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Posts Tagged ‘drug’

Agarikon Conk As A Potential Smallpox Remedy – NPR Interview With Paul Stamets

April 12th, 2010

In a fascinating broadcast on National Public Radio, internationally renowned medicinal mushroom expert Paul Stamets tells his story of discovering the medicinal potential of agarikon, an extremely rare and threatened species of wood conk that requires century-old trees to grow. Agarikon is today all but extinct in Europe, its remaining distribution limited to the old growth forests on the North American West Coast.

Knowing that mushrooms are susceptible to many of the same microbes as humans, how could it be, he asked himself, that this perennial wood conk managed to stay healthy for 50 years in the dripping wet rain forest without rotting? It must have a powerful immune system, he concluded, with potentially powerful medicinal compounds that could benefit humans.

To find agarikon in the wild, look for something reminiscent of a beehive on the ancient tree trunks of an old-growth forest. (You may view a picture of agarikon through the agarikon-link on this page.) Please keep in mind that agarikon is a rare and threatened species. Do not harvest it unless there’s a very good reason for doing so. But by all means, bring out your digital camera.

It should be noted that the agarikon Paul Stamets uses is not harvested in the wild. He grows his own, and uses it for the extract he produces. A sample of that extract was submitted to the Defense Department, to be tested at a top security laboratory in Fort Dietrich, Maryland. The Defense Department’s BIO Shield Program at that location searches for cures to biological warfare agents such as smallpox and anthrax.

Reportedly, tens of thousands of natural as well as manmade remedies are tested through the BIO Shield Program. According to drug discovery supervisor John Seacrest, Paul Stamets agarikon extract scored one of the rare hits against viruses related to smallpox. In other words, it effectively inhibited smallpox related viruses under lab conditions.

In lieu of this discovery, Stamets has applied for a patent to a mushroom related anti-viral drug. One of his sponsors is Boston investor John Norris. As Mr. Norris so correctly points out, not everybody is willing or able to be vaccinated.

It’s also worth mentioning that Mr. Norris is a former second in command in the FDA hierarchy, and he believes that through his joint venture with Paul Stamets, they could soon be selling several hundred million doses of the Stamets agarikon extract to the armies of the United States, U.K., and Germany.

That may, however, still be a few years in the making. First the product needs to go through further exhaustive lab trials as well as gain FDA approval.

Note: The above article is intended for informational purposes only. Agarikon has not been approved by the FDA for use as a medicinal. Never use any herbal or mushroom-product for medicinal purposes unless advice to do so by a licensed medical practitioner.

Reference: Banse, T., NPR Morning Edition, Smallpox Defense May Be Found in Mushrooms, August 4, 2005.

About author: Dr. Markho Rafael has worked with natural health products since the mid-90′s, specializing in mycomedicinals. Click Agarikon Mushrooms for agarikon-photo, mushroom products, free mushroom articles, or to request a unique copy of any mushroom article for your own web-site or magazine / ezine. Click Fomitopsis medicinal for scientific research references about agarikon.

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Finding The Right Drug Rehab Program

March 5th, 2010

Drug addiction is typically caused by deep seeded emotional problems that exist from past trauma. People use drugs to numb the pain. Feelings of guilt and shame are masked by drug and alcohol use. A vicious addiction cycle occurs because the behaviors and associations that go along with drug use only cause more guilt and shame.

The second step of the addiction recovery process is getting to the root of these issues, changing behaviors, and building self-esteem. Many people find salvation in drug rehab and support groups. Drug rehabilitation programs have helped millions of people free themselves of drug addiction. Sobriety is achievable.

There is help out there. It just comes down to which drug rehab option is best for the individual. Don\’t let drug addiction cast a shadow over your family any more. Addiction festers in the darkness and secrecy. Bring the problem out into the open. Discuss the drug treatment options with your whole family.

Finding the right treatment and recovery program or rehab center is a daunting enough task, but the real challenge is that the individual must first admit that they do have a problem with alcohol abuse. Not only that, but once the admission has been made, the individual is further challenged by having to make the commitment to do something about it and seek help for their addiction.

In many circumstances, a family intervention, conducted by an addiction counselor and having family members and the individual\’s close friends in attendance, may be necessary. This can have both negative as well as positive results.

The positive results that people hope to achieve by holding an intervention are that the individual admits having a problem and then seeks help immediately. The negative results could range from the individual being angered, exhibiting an abusive or violent reaction, or just angrily leaving the meeting.

