You’re preparing for music festival season and considering your options – what artists you ought to see, who’s going, what outfits you will need, how you will get there, and maybe what substances you propose to take.

Have you heard about ketamineI’ve thought of trying it out and perhaps played around with it a couple of times. You could have friends who’ve tried it or use it frequently.

In fact, data released today suggests that ketamine consumption in Australia is at levels highest level of all time.

Here are five things it’s essential learn about ketamine (and other substances) to maintain you and your folks protected this party season.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine was developed in the Nineteen Sixties and is widely used as an anesthetic for humans and veterinary medicine. More recently, ketamine has been utilized in medicine in small doses for pain relief and as an antidepressant. A growing number (*5*)clinical trials are investigating whether it could be a useful adjunct to psychotherapy for substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Ketamine is used recreationally, often known as K, special vitamin K, vitamin K, kit kat or ket. It is commonly sold as a white powder that is inhaled, producing stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.

Taking an excessive amount of may cause unpleasant and disturbing effects called the “K-hole”. This happens when people feel disconnected from their body and surroundings, experiencing a sleep-like state (often known as dissociation).

Other effects include nausea, vomiting and in some cases convulsions. One study found that ketamine can irritate the bladder lining approximately every fourth People who used ketamine recreationally experienced urinary symptoms reminiscent of burning or stinging.

Why is ketamine consumption so high?

Ketamine continues to turn out to be the drug of alternative for many individuals in the party scene.

Australian National Drug Strategy 2022-2023 Household Survey estimated Over the past 12 months, 300,000 people in the community have used ketamine. That’s about triple the 2016 figure and is near estimates 400,000 people using MDMA.

Results from across Australia released today show that levels of ketamine released into sewage were at an all-time high, each in capital cities and in regional areas.

It is unclear why ketamine use is increasing. Perhaps this is since it is barely cheaper than other drugs reminiscent of cocaine. Perhaps the dissociative effects of ketamine are attracting the attention of those excited about altered states of consciousness. It might also be perceived as safer and more acceptable on account of its increasing medical use.

Is it ketamine or something else?

In Australia, the purity of ketamine varies greatly. What you purchase will likely contain other substances, so it’s difficult to know what you are getting and the way it would affect you.

Ketamine analogues are substances with a chemical structure much like ketamine, but producing different effects. Many of those analogues were found during drug checking (also often known as pill testing). These include CanKet and roofing (veterinary sedative).

These analogues may go slower (so people could also be tempted to take more). Their effects may last more than regular ketamine.

You might also have heard of “pink cocaine”, one in all several drugs linked to: recent death former One Direction singer Liam Payne. Pink cocaine is normally a mix of ketamine and MDMA, not cocaine. This too often known as tusi.

Worryingly, in Australia, strong opioid drugs called nitazines have also been detected in ketamine. They have also been detected in cocaine and MDMA.

Can ketamine result in addiction?

Regular use of ketamine can result in psychological addiction, where people feel a robust must use even in the event that they have already begun to experience harmful effects.

Although the numbers are relatively low, an increasing number young people in the UK are looking for treatment for using ketamine. In addition to liver and brain damage, chronic (long-term) ketamine use may result bladder damagewhich can require surgery.

Avoid using ketamine frequently and seek skilled help early in case you think you would like help along with your use.

How to remain protected

1. Check your drugs

In Australia, drug checking services can be found in some areas. These non-judgmental, friendly services can test your medicine when you wait, supplying you with necessary details about what is (or is not) in it. You can then resolve what you ought to do with it.

You can go to a hard and fast site reminiscent of CanTest in the Australian Capital Territory or Checkpoint in Queensland before the festival to check his drugs. Some festivals or events have such elements on-site servicesincluding this 12 months’s students on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

You also can look out for local drug alerts (for ketamine and other drugs on the market) posted on web sites like ours – TheKnow.org.au.

2. Start low, go slow

If you propose to take ketamine (or another drug), start with a small amount to feel the effects before taking more. Wait a couple of hours before re-administration.

3. Avoid mixing medications

Avoid using ketamine with other substances as they might interact and increase the risk of harm. Alcohol and ketamine in small doses it may cause nausea and vomiting, and in larger doses it may cause more serious effects reminiscent of stroke and cardiac arrest.

When mixed with ketamine, sedatives reminiscent of GHB, opioids, and benzodiazepines (for instance, Valium) may cause lack of consciousness, difficulty respiratory, and in some cases, death.

4. Tell your folks

If you propose to use ketamine, use it with people you are feeling protected with. Let others know what you took, and if possible, take a friend with you who doesn’t use. If you’re concerned about the effects of a drug, seek help.

Music festivals often have supporting teams of individuals with experience with drug use (e.g DanceWize). These peers can offer you advice on safer partying and drug use.

5. Be prepared

Because ketamine may contain opioids, everyone must be prepared to acknowledge the symptoms of an opioid overdose – disturbance or lack of consciousness, slow or difficult respiratory.

Naloxone can and does reverse the effects of an opioid overdose available freed from charge and and not using a prescription in some pharmacies in Australia.

Matcha’s popularity has increased in recent months, resulting in reports of: global shortages and price increases.

If you are not crazy yet, matcha is a powdered version of green tea. On the cafe’s menu, chances are you’ll see a hot or iced matcha latte, and even a matcha-flavored cake or cookie. A fast Google appears countless recipes containing matcha, each sweet and spicy.

