be optimistic. 

-sreehc

Derrick Antonio