Low-level Laser Therapy: A safer alternative to weight-loss drugs

Photo provided

StatePoint - Weight-loss drugs have skyrocketed in popularity because of their quick results and use among celebrities and influencers. J.P. Morgan predicts that by 2030, 30 million Americans will use them.

However, some medical providers say the drugs’ hidden health risks may not be worth their benefits.

“Weight loss is so often prescribed to improve health,” said Dr. Cesar Lara, a board-certified medical bariatric physician. “The irony is that many of today’s weight-loss medications bring forth their own set of serious risk factors.”

Hidden risks
A growing number of weight-loss drug users report side effects including nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, fatigue, depression and suicidal ideation.

And because these drugs are relatively new for weight-loss purposes, questions linger about their long-term impacts.

Lara said patients considering the drugs should know their potential side effects and alternative options.

“I would advise any patient of mine who needs or desires to lose weight to investigate safe options, like low-level lasers, and to understand the risks of taking medications that could potentially compromise their health,” Lara said.

Safer alternatives
Low-level lasers are a non-invasive, pain-free option for people seeking safer weight-loss treatment.

For example, the Emerald Laser, an FDA-cleared low-level laser for fat loss and body contouring, is additionally FDA-cleared for treating obesity, making it a good choice for those with a lot of weight to lose. The Zerona, also an FDA-cleared low-level laser for fat loss and body contouring, has over-the-counter clearance for overall body circumference reduction, providing a way to quickly target stubborn areas of fat.

Both lasers create temporary tiny pores in fatty cells to release fat, which the body’s lymphatic system naturally removes. Ultimately, the lasers shrink fat cells without damaging them.

This controlled approach helps ensure optimal results in target areas such as the waist, chest or back and requires no recovery time.

Unlike many other weight-loss treatments, lasers do not elevate plasma lipids, triglycerides or cholesterol. They also don’t cause bruising or swelling.

Fat-loss laser treatments are often available at doctors’ offices, chiropractors, spas, health centers and fitness centers. To find a location near you or to offer a laser service at your business, visit fatlosslasers.com.

When considering your weight-loss options, prioritize safe, non-invasive treatments with no side effects.



Letter to the Editor |
Will Illinois lawmakers heed Oregon's failed experiment

Dear Editor,

In 2020, Oregon voters decriminalized possession of small amounts of almost every hard drug. Progressives campaigned in support of this ballot measure, insisting that their state should help treat addiction rather than punish it. The measure passed with 58 percent support.

Now, Oregon's governor has declared a drug emergency, as overdose deaths have been climbing year after year and Democratic lawmakers who first pushed to decriminalize drugs are admitting it isn't working.

Even The New York Times acknowledges that it is out of control, saying in a recent article, “Portland used to be known as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. But in recent years, the city has been struggling with widespread fentanyl use on its streets, which has led to an increase in homeless encampments and crime.”

Writing in Newsweek, former Presidential drug policy advisor Kevin Sabet says that even while the declaration of a "state of emergency is a step in the right direction, more must be done to undo the harm..."

Will Illinois lawmakers, including self-styled "libertarians," heed this experiment gone awry? Public policies have consequences. Decriminalization leads to more overdose deaths, more crime and more public drug use.


David E. Smith, Executive Director
Illinois Family Institute


Study finds two common types of antidepressants were safe for most stroke survivors

Researchers looked at the frequency of serious bleeding among hundreds of thousands of stroke survivors who took different types of SSRI and/or SNRI antidepressants.

DALLAS — Most stroke survivors were able to safely take two types of common antidepressants, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2024. The meeting will be held in Phoenix, Feb. 7-9, and is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health.

Among people with ischemic (clot-caused) stroke, those who began taking an antidepressant known as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and/or an SNRI (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) for the common conditions of post-stroke depression and anxiety, did not have an increased risk of hemorrhagic (bleeds) stroke or other serious bleeding. This included people taking anticoagulation medications. There was, however, an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke among stroke patients taking two anti-platelet medications, also called dual anti-platelet therapy or DAPT.

“Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are very common yet treatable conditions that may develop after a stroke. Our results should reassure clinicians that for most stroke survivors, it is safe to prescribe SSRI and/or SNRI antidepressants early after stroke to treat post-stroke depression and anxiety, which may help optimize their patients’ recovery,” said study lead author Kent P. Simmonds, D.O., Ph.D., a third-year physical medicine and rehabilitation resident at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. “However, caution is needed when considering the risk-benefit profile for stroke patients receiving dual anti-platelet therapy because we did find an increased risk of bleeding among this group.”