Retailers and cafe owners they suggested The predominant reasons for matcha’s popularity are its Instagrammable appearance and alleged health benefits.

But what are the health benefits of matcha? Here’s what the evidence says.

First of all, what is matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground powder of green tea leaves that come from the plant. It is the same plant from which green and black tea are produced. However, production process distinguishes matcha from green and black tea.

In the case of matcha, the tea is grown in the shade. After harvesting, the leaves are steamed and dried, and the stems are removed. The leaves are then fastidiously ground at a controlled temperature to acquire a powder.

The production process for green tea is simpler. Leaves are collected from unshaded plants, heated and dried. We then soak the dried leaves in hot water to make tea (whereas with matcha, the whole leaf is consumed).

In the case of black tea, the leaves are exposed to air after being picked, which results in oxidation. This turns the leaves black and offers the tea a different flavor.

Source of phytonutrients

Phytonutrients are chemical compounds present in plants which have a number of benefits for human health. Matcha comprises several.

Chlorophyll gives plants, amongst others, green color. There is some evidence that chlorophyll can have health benefits – amongst others anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-obesity – as a result of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that damage our cells.

Theanine has been shown to improve sleep AND reduce stress and anxiety. Only other known Mushrooms are a dietary source of theanine.

Caffeine is a phytonutrient that we all know well. In addition to increasing alertness, caffeine has also been shown to extend alertness antioxidant effect and a few protection against a range of chronic and neurodegenerative diseases. However, an excessive amount of caffeine can have negative unwanted effects.

Interestingly, the plants seem like shading during cultivation change the dietary composition leaf and should result in higher levels of these nutrients in matcha in comparison with green tea.

Another compound value mentioning are catechins, of which there are several differing types. Matcha powder similarly comprises more catechins than green tea. They are powerful antioxidants that have been shown have a protective effect against bacteria, viruses, allergies, inflammation and cancer. Catechins are also found in apples, blueberries and strawberries.

What are the real health benefits?

We know that matcha comprises a variety of phytonutrients, but does this translate into any noticeable health benefits?

A review published in 2023 identified only five experimental studies that gave people matcha. In these studies, participants received roughly 2–4 g of matcha per day (reminiscent of 1–2 teaspoons of matcha powder) in comparison with a placebo, in the form of a capsule, tea or food. Matcha reduces stress and anxiety and improves memory and cognitive functions. It had no effect on the mood.

AND newer study showed that 2 g of matcha in elderly people aged 60 to 85 improved sleep quality. However, in younger people aged 27 to 64, in one other study matcha had little effect on sleep.

AND research in individuals with obesity found no difference in weight reduction observed between the matcha group and the control group. This study didn’t randomize participants, and other people knew which group they were placed in.

One could hypothesize that, given that you’re going to eat the whole leaf and that levels of some nutrients could also be higher as a result of growing conditions, matcha can have more dietary benefits than green tea. However, to my knowledge, there has not been a direct comparison of the health effects of green tea versus matcha.

There is a lot of evidence about the effects of green tea

Although a limited number of studies have examined matcha to this point and none have compared matcha to green tea, there is quite a bit of research on the health benefits of drinking green tea.

AND systematic review of 21 studies on green tea showed similar benefits to matcha in improving memory, in addition to evidence of improving mood.

There is also evidence that green tea provides other health benefits. Systematic reviews have shown that green tea results in: weight reduction in individuals with obesitylower level some types of cholesterolAND lowered blood pressure. Green tea can too reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

So for those who cannot reach for matcha right away, drinking green tea may be a good option to get your caffeine fix.

Although the evidence for green tea gives us some clues about the health benefits of matcha, we cannot ensure that they will probably be the same. Nevertheless, in case your local coffee shop has a large supply of matcha, there is nothing to say that you should not still enjoy matcha drinks.

However, it is best to save lots of the matcha croissant or cronut for special occasions. Adding matcha to foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat may negate any health benefits which may be attributed to matcha.

Maxine Waters is a political titan. Waters, a Democratic House representative representing California’s forty third Congressional District, is currently serving her seventeenth term. She was re-elected last night. This powerhouse is the oldest of all Black women currently serving in Congress. Waters has gained respect as an advocate for ladies, children, people of color, the poor, veterans and the elderly. Congresswoman Waters was the primary woman and Black to chair the House Financial Services Committee. Notably, she chaired the Congressional Black Caucus from 1997 to 1999.

This beloved representative has been revered across generations for her infectious personality and policy changes that move America forward. Throughout her political profession, Waters has also been a mode aficionado. Power jumpsuits have at all times been her selection to specific her commitment to making a wardrobe suitable for somebody who’s always on the go but additionally has time for business. She wore different jackets in lots of her style moments. Sometimes she wears blouses that exude femininity and elegance. When it involves red carpet appearances, she prefers statement dresses. Otherwise, her favorite solution can also be slim mid-length skirts.

One of our favourite photos of Congresswoman Waters is from the Nineties. In it, she poses in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., wearing a double-breasted red jacket with gold embellishments, a black crew-neck dress underneath, large gold earrings, an identical watch and a press release ring. This look exudes strength, change and resilience. Emulating this key ’90s style effortlessly channels Congresswoman Waters’ energy. For over twenty years, Waters has been making a difference in our community.

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