The search engine Google is one of the most useful information tools to emerge in modern times. “Google” is a recognized verb. Googling, “how to cook gluten-free recipes” is harmless and informative, googling, “is my husband having a heart attack?’ can be deadly? Approximately eight out of 10 Americans search for medical information on the internet. When is it safe to use the internet to learn about health symptoms and treatment and when are you playing with your life? Hypochondria has now turned to Cyberchondria. We turned to Dr. Niket Sonpal, a New York City internist and gastroenterologist for some answers.
The Perils of Using Google For Health Questions/Symptoms
1)You don’t know how reliable a site is
You have to pay attention to things like, how old is the information on that site? Is it backed by real clinical studies from Universities or institutions like the Mayo Clinic? Does this site have an agenda? Have they put information up there as “clickbait” to lure you into buying a product they are selling such as a supplement, diet program, or book? If you google the information on other sites, so other sites corroborate what was said? Are the quotes coming from a physician who is board certified in his or her sub-specialty and can you find this physician online?
2)Googling Symptoms Can Cause Health Anxiety
Google just about any symptom and there’s bound to be results that suggest surgery or connect the symptom with a form of cancer. These extreme conclusions can cause serious anxiety, especially for people who are already afraid of health problems. This anxiety happens so frequently today, there’s a name for it—cyberchondria. According to the British news source DailyMail.com, millions suffer from it. Cyberchondriacs turn to the Web for comfort about their health issues instead of a health professional. They can become obsessed and the amount of time they spend checking the Web for information can interfere with their daily lives.
3)Stay Away from Health Message Boards
Don’t share your worries on message boards or ask for prescription drug recommendations. Dr. Sonpal has seen people ask questions such as: Has anyone tried Prozac for depression? They hear one person with a negative experience and then shy away from trying a drug that could potentially help them.
If you go to a random message board with your concerns, people are going to reply with horrific diagnoses, potentially lethal information, and their own experiences with prescription drugs that won’t be identical to yours. Physicians don’t moderate these message boards. If dangerous/erroneous advice is given, there is nobody to stop it from being published.
4)You can misdiagnosis yourself for better or worse
Perhaps you awake one morning to strange bumps all over your body. You put your symptoms into google and decide that based on several pages of descriptions, you have prickly heat and you treat it yourself according to what is published on google. What if the reality is that you have adult chickenpox and you leave it untreated? Conversely, the hypochondriac side can immerge, where you google symptoms and over-diagnose yourself because you have been having some chest pain that day. You think you are having a heart attack when the reality is, you were simply having upper gas pain.
5)Don’t use Google in the midst of a health crisis
If your infant suddenly stops breathing now is not the time to Google, “how to perform CPR.” This is when you call 911 and get medical help on the ground as soon as possible and take the direction that the operators give you on the line while medical help is on the way. It is a good idea to google how to perform CPR in a non- crisis situation from a reliable website such as https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/cpr-steps
6)Google does not know you and has never seen you
When you visit an internist or any other responsible medical doctor, you fill out an extensive form. This form includes, among other things, your age, height, weight, sex, gender race, medical history, medications you are taking, surgeries you have had, allergies, family health history, diseases you currently, suffer from,
mental health history etc. A doctor uses all of this to gather information in making his/her diagnosis and make sure that if he/she is dispensing medication that none of it interacts with what you are already taking. Google does not know any of this!
When it is OK to use Google as a tool for basic health questions?
Dr. Sonpal says, “the simpler the question, the better. If you are absolutely sure of what an ailment/injury is, and you have had it or seen it before, then visiting a reliable site for information can be useful.
Examples of Topics that are Safe to Google
What constitutes high blood pressure? (if you have it seek treatment)
How do you treat a mild sunburn?
How do you remove a splinter?
What is better to lower a fever, Tylenol or Advil
Should I put hot or cold on my joint if I fall?
What should I do if I’m dehydrated?
How should I treat a minor cut or abrasion?
What food can I eat if I have an upset stomach?
Should I starve myself if I have a cold and feed myself If I have a fever?