According to the American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2024 Update, when considered separately from other cardiovascular diseases, stroke ranks fifth among all causes of death, behind diseases of the heart, cancer, COVID-19 and unintentional injuries/accidents. Approximately one-third of stroke survivors develop poststroke depression. If left untreated, depression may affect quality of life and reduce the chances for optimal poststroke recovery such as returning to their usual daily living activities without assistance.

The most common classes of antidepressants are SSRIs or SNRIs, and they are widely used and effective for treating anxiety and depression. However, they may not be prescribed at all or early enough after a stroke, when the risk of depression or anxiety is particularly high, due to concerns that they may increase the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke or other serious types of bleeding.

Researchers looked at the frequency of serious bleeding among hundreds of thousands of stroke survivors who took different types of SSRI and/or SNRI antidepressants (such as sertraline, fluoxetine, citalopram, venlalfaxine). Serious bleeding was defined as bleeding in the brain, digestive tract; and shock, which occurs when bleeding prevents blood from reaching the body’s tissues.

Researchers also investigated serious bleeding among stroke survivors who took antidepressants combined with different types of blood-thinning medications that are used to prevent future blood clots. These blood-thinning medications may include either anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications. Anticoagulants are prescribed as a single medication and include medications such as warfarin, apixaban and rivaroxaban. Antiplatelet medications may be prescribed as either a single medication (commonly aspirin) or two types of antiplatelet medications can be used in dual antiplatelet therapy. DAPT includes aspirin plus another antiplatelet medication called a P2Y12 inhibitor (such as clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor).

The study found:

  • SSRI and SNRIs were generally safe to start during the important early stages of recovery as patients taking these medications were not more likely to develop serious bleeding compared to stroke survivors who did not take an antidepressant. This included ischemic stroke patients who are also taking anti-coagulation therapy.
  • An increased risk of serious bleeding occurred when SSRIs or SNRIs were taken in combination with DAPT treatments (aspirin and blood thinners). However, the overall risk remained low as serious bleeding events were rare.
  • Among ischemic stroke patients on antidepressant medications, there was a 15% increase in the risk of serious bleeding when taking medications from classes such as mirtazapine, bupropion and tricyclics compared to SSRI/SNRIs.
  • “Maximizing rehabilitation early after a stroke is essential because recovery is somewhat time-dependent, and most functional gains occur during the first few months after a stroke,” Simmonds said. “Fortunately, dual antiplatelet therapy is often administered for 14, 30 or 90 days, so, when indicated, clinicians may not need to withhold antidepressant medications for prolonged periods of time. Future research should investigate the risk of bleeding associated with the use of anti-depressant and anxiety medications among patients with hemorrhagic or bleeding stroke.”

    According to a 2022 American Heart Association scientific statement, social isolation and loneliness are associated with about a 30% increased risk of heart attack or stroke, or death from either. “Depression may lead to social isolation, and social isolation may increase the likelihood of experiencing depression. The current study helps answer safety issues around the use of antidepressants for treatment of mental health issues that may develop after a stroke,” said Crystal Wiley CenĂ©, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chair of the writing group for the Association’s scientific statement, and a professor of clinical medicine and chief administrative officer for health equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of California San Diego Health. Dr. CenĂ© was not involved in this study.


    Read our latest health and medical news

    Keep an eye on amount of caffeine you consume, too much can be fatal

    Samer Dabou/PEXELS

    by Tim Ditman
    OSF Healthcare

    URBANA - A new lawsuit claims a caffeinated drink at Panera contributed to a man's death.

    Legalities aside, the issue of what people - especially young people - put in their bodies is something to be aware of, says Michael Broman, PhD, MD, an OSF HealthCare cardiologist. In fact, it’s one he thinks about daily.

    “My children are 8 and 10. I don’t allow them to have caffeine except under my supervision and only in very small doses,” Dr. Broman says sternly.

    Caffeine basics

    Dr. Broman says energy drinks, when consumed properly, can provide the desired energy boost. A college student studying for a test, for example.

    But it’s caffeine consumption that you must be aware of.


    Caffeine also causes dependence. As a person uses more and more over time, they start to miss it when they don’t have it. They can withdraw from caffeine. That’s one of the most worrisome side effects, especially in kids. If a child is using a lot of caffeine and they stop, they can have attention problems and headaches. It can affect their performance in school and athletics.
    Dr. Michael Broman
    OSF HealthCare Cardiologist

    “Caffeine has clearly been linked to adverse events and toxicity when given at a high enough dose,” Dr. Broman says.