If you have or have had an addiction, or have lived with someone who does, you know the pain that it causes. It is not uncommon for the addict to die in some instances, but what is so tragic is that they typically drag their family members and friends down with them. There are two immediate challenges that the drug addicted individual must face. The first is admitting that they do have a problem, which is a difficult enough task as it is.

However, it is the decision to do something about it and go get help for that drug addiction that becomes the most challenging task for the individual suffering with an addiction. The key is that if the individual has any hope of being treated and recovering successfully, they have to remain honest to themselves during the entire process.

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Uncategorized addiction, cocaine, drug, drug abuse, drug abuse treatment, drug addiction, family, Health and Nutrition, heroin, hobbies, individual, stressful life, substance abuse

Freedom From Past

March 1st, 2010

There must come a point in time when you realize that you are unable to handle an addiction to drugs on your own. A recovery program in our drug abuse facilities will help you with your addiction and overcome the problems that have contributed to your addiction to drugs.

Finding the right treatment program that will work for you is the most important step in your road to recovery. One of the most difficult steps in your recovery may be admitting that there is a problem. It is vital that you admit that you have a problem with drugs and want to find a way to recover.

If you feel you have such a problem, you don\’t need to worry, a good rehab will provide for the answers to all your doubts. Your comfort is the most important thing, unless and until a person is comfortable and happy, he won\’t be able to get rid of his problems. You also wont have to worry about recurrent problems or side-effects, because a good rehab provides 100% recovery solutions within your budget.

A rehab that has been successfully treating drug dependency, using group, family and individualized psychological/emotional therapy in addition to alternative treatment methods such as yoga and acupuncture is the way to go. The drug rehabilitation program at most rehab centers offers hope for drug addicts and their families.

Experienced staff, proven treatment programs and elite facilities is what is needed for proper treatment. Drug addiction is something that needs to be accepted and dealt with immediately. There is no use worrying about it. Simply accept it and come to the rehab. It will take care of the rest by offering you its services. The residence program offers safe and sound recovery options, luxury facilities and healthy food.

Many therapy sessions tailor-made by the experts and doctors are also important. A dual diagnosis treatment will help you overcome your addiction problems. Addiction can be a part of your life if too much of depression is present.

Addiction treatment program includes both physical and psychological aspects and is highly personalized to address each patient\’s individual needs. A healthy intervention and rehabilitation encourages its patients to play an active role in their alcohol addiction recovery, because it recognizes that only a patient who wants to be healed will ultimately be cured.

Gourmet meals, ocean vistas, well-appointed rooms, an exclusive location that ensures privacy and security and a discrete staff are some of the other reasons why you might be interested in getting treatment at most luxury rehab centers. Constant monitoring and adjustment of treatments helps a person get acquainted to the different ways of curing addiction.

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Drug Abuse : Cure Or Prevention

March 1st, 2010

Families who have mentally ill relatives whose problems are compounded by substance abuse face problems of enormous proportions. Mental health services are not well prepared to deal with patients having both afflictions.

Often only one of the two problems is identified. If both are recognized, the individual may be bounced back and forth between services for mental illness and those for substance abuse, or they may be refused treatment by each of them.

While the picture regarding dual diagnosis has not been very positive at this point, there are now signs that the problem is being recognized and there is an increasing number of programs trying to address the treatment needs of people with both problems.

Research studies are beginning to help us understand the scope of the problem. It is now generally agreed that as much as 50 percent of the mentally ill population also has a substance abuse problem. The drug most commonly used is alcohol, followed by marijuana and cocaine. Prescription drugs such as tranquilizers and sleeping medicines may also be abused.

It is now reported that both families of mentally ill relatives and mental health professionals underestimate the amount of drug dependency among people in their care. There may be several reasons for this. It may be difficult to separate the behaviors due to mental illness from those due to drugs.

There may be a degree of denial of the problem because we have had so little to offer people with the combined illnesses. Caregivers might prefer not to acknowledge such a frightening problem when so little hope has been offered.

Craving and compulsion to use a drug lead to using it in larger amounts, more frequently, or over a longer period than was intended when use began. Psychological dependence involves giving up social, occupational, or recreational activities because of drug use, as well as persistent use despite knowing that the drug is likely causing a physical or mental problem.

The Cliffside Malibu facility is a state-of-the-art, luxury drug and alcohol treatment center that is often filled to capacity. To find out if there is a space available for you call Cliffside Malibu at 1-800-501-1988. Because of the limited number of spaces in the facility, it is possible that you will end up on a waiting list for your space. Rest assured it is our highest priority to find you a space in our center so that your journey to recovery can begin. The alcohol abuse facilities at Cliffside Malibu offer you the peace and tranquility that you need to begin your road to recovery.

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