Eating for two: Future fathers should eat well for heart health of offspring
UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 01.00 GMT 16 OCTOBER 2019
Not for publication or broadcast before this time
When trying to get pregnant, couples often change their lifestyles, going on crash diets or taking up stricter exercise regimens. New research, done on mice, suggests that men might be best off avoiding crash diets, as it may affect the heart health of their offspring.
While much research has shown the effects of maternal health on the offspring, very little is known about the impact of the father’s health. A study from researchers at the University of Nottingham published today in The Journal of Physiology shows that poor paternal diet, specifically low in protein, may impact the heart health of the offspring by changing their seminal fluid, which bathes sperm.
The researchers looked at the effect of low protein diets on both the sperm and seminal fluid of male mice. They studied the impact on offspring in four conditions: when the sperm was from a dad with a poor diet, when the seminal fluid was, when both were, and when neither was. They found that the heart health of offspring was negatively impacted when there was mismatch between the sperm and seminal fluid, meaning that one was from a poor dietary dad and the other from a dad with a normal diet, or vice versa.
Men on crash diets may be affected, as the quality of seminal fluid changes quickly, while sperm only changes after a few months, meaning that there might be a mismatch in the first few months of a diet, and this time may coincide with when they are trying to conceive.
These findings may have also implications for couples using assistive reproductive technologies such as IVF because IVF uses only the sperm, and this might result in a mismatch between the quality of sperm and seminal fluid.
Adam Watkins, senior author on the study said:
“It is important that we understand how and why paternal diet impacts on the offspring, so we can suggest preventative measures for couples who are trying to conceive, such as dietary recommendations.”
The Journal of Physiology publishes advances in physiology which increase our understanding of how our bodies function in health and disease. http://jp.physoc.org
The Physiological Society brings together over 4,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. www.physoc.org
The Physiological Society urges Government step change to meet its own Ageing Society target
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The UK Government is at risk of missing its target to increase healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035, according to a new report, Growing Older, Better, published by The Physiological Society on Tuesday 15 October.
Healthy life expectancy, which is the number of years lived in good health, has not increased as quickly as life expectancy in recent decades, which means people are living more years in poor health. The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy contains a target of “ensur[ing] that people can enjoy at least five extra healthy, independent years of life by 2035, while narrowing the gap between the experience of the richest and poorest”.
This new report, which is the result of a project involving an expert panel of researchers, funders and public health policy makers, outlines concerns that the Government is too focused on responding reactively to ageing, rather than being proactive in challenging the ageing process itself.
The step change required to meet the government’s target will require putting physiological research at the heart of the response. Physiological research into the processes underpinning ageing and age-related conditions as diverse as dementia and arthritis is key to providing answers to many of the questions that will need solving.
The report produced a number of key findings related to public health, including:
There is a gap between physiological insight and policy decision making.
Significant sections of the population do not engage with healthy ageing campaigns or recognise the impact of positive lifestyle changes to the quality of later life.
Those that are socioeconomically disadvantaged are less likely to be engaged in activities and lifestyles that promote healthy ageing.
The report includes a number of recommendations to keep people living healthier, for longer, including:
A greater focus across national and local government on preventative care to reduce the likelihood of health problems occurring.
Improved public health guidance by providing personalised, tailored advice based on physiological evidence.
Joined up healthcare to deliver an integrated approach to the care of older people before, during and after periods of poor health.
For example, only 10% of those aged over 65 in the UK meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations for physical activity of 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week. This impacts not only muscle strength but has a significant impact on an older person’s immune system. Research from physiologists at the University of Birmingham and UCL demonstrated that study participants who maintain high levels of physical activity throughout middle and older age had higher levels of immune hormones important for maintaining immunity. This immunity is important for vaccine efficacy, warding off infections and viruses and lowering cancer risk.
Speaking at the report’s launch, Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock and Chair of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee noted:
“Having met a number of physiologists, including some of those who gave their time to support this report, I can attest that physiology is core to understanding the changes in how our bodies work as we age, which will be crucial in solving some of the major challenges of our generation. Understanding the causes of age-related diseases and frailty can result in lifestyle and medical interventions to allow people to keep contributing longer into their lifespan. This will have benefits for the individual by increasing their quality of life in older age as well as easing the burden on health and care systems.”