    The effects of caffeine will vary from person to person. Some will be more sensitive to caffeine due to genetics. Others may be able to break down caffeine more quickly, meaning less sensitivity.

    Generally though, Dr. Broman says taking in too much caffeine could lead to your heart racing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest pain and high blood pressure. You may also feel hyper and not able to sit still.

    “Caffeine also causes dependence,” Dr. Broman adds. “As a person uses more and more over time, they start to miss it when they don’t have it. They can withdraw from caffeine.

    “That’s one of the most worrisome side effects, especially in kids. If a child is using a lot of caffeine and they stop, they can have attention problems and headaches. It can affect their performance in school and athletics.”

    What to know

    Here’s the formula to remember: Dr. Broman says for children and adolescents, limit daily caffeine consumption to 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. (You can easily find a pounds to kilograms converter online.)

    For example, if a high school student weighs 120 pounds (or around 54 kilograms), they would want to stick to 135 milligrams of caffeine per day. One PRIME Energy drink has 200 milligrams of caffeine. A 20-ounce bottle of Coca Cola has 57 milligrams. Caffeine content in coffee can vary. So be vigilant about your health and seek out the numbers. Check the product label or look up the product online before you swing by the drive thru or go to the store.

    Photo: Lisa Fotios/PEXELS
    The formula, though, doesn’t mean two bottles of Coke or a half swig of PRIME per day will yield no consequences for a 120-pound teenager. Rather, Dr. Broman recommends people under 18 not ingest caffeine regularly at all. Parents, teachers and coaches should watch what young people are drinking. Make the energy drink or soda a once-in-a-while treat. Water flavored with fresh fruit can be an alternative or talk to a dietitian about what’s right for you.

    “A lot of these caffeinated beverages are marketed and flavored to taste good for children,” Dr. Broman says. “The drinks may also be in the store displays right next to the non-caffeinated beverages. They can look almost the same. So, it’s often difficult for a young person to figure out, ‘Is this beverage caffeinated? Is this one non-caffeinated?’”

    And remember, everyone reacts to caffeine differently. Like any other ailment, know your health history and how your body responds to things. If you have significant symptoms from a caffeine overdose, call 9-1-1 and take an ambulance to the emergency department.

    “People with prior cardiac conditions are way more likely to have very dangerous side effects from the use of caffeine,” Dr. Broman says.

    A few things you might want to know about fentanyl and treatment

    Photo provided
    StatePoint Media - The overwhelming majority of opioid overdose deaths are due to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Here’s what physicians at the American Medical Association (AMA) want you to know as the drug overdose and death epidemic continues to devastate communities nationwide:

    Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable, chronic disease: Two-thirds of U.S. adults say either they or a family member have been addicted to alcohol or drugs, experienced homelessness due to addiction, or experienced a drug overdose leading to an emergency room visit, hospitalization or death, according to a KFF Tracking Poll. “Despite their prevalence, drug use disorders are the most stigmatized health conditions worldwide, impacting treatment and policy, and even individuals’ willingness to seek treatment,” says Bobby Mukkamala, MD, chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force.

    Prescriptions are down, overdoses are up: The 2022 AMA Overdose Epidemic Report shows a 46.4% decrease in opioid prescribing nationwide in the past decade, in large part due to physician efforts to ensure appropriate prescribing, but also state laws and health insurer and pharmacy policies that deny opioid therapy to patients, even those that need it. Nevertheless, the nation’s drug overdose and death epidemic continues to worsen. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the 12-month period that ended in February 2023, more than 105,000 people died from fatal overdoses that were primarily driven by synthetic opioids, like illicit fentanyl.

    Deaths are preventable: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data indicates that nearly 40% of all overdose deaths occur with a bystander present. For this reason, increasing the availability of opioid-related overdose-reversal medications will save lives. Thanks to advocacy from the AMA and other public health leaders, the FDA approved the first-ever over-the-counter naloxone product, and now pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores and gas stations are able to sell this safe, effective treatment. The AMA is urging retailers to price the medication responsibly and stock naloxone in prominent places. The AMA continues to urge health insurance companies to cover opioid overdose reversal medications at low- or no-cost.

    Preparation saves lives: Consider having naloxone or another overdose reversal medication on hand in case you witness someone overdosing. If you come across someone slumped over and showing signs of possible overdose, an overdose reversal medication is as easy to use as inserting it into the person’s nose and depressing the plunger. Don’t hesitate -- whether they’ve taken fentanyl or not, there’s no downside to giving naloxone when an overdose is suspected.

