Druggist For The People

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Summary:  An epidemic of Isolation and Loneliness?  Recent studies have found this to be true, and the subsequent effects upon the mental and physical health of the isolated & lonely person are significant.  They include an increased risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, diabetes type II, obesity, depression and anxiety and the risks of the medications used to treat these ailments.  These are potential physical and mental challenges for the person, in addition to the painful experience of isolation, wherein there is a lack of contact and support from others, and loneliness, wherein there is the subjective feeling of not having close meaningful relationships or a sense of belonging.  We’ve all been there.  The idea here is to think about helping yourself - and others - to connect

 Topics:

·       Surgeon General 2023 Epidemic of Isolation & Loneliness 02:00

·       Isolation & Loneliness Defined

·       Incidence of Loneliness by age 05:15

·       “Say Hello in There” 06:10

·       Existential Loneliness 09:00

·       Health Risks of Isolation & Loneliness 11:00

        Heart Disease 29%

        Strokes 32%

        Dementia 50%

         Also increase incidence of Depression & Anxiety, Obesity, Diabetes Type II

·       Risks & Causes of Isolation & Loneliness 14:00

·       Technology (AI) 16:45

·       Additional Meds d/t possible health risks of Loneliness/Isolation 22:45

·       Drug for Loneliness?  23:15

·       988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 25:00

·       Talk with Your MD 27:00

·       If you are feeling alone, you are not alone in this

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Summary:  There are a lot of options in the supplements aisle, because there’s a lot of money in it.  Supplements might contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids (part of protein), enzymes and probiotics, as well as binding agents, preservatives, flavoring agents etc.  The label claims for ingredients are required by the FDA to be “truthful and not misleading.”  If a supplement label “supports” or “promotes” proper nerve function, or cellular energy, or metabolism, the claim is so nebulous or general that it might be impossible to prove that it was untruthful or misleading.  What to do? We try to figure that out in this episode. 

Topics:

·       Supplements and $$$ 01:30

·       FDA Approved Indication – Not 02:00

·       Disclaimer 05:00

·       80,000 Supplements 08:30

·       Claims:  Health; Structure-Function; Nutrient 09:30

·       Beware – Research – Communicate w/ Healthcare Team –  Monitor

         & Follow-up  12:00

      *    FDA – Reports Problems/Benefits

      *    Independent Labs = USP, Consumer Labs 22:00

      *    Utilize and work with Healthcare Team. 23:00

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Summary:  The off-label use of naltrexone for chronic pain and inflammatory conditions is built upon observing patients being weaned from high dose naltrexone for alcohol abuse disorder, as well as its experimental use in boosting the immune system of HIV patients in the 1980s.  Though the long-term use of LDN for chronic pain and the other inflammatory conditions has not been established, this unique mechanism of action may, in the future, provide another proven option for those in need.   Or will it?  We are in the process of discovery.

Topics:

·       Low Dose Naltrexone Potential Uses 02:00

·       Opioid Antagonists Naloxone and Naltrexone

·       Receptor Interactions: Affinity/Intrinsic Activity/Dissociation. 04:15

·       Naloxone & Naltrexone Chemistry

·       Antabuse 08:20

·       Fooling the Body – Negative Feeback Loop 11:30

·       Microglial Cells Inhibition & Anti-inflammatory actions 12:50

·       Applied Science of Medicine 14:00

·       LDL Risks

·       Quality of Life and Risk-Benefit 17:45

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Summary:  Rooting for your favorite team may very well influence your opinion of the referees in the game.  Leave bias there.  In healthcare, double-blind placebo-controlled trials and the metanalysis of studies are attempts to remove bias, so that objective reasoning can rule the day.  JFK Jr. exhibited significant bias about vaccines prior to his confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and it has been evinced in his decision to stop the funding for mRNA vaccines.   Blatant lies and unchecked bias threaten not only our healthcare options, but the very world in which they operate.  

Topics:

·      Bias 01:00

·      Double Blind Placebo Controlled Studies 01:30

·      RFK Jr 02:20

·      Science is a Process 04:30

·      mRNA 05:30

·      Mutations 06:20

·      Bacteria Too 07:45

·      More Bias 10:00

·      You Are The Experiment 12:00

·      mRNA Risk Benefit 14:15

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Summary:  Slinging ugly, triggering words – like “psycho-emotional problems” - is an effort to awaken stigmas in the public against a person.  Reject it.  Mental Health, like our physical health, is an ever-changing dynamic.  Though we expect mental and emotional health and stability in our leaders, the assessment of that issue should be objective and based on the best medical practice, and not on some sloppy reference intended to fan the flames of hate.

Topics:

·       Psycho-Emotional Problems 01:00

·       Unconrtrolled Fits 03:30

·       Heavy Tranquilizers 04:30

·       Stigma of Mental Health Challenges 05:00

·       Public & Self Stigmas 07:00

·       Intermittent Explosive Disorder (“Fits of Anger & Aggression”???) 09:30

·       DSM-5

·       Gelastic Seizures (“Fits of Cheerfulness”???) 10:40

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Summary:  This episode attempts to clarify how vaccines are made, how they are intended to interact with the immune system, and how important it is to obtain an unbiased source of information about the risks and benefits of a vaccine.  Utilize your healthcare team.