Professor Paul Greenhaff, University of Nottingham and Chair of the Growing Older, Better Expert Group, added:
“Ensuring that we understand the current landscape and have a clear picture about what needs to change to ensure physiology is at the heart of meeting the challenges of an ageing society is a crucial first step.”
The Physiological Society brings together over 4,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. www.physoc.org
Charney Lawyers Announce Proposed Ranitidine Class Action
VANCOUVER, Oct. 11, 2019 /CNW/ - A proposed national class action has been filed in Vancouver in response to yet another national recall of medication contaminated by a toxin. For more information, please visit: http://www.ranitidineclassaction.com/.
"In 2018 it was the Valsartan recall, now it's Ranitidine – the integrity of Canada's drug supply is now very much in question. How is NDMA getting into our drug supply? Why isn't the Government of Canada launching an inquiry?" said class counsel Theodore P. Charney.
The action is brought against the pharmaceutical companies who manufacture Ranitidine products for sale in Canada. It is alleged the manufacturers were negligent because the drugs include a toxic chemical, NDMA.
According to Health Canada, NDMA is a potential human carcinogen, which means that it could cause cancer with long-term exposure. NDMA has been detected in the Ranitidine products manufactured, distributed and sold by the defendants.
The class action is also being advanced against national drug store chains who sold the contaminated Ranitidine products over-the-counter. It is alleged the goods are not fit for consumption.
The defendant manufacturers in the proposed class action are the five pharmaceutical companies whose products appear on Health Canada's recall list: Sandoz Canada Inc., Apotex Inc., Pro Doc Limitée, Sanis Health Inc. and Sivem Pharmaceuticals ULC/Sivem Produits Pharmaceutiques ULC.
The defendant drug store chains are: London Drugs Limited, Shoppers Drug Mart Inc., Rexall Pharmacy Group Ltd., Rexall/Pharma Plus Pharmacies Ltd., McKesson Canada Corporation/La Corporation McKesson Canada, McKesson Pharmacy Systems Canada ULC, Pharmasave Drugs Ltd., Loblaws Inc. and Westfair Drugs B.C. Ltd.
Class Counsel are Charney Lawyers, a leading class action firm led by senior counsel Theodore P. Charney and Rice Harbut Elliott a firm of trial lawyers who exclusively represent people who have been injured. The lawyers at Rice Harbut Elliott have a record of relentlessly holding defendants accountable, including in product liability cases.
SOURCE Charney Lawyers
Merida Merger Corp. I announces filing of registration statement in the United States and a preliminary prospectus in Canada
NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2019 /CNW/ - Merida Merger Corp. I (the "Company") announced today that it has filed a registration statement in the United States for its initial public offering of 10,000,000 units for aggregate gross proceeds of US$100,000,000. The offering is being made concurrently in the United States under a registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and a preliminary prospectus filed in each of the provinces of Canada other than Québec. Each unit offered in the initial public offering has an offering price of US$10.00 and consists of one share of common stock and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at a price of US$11.50 per share. Each warrant will become exercisable on the later of twelve months from the closing of the offering and the completion of an initial business combination or qualifying transaction (a "Qualifying Transaction") and will expire at 5:00 pm New York City time five years from the consummation of the Qualifying Transaction, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. The Company has applied to list its units on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol "MCMJU." The Company has also applied to list its units on the NEO Exchange Inc. under the ticker symbol "MMK.UN."
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. is acting as sole book-running manager of the offering ("EarlyBird"). EarlyBirdhas engaged Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. as its Canadian agent to distribute the units in each of the provinces of Canada other than Québec.
The Company has granted EarlyBird a non-transferable over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 units on the same terms and conditions, exercisable in whole or in part, by EarlyBird up to 45 days following the effective date of the registration statement. If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full, the gross proceeds of the offering are expected to be US $115,000,000.