    Young people are dying: Among 14-18-year-olds, overdose deaths increased 94% from 2019 to 2020 and 20% from 2020 to 2021, according to the CDC. Physicians urge parents to talk to their children about alcohol, drugs and other substances.

    “Making opioid overdose reversal medications widely available in educational settings can save young lives,” says Dr. Mukkamala.

    The AMA urges schools and universities to stock the medications and let students know it’s available if necessary.

    Treatment works: Opioid use disorder is a treatable, chronic disease that can help individuals lead long, productive lives.

    “Having an opioid use disorder requires medical help just like any other chronic disease,” says Dr. Mukkamala, who advises checking with your primary care provider if you have concerns or questions about how to get help. You also will need to talk with your insurance provider about coverage requirements and restrictions, which continue to be a barrier for many with an OUD.

    Risk can be reduced: If you receive opioid therapy or have an acute injury, talk with your physicians about the expected level of pain and optimal strategies for pain control. Safely and securely store your medications and remove unused and unwanted opioids and other medications from your home.

    “We have to be honest that in order to truly reverse the overdose epidemic, much more work will need to be done to reduce stigmas and increase access to life-saving drugs,” says Dr. Mukkamala. “There is a way forward, and it requires a cooperative effort from all of us.”

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    Guest Commentary | America is in chaos

    by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


    New York’s mayor Eric Adams has recently been on a trip to Mexico and parts of South America preaching the urgent message, “Don’t come to New York City!” It’s good that he is making this evangelistic crusade to convert those being fooled in third world countries. New York has become a migrant magnet with over 100,00 migrants housed in hotels or wherever they can find shelter.

    This should be a trip for President Joe Biden. He seems totally indifferent to the chaos on America’s border. Chaos that has now taken over some of America’s cities. Mayors and Governors are going to have to lead this parade since we do not have a President who cares enough to do anything about the mass invasion of our country.

    Mayor Adams went on to declare, “Don’t count on working in NYC. Don’t plan on being housed in a five-star hotel. Life is going to be much more difficult than what is being falsely communicated on the Internet.”

    Has Homeland Security become an oxymoron?

    While chaos from the millions of illegal immigrants engulfs America, Congress, of course, cannot get their act together. For the first time in America’s history the Speaker of the House was ousted from his position. Kevin McCarthy was punished for trying to keep the country going for a couple of more weeks. Military personnel, Social Security recipients, government workers and more could go without pay. It is definitely time to make serious spending cuts and decisions but not at the expense of America’s most vulnerable. Some of our leaders in Congress would rather make our nation’s elderly and military members suffer than to come up with a bipartisan plan.

    While chaos erupts in Congress, our border and our cities, Fentanyl is killing more in America every day than Russia is killing in Ukraine. Over 106,000 drug related deaths were reported in 2021. The chaotic flow of drugs coming into this country must be stopped. Families are being shattered every day in this nation because of America’s chaos.

    While all this is happening, our auto workers, Kaiser health care workers, the Writer’s Guild and most everyone else is demanding more money. If enough people continue to strike for larger pay increases there won’t be enough business left in America to pay anybody anything.

    We are in chaos in this country. We must have a change of leadership or Americans will be looking for someplace to go. Or, everybody will be fighting. Then, that will be the end.

    While all this craziness is happening, millions of Americans are breaking their necks trying to catch of glimpse of Taylor Swift at a football game.


    -----------------------------------------------------------

    He is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

    -----------------------------------------------------------

    More thoughtful articles to read:

    Fining kids by the Illinois criminal justice system needs to end
    From my perspective, after 31 years in law enforcement and now as an adjunct professor teaching Juvenile Justice Administration at Wright College in Chicago, failure is when people involved in the justice system are left without the means to create a better future for themselves and their families.

    Commentary: Stop throwing your life away doing nothing
    Enjoyable weather is coming soon. For many parts of the country September through November offers many pleasant days. Don’t waste them by spending all your time starring at the television or Facebook. You still have some life to live. Spending four or five hours a day watching what everyone else ...

    Candy-clone Fentanyl warning issued by the DEA

    Provided/DEA

    by Libby Allison
    OSF Healthcare

    PEORIA -- Just ahead of Halloween the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is alerting the public about an alarming new influx of colorful fentanyl that is surging across the United States.