 Topics:

·       Polio Vaccines 01:00

·       Risk-Benefit 02:00

·       Vaccines-Autism 03:00

·       Modern Medicine 04:15

·       Autism – DSM 06:00

·       Immune System (learning what is you) 08:00

·       Innate & Acquiered Immunity 11:00

·       Chicken Pox Exposure and Shingrix 13:30

·       Types of Vaccines 14:45

·       Live Attenuated Vaccines 15:30

·       Inactivated Vaccines 16:30

·       Subunit Vaccines 17:30

·       Toxoid Vaccines (Tetanus) 18:15

·       Viral Vector

·       mRNA 19:10

·       BIAS – Remove it 23:30

·       CDC Vaccine Risk – Benefit Site 24:50

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 Summary:  When the president of the United States told his candidate for Secretary of  Health and Human Services to “go wild” on health, food and medicines, I’ll bet he went and celebrated his pick with a McDonald’s cheeseburger and a Diet Coke.  This podcast discusses the danger of placing politics and ideology into the healthcare system, the participants of which currently embrace the practice of Evidence-based medicine.  This is the practice wherein the best available science is combined with the healthcare professional's clinical experience and the patient's values to arrive at the best medical decision for the patient.  The idea is to eliminate bias.  Let’s not go wild on that, in any part of the healthcare system.

Topics: 

·      What is “Again”? 01:00

·      “Go wild” on health, food and medicines? 02:30

·      Bias 03:20

·      Exercise and Diet 06:15

·      RFK Jr Confirmation Hearing 07:00

-              Nicotine Pouch?

-              Suggest SSRI’s as or more addictive than heroin

·      Depedence Vs. Addiction 14:10

·      RFK Jr. Actions as HHS Secretary 17:00

-              April 11: cause of autism will be found be September

·      Possible causes of autism 19:30

·      RFK Jr. Actions as HHS Secretary 

-              May 27: Change COVID Vaccine Recommendations

-              June 9: Remove Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) Members

·      Evidence Based Medicine 24:30

·      Levels of Scientific Evidence (not all are the same) 26:00

·      JFK Jr. Swimming in Contaminated Stream 28:30

·      No One Should Go Wild on HHS

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Summary:  I received a question about the possible therapeutic pharmacologic benefits of Nicotine, specifically the idea of cutting the Nicotine Patch for help with energy, autoimmune issues, and weight loss.  Answering this question lead into a discussion of new drugs that may emerge from anecdotal evidence.  In this case, how certain elements of Nicotine’s activity might lead to the development of new drugs with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, without the risks associated with Nicotine use. 

Topics:  

·      Nicotine History 01:20

·      Nicotine Patches, Side Effects 03:00

·      Muscarinic & Nicotinic Receptors 06:00

·      Alzheimers and Parkinson’s Disease in Smokers 08:00

·      Reasoning Toward Possible Uses 09:00

·      CNS & Immune Effects 09:45

·       Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Irritable Bowel Disease/ MS - reduce inflammation   11:00

·      Journavx 11:30

·      Long COVID 12:30

·      Big Pharma Skepticism 15:00

·      Consider the Source 15:50

·      Use Your Pharmacist 17:20

·      For All Drugs:  Potential Benefit/Possible Risks  Decide  Positive Attitude  MONITOR

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Summary:  Not all laxatives are created the same.  Discussed in this episode are the nonpharmacologic options to relieve constipation, and the OTC Laxative options available should nonpharmacologic efforts fail.  Included is a brief explanation of the peristaltic movement that is pooping, and how the different laxative options affect that process.  Though there is often a silly poop joke or phrase lurking nearby i.e. dropping the kids off at the pool, a healthy and properly functioning bowel is essential for your overall health.  Please consult your healthcare providers for any questions and guidance about constipation and your gut health.

Topics:

·       Constipation Definition 02:00

·       Before Using Laxatives 03:00

·       OTC Laxatives 04:00

·       Bulk Laxatives (Metamucil/Citrucel/Fibercon) 06:15

·       Peristalsis and Bowel Movements 06:45

·       Osmotic Laxatives (Miralax/MOM) 07:50

·       Stool Softeners (Docusate) 09:30

·       Lubricant Laxatives 10:00

·       Stimulant Laxatives (Bisacodyl & Senna) 11:00

·       Laxative Overuse 12:00

·       Rx Laxatives

      Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation – Linzess 12:30

      Opiate Use – Relistor to prevent GI effects of opiates 13:10

·       Onset of Action 14:30

-              Bulk = 12 hrs to 3 days

-              Stool Softeners = 12 hrs to 3 days

-              Stimulant = 6 to12 hrs

-              Lubricant =  6 to 12 hrs

-              Enema/Suppository = 15 min to 1 hr

·       Side Effects/Over usage 17:30

·       Interactions with Medication  Consult Pharmacist 19:25

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Summary:  The chemistry of your mind and body are almost always changed by the medications you take.  But there is more to it than that.  These changes are changing, in response to both your medications and in response to your thoughts, feelings, food, exercise, and sleep.  About the medications, we focus on the benefit you might receive, and the possible risks associated with a potential drug therapy.  And we keep track of it.  This is always a good idea.  But what about how you think and eat and sleep and move?  Let's talk about it.
 Topics:

·      Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics 01:30

·      Drugs “On board” 02:30

·      Drugs & Your Chemistry 03:00

·      Cookies & Your Chemistry 04:30

·      Exercise, Sleep & Your Chemistry 05:00

·      Diet, Thinking, Feeling & Your Chemistry 06:00

·      Cortisol & Chronic Stress 06:30

·      GABA Receptors (Benzodiazepines) 07:45

·      Be nice? 08:40

·      Meds & Risk-Benefit 09:00

·      Hurricane Helene 09:15

·      Premarin (pregnant horse urine) 12:15

·      Depression…You Are Not Alone 14:15

·      Depression Help Resources 15:15

       Suicide & Crisis Lifeline = 988

       Crisis Text Line = 741741

       Outside of U.S = Befrienders Worldwide

·      John Prine “Hello in There” 16:00

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