The Company is a blank check company organized for the purpose of effecting a Qualifying Transaction with one or more businesses or entities. The Company's efforts to identify a prospective target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region, although it intends to focus its search for target businesses in the cannabis industry.
The registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission has not yet become effective. The securities covered by the registration statement may not be sold, nor may offers to buy such securities be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or Canadian province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities law of any such state or Canadian province. This proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. A copy of the prospectus may be obtained, when available, from: EarlyBirdCapital, Inc., 366 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017, Attn: Syndicate Department, 212-661-0200.
A preliminary prospectus relating to the offering has also been filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in each of the provinces of Canada other than Québec. The preliminary prospectus is still subject to completion or amendment and thus has not yet become final for the purpose of a distribution of securities to the public. Any solicitation or sale would be unlawful in Canada prior to the time a receipt for the final prospectus or other authorization is obtained from the securities commission or similar authority in such jurisdiction. Copies of the preliminary prospectus will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Copies of the preliminary prospectus may also be obtained from Echelon Wealth Partners Inc., at ECM@echelonpartners.com. There will not be any sale or any acceptance of an offer to buy the securities in Canada until a receipt for the final prospectus has been issued.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Statements contained herein that are not based on historical or current fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "anticipates," "believes," "may," "continues," "estimates," "expects," and "will" and words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking information may include, but is not limited to, statements regarding the preliminary prospectus and registration statement being cleared by Canadian and US securities regulatory authorities. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects", "projects", "assumes", "budget", "strategy", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "targets" and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative forms of any of these terms and similar expressions, have been used to identify forward-looking statements and information. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks identified in the Company's filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in the United States at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Merida Merger Corp. I
Breaking Barriers: helping Canadians on disability leave get back to work
Sun Life leads healthcare innovation with disability management toolkit
TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2019 /CNW/ - Nearly 60% of working Canadians have experienced a mental health condition at some point in their lifei, placing it among the leading causes of disability leaveii. Treatment options, wait times, cost and stigma can be some of the barriers people face when dealing with their mental health challenges. Sun Life is expanding its suite of digital tools and healthcare innovations to help Clients get back to work and live a healthier life.
"When you take a disability leave for mental health reasons, finding a specialist and getting proper treatment can feel overwhelming – we want to make this experience hassle-free," said Dave Jones, Senior Vice-President, Group Benefits, Sun Life. "Bringing these healthcare innovations to our Clients will improve their recovery experience and help them get the timely care they need."
Sun Life's Group Disability team is dedicated to helping Clients navigate the healthcare system and get the right treatment. The latest digital and healthcare innovations include:
Pharmacogenomics: Sun Life piloted pharmacogenomics in 2017 with positive results. Using saliva to determine how a person may respond to mental health and chronic pain medications, Sun Life is now partnering with LifeLabs Genetics and BiogeniQ to offer this personalized solution. Pharmacogenomics has the potential to help Clients and their physicians find an effective treatment faster.
"This test not only confirmed that I was on the right track, but also confirmed that the medications I had previously taken were definitely not right for me," said a Sun Life Group Benefits Client on disability leave about their experience using pharmacogenomics. "I would recommend this to others, in hopes of leading them towards finding the most suitable medications for their mental health."
Virtual Independent Medical Examination (vIME): Sun Life recently partnered with EQ Care to pilot vIME. This one-of-a-kind solution helps those on disability participate in an independent examination without leaving the comfort of their own home.
Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Clients on disability with mild to moderate anxiety or depression can take part in online modules, which focus on improving their mental well-being. With weekly virtual touchpoints with a mental health professional, individuals will conveniently receive care and support.
These tools are part of Sun Life's commitment to its Clients as it continues to lead the industry. Sun Life will embed these solutions into its case management processes to transform the disability experience and help Clients with their treatment and recovery.
Explore new mental health-related apps, articles, products and services to help you and your family live a healthier life with Lumino Health, Sun Life's online health network. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, calling 9-1-1 and seeking immediate help may be necessary.