    Since August of this year, the DEA has reported brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills dubbed "rainbow fentanyl" in 26 states. These potentially deadly pills are highly addictive and are made to look like candy.

    Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose.

    "It’s 100 times more potent than a milligram of morphine," says Jerry Storm, the senior vice president of Pharmacy Services for OSF HealthCare.

    The DEA calls the colorful pills a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults, and with Halloween and trick-or-treating right around the corner, the emergence of these candy clones has some parents on edge.

    Storm says parents shouldn’t panic at the thought of their kids getting fentanyl in their candy bags. He points out – drug users are not likely to give away narcotics that have cost them money or are worth money. Storm does say parents should remain vigilant, however, and look through kids’ candy to make sure all pieces are wrapped and undamaged.

    "What I would recommend is a parent go through your kids’ Halloween treats if they go out trick-or-treating and inspect them just like we did years ago with [the threat of] razor blades in apples or razor blades in some other types of hard candy. Inspect it and make sure that they haven't been tampered with. If they tried to slip, say [drugs that look like] Skittles into a Skittles package, the package is going to be torn or there's going to be some type of defect in that package," he says.

    More concerning than trick-or-treating, according to Storm, is kids coming across this brightly colored fentanyl in their day-to-day lives, believing it’s candy and consuming it. He says the best way parents can protect their kids is by having open communication about drugs, their dangers, and the importance of never consuming anything without knowing exactly what it is.

    "Be aware of it and have those conversations, with not only the younger child but also the older siblings, because there is a risk that if they do use it and they buy it, then they drop it on the ground, a small child may pick it up thinking it's a Skittle candy and actually consume it and that could be fatal," warns Storm.

    Additional resources for parents and the community can be found on DEA's Fentanyl Awareness page. Brightly-colored fentanyl is being seized in multiple forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that resemble sidewalk chalk. If you encounter fentanyl in any form, do not handle it and call 911 immediately.

    Study suggests young marijuana smokers may be at greater risk of recurrent stroke

    Photo courtesy American Heart Assoc.


    NEW ORLEANS -- Among younger adults who had a previous stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and were later hospitalized for any cause, recurrent stroke was far more likely among patients with cannabis use disorder, according to preliminary research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2022, a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health to be held in person in New Orleans, and virtually, Feb. 8-11, 2022.

    Cannabis use disorder is defined as dependent use of cannabis despite having a psychological, physical and social functioning impairment. According to the American Heart Association, stroke rates are increasing in adults between ages 18 and 45, and each year young adults account for up to 15% of strokes in the United States.

    "Since marijuana use is more common among younger people and is now legal in several U.S. states, we felt it was crucial to study the various risks it may impose," said Akhil Jain, M.D., lead author of the study and a resident physician at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pennsylvania. "First-time stroke risk among  cannabis users is already established, so it intrigued us to investigate whether continued marijuana dependence also predisposes younger people to develop further strokes."

    The researchers examined health information from the National Inpatient Sample, a large, publicly available database that compiles data on more than 7 million hospital stays annually across the U.S. For this study, the sample included 161,390 adults between 18-44 years of age who had been hospitalized for any reason between October 2015 and 2017, and whose health records indicated a previous stroke (either clot-caused or bleeding stroke) or TIA.

    Using hospital diagnosis codes, researchers identified patients within the sample who met the criteria for cannabis use disorder, excluding those with charts indicating their cannabis dependence was in remission. This divided the sample into 4,690 patients who had been diagnosed with cannabis use disorder and 156,700 who had not. The median age for both groups was 37 years.

    The study found that when compared with patients without cannabis use disorder, patients with the condition were:

    • More likely to be male (55.2% vs. 40.9%), Black adults (44.6% vs. 37.2%), or to smoke tobacco (73.9% vs. 39.6%).
    • More likely to be diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (21.5% vs. 19.0%), depression (20.4% vs. 16.1%) or psychosis (11.2% vs. 7.5%).
    • Significantly more likely to abuse alcohol (16.5% vs. 3.6%).
    • Less likely to have high blood pressure (53.1% vs. 55.6%), diabetes (16.3% vs. 22.7%), high cholesterol (21.6% vs. 24.1%) or obesity (12.0% vs. 19.6%).

    Compared to current hospitalizations, the analysis found:

    • Among adults with cannabis use disorder, 6.9% were hospitalized for a recurrent stroke, compared to only 5.4% hospitalized without the disorder.
    • After adjusting for demographic factors and relevant pre-existing medical conditions (age at admission, sex, race, payer status, median household income, type of admission, hospital bed-size, region, location/teaching status and other medical conditions including traditional cardiovascular risk factors), patients with cannabis use disorder were 48% more likely to have been hospitalized for recurrent stroke than those without the disorder.
    • Cannabis use disorder was most prominent among males, young Black or white adults and those who lived in low-income neighborhoods or in the northeast and southern regions of the U.S. 

    "Young marijuana users who have a history of stroke or TIA remain at significantly higher risk of future stroke. Therefore, it is essential to increase awareness among younger adults of the adverse impact of chronic, habitual use of marijuana, especially if they have established cardiovascular disease risk factors or previous stroke episodes," Jain said.

    Possible mechanisms that have emerged from other research on cannabis use disorder include impairment of blood vessel function, changes in blood supply, an increased tendency towards blood-clotting, impaired energy production in brain cells, and an imbalance between molecules that harm healthy tissue and the antioxidant defenses that neutralize them.

    Results from this study may not be generalizable to older adults (ages greater than 44), who are more likely to have a greater number of chronic health conditions and cardiovascular risk factors. The study is also limited in that all data was collected at a single point in time, rather than following participants over time. In addition, while the hospital coding identified cannabis use disorder, the data did not include information on the exact amount and duration of cannabis use or medications used.

    "Our study is hypothesis-generating research for future prospective and randomized controlled studies. More research work is required to look deeply into this concerning clinical question. Most importantly, the impact of various doses, duration, forms of cannabis abuse, and the use of medicinal cannabis on the occurrence of recurrent strokes are critical questions that need to be answered," Jain said.

    According to an August 2020 scientific statement from the American Heart Association, preliminary studies have found that cannabis use may negatively impact the heart and blood vessels. Although cannabis may be helpful for conditions such as spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, among others, cannabis does not appear to have any well-documented benefits for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

    Co-authors of the study include: Rupak Desai, M.B.B.S.; Terry Ricardo Went, M.B.B.S.; Waleed Sultan, M.B.B.Ch.; Dwayne Wiltshire, M.B.B.S.; Geethu Jnaneswaran, M.B.B.S.; Athul Raj Raju, M.B.B.S.; Roshna Asifali; Aamer Mohammad, M.B.B.S.; and Bisharah Rizvi, M.D.

    ViewPoint | What was she thinking?

    Dear Editor,

    What was Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton thinking when she purchased recreational marijuana in Chicago on the first day of its legal sales in Illinois? Does she not understand that as a public official she is setting a reckless and foolish example, especially for children and teens?

    Illinois policy makers are sending a dangerous message to our young people. First, we called it "medicinal". Now, we call it "recreational". Gone are the days of "this is your brain on drugs". Instead, elected officials like Stratton are celebrating drug use by welcoming the marijuana industry to communities throughout the state.

    Their feckless example will mislead citizens into a diminished understanding of the dangers of drug use until it affects them personally. As the perception of risk plummets, drug use (and addictions) will climb.

    Not only have lawmakers failed to do their due diligence before passing this marijuana law, but they have also failed to heed the compelling research that indicates how regular use of marijuana affects young people, including an increased risk of psychiatric illnesses and loss of IQ points.

    Parents, grandparents, teachers, and religious leaders would do well to counter Stratton’s irresponsible example by returning to the sensible message, "just say no to drugs".


    David E. Smith, Executive Director
    Illinois Family Institute


    Letters: SB 7 is a bad idea

    State lawmakers are pushing the legalization of “super weed.”

    The 500-plus page bill (SB 7) that was introduced earlier this month in Springfield should greatly alarm parents and grandparents:

    This is the substance that gets users intoxicated. The marijuana of the 1960s and 1970s only contained 1-3% THC. Today, the levels are 20% or more. The Dutch government walked back their marijuana policy and now considers cannabis with 15% THC a hard drug and illegal.

    High potency marijuana use is linked to increases in addiction, psychosis, schizophrenia and violence.

    SB 7 allows adults to grow up to five marijuana plants in their home(s). What good is a community opt-out when neighbors are legally permitted to grow it? Moreover, who wants to live near pot cultivation centers?

    Cultivating excessive amounts of marijuana is not hypothetical. Conservatively, five plants could produce ten pounds of marijuana per year. That is more than 10,000 joints a year. No one can use that much marijuana. Where will the surplus go?

    There are many other reasons to oppose this policy. In short, legalization is just not worth the social costs to our families and communities.

    David E. Smith, Executive Director
    Illinois Family Institute


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