About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2019, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1,025 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars
_________________________________
i
Sun Life Barometer Survey 2019
ii
Towers Watson, 2009/2010 Staying@Work Report
Canadian Skin Patient Alliance Launches Skin Patient Charter
OTTAWA, Oct. 10, 2019 /CNW/ - The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance is proud to announce the launch of "Patient Charter for Canadians Living with Conditions, Diseases or Traumas involving the Skin." The intent of the document is to educate and empower patients to take an active role in their care and treatment as well as to safeguard the respect of society, government and workplace as a result of their diagnosis.
One of the foundations of patient-centered healthcare is that professionals provide care that is respectful of a patients needs, values and preferences, and that they ensure that the patient values drive all clinical decisions.
"We believe that patients should be empowered to play an active role in their care and treatment and this will lead to improved health outcomes and an increased adherence to treatment", says Kathryn Andrews-Clay, Executive Director of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance. "Our hope is that this educational document will facilitate a more collaborative relationship between skin patients and their health care providers. "
While this document has no legal significance, the CSPA will use the Charter to advocate for skin patients who may be treated unfairly at work, in the community or in a health care setting.
To find out more about the "Patient Charter for Canadians Living with Conditions, Diseases or Traumas involving the Skin" and the rights we believe all Canadian Skin patients are entitled to visit www.canadianskin.ca/charter.
About the CSPA
The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advocate, educate and support Canadians living with diseases, conditions and traumas involving the skin.
Our mission is to promote skin health and improve the quality of life of Canadians living with skin conditions, diseases and traumas. We advocate for best treatment options for all skin patients; we educate on a variety of issues affecting these patients; and we support the members of our Affiliate organizations who work specifically on their disease areas such as acne, scleroderma, melanoma and psoriasis.
SOURCE Canadian Skin Patient Alliance
Here is The One Trait Young People Most Want in a Partner
Relationship development experts discuss breaking international study which unveils what young people most desire in their mate
A new study published in the Journal of Personality surveyed over 2,700 college students in countries across the globe including Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and the United Kingdom. The researchers asked these young people what they most wanted in a long-term partner, and despite cultural differences and diverse religious beliefs, there was one common theme in their answers: Kindness was the top-rated quality across the board, even beating physical attraction, humor, and other desirable traits.
“This research proves that whether you live in London or Oslo or Kuala Lumpur, kindness trumps all. When looking for someone to spend the rest of their lives with, this was the number one quality that the vast majority of these young people said they needed in a mate,” says AJ Harbinger, relationship development expert.
“It’s an important study because I think many single people can feel inadequate when they consider the dating pool,” says Johnny Dzubak, fellow relationship development expert who co-hosts the popular lifestyle podcast Art of Charmwith Harbinger. “They might think, ‘Oh, I am not as attractive as the other guys out there’ or ‘I weigh more than a lot of the girls on Match,’ or ‘I don’t make enough money to be desirable.’ But as this study shows, kindness is a top quality that people seek in their partners…and regardless of your height, weight, or career, anyone can be kind.”
However, Harbinger and Dzubak say that kindness can be an elusive concept.
“Being kind sounds like a no-brainer, but you need to be kind in a way that lands for the people around you,” says Dzubak. “In other words, you need to have emotional intelligence, which means being aware of your own emotional energy and the way other people are reading you or experiencing your personality. It also means that you need to be attune to other people’s emotions, not just what they express to you, but also their hidden emotional worlds and unspoken needs.”
“It’s sort of like being a detective of emotions,” says Harbinger. “And while women tend to be super-gifted at this emotional reading and expression, men can really use work in this area. That is why Johnny and I always tell men that if they want to attract more potential partners, they need to do more than just work on their six-pack. They need to improve their emotional intelligence and become more skilled at creating those emotional connections that are a crucial part of kindness.”
“Kindness is at a high premium, especially in our fast-paced technological world. Being able to emotionally connect with your dates in a deep, meaningful way is so much more attractive than having the biggest muscles or the biggest bank account,” says Dzubak.
Actress Bella Thorne & Glass House Group
Launch Forbidden Flowers:
A Consumer Cannabis & CBD Brand
Thorne, A Long-Time Cannabis Enthusiast,
Embodies the Brand’s Creative, Captivating and Rebellious Free Spirit
(October 9, 2019) Los Angeles- Bella Thorne, the artist, actress, musician, best-selling author, director, entrepreneur and long-time cannabis enthusiast, has joined forces with Glass House Group, one of the fastest-growing, privately held, vertically integrated cannabis and hemp companies in the U.S., through its cultivation division Glass House Farms, to launch Forbidden Flowers, a new cannabis and CBD brand.
The initial launch will officially kick off with a “Forbidden Flowers Tour”’ which will take place over the next seven weeks. Starting on Thursday, October 10, 2019, on the forbiddenxflowers Instagram page at 10:00 a.m. PT, the first retail location, where consumers can purchase products from the following day on Friday, October 11, 2019, will be revealed. Each Thursday following at 10:00 a.m. PT through Thursday, November 21, 2019, the forbiddenxflowers Instagram page will reveal a new retail location in California, where Forbidden Flowers products can be purchased the following Friday. At the end of the seven weeks, additional retail locations across the Golden State that will carry Forbidden Flowers, will be announced to fans.
“I have struggled with anxiety for many years, and weed was the one source I found for me to do the most healing. Because of the properties in weed, I have been able to cope with my anxiety in a natural way, rather than my doctors trying to fix it using prescription drugs,“ said Artist Bella Thorne
“It’s been great spending time with Bella and getting to know and understand her as an individual before we created her brand together,” saidGlass House Group Chief Marketing Officer Groovy Singh. “Her creative direction on Forbidden Flowers has been absolutely artistic and impressive. We’re proud to join forces with Bella in rolling out this sexy, enticing, high-quality brand that embodies her captivating spirit. The authenticity of what we are bringing to market together with Forbidden Flowers is what Bella handpicked at our grow, consumed and loved. At a time when more people are exploring the power of cannabis, we look forward to introducing a whole new community to the benefits of cannabis and to Bella sharing with her fans and consumers the ways she incorporates cannabis and CBD into her daily lifestyle.”
Bella worked intimately with Glass House Group to create Forbidden Flowers, which aims to give consumers the same rebellious, empowered feeling many consumers get when they consume cannabis. Today, despite the plant being legal in more than two-thirds of the U.S. in some form, cannabis consumers still face a variety of outdated stigmas. Recognizing that more new consumers are eager to become better educated about cannabis and CBD, Thorne plans to share the various ways she incorporates cannabis and CBD into her lifestyle, health and wellness regimes with her more than 21 million social media followers.
“Bella’s entire product line has been cultivated at our sun-powered, state-of-the-art facility in California using the same high-quality control and earth-friendly approach we are known and respected for,” said Glass House Group President Graham Farrar. “We brought some genetics that we grew specifically for Bella for this launch, and we’re confident that both our long-time customers and new consumers are going to love these new product lines.”
To fit any mood or setting, Forbidden Flowers’ Indica, Sativa, Hybrid and CBD varieties will be available in stylish: glass jars eighths of flower; pre-roll five-packs; and pre-roll singles. Each Forbidden Flowers variety has been cultivated exclusively at Glass House Farms in Santa Barbara using coastal sun, organic standards and environmental sensibility to deliver uncompromising quality to consumers.
“We set out to engage a whole growing community of consumers embracing the cannabis and CBD market,” said Glass House Group CEO Kyle Kazan. “We’re pleased to have Forbidden Flowers join our growing portfolio of brands and to bring these products to consumers. We also look forward to rolling out more strategic brands and announcing partnerships in the future.”
Bella Thorne is an actress, best-selling author, director, philanthropist musician and entrepreneur. She entered the entertainment business at six months of age and now at twenty-one has amassed an empire that stretches from acting to various entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic endeavors that have set her apart from your normal millennial entertainer. Her unapologetic authenticity and ability to be raw with her fans has generated a loyal and diehard following on her social media pages, which consists of 21.5M on Instagram, 6.9M on Twitter, 529k subscribers on YouTube. She is a force to be reckoned with and is just getting started.
About Glass House Group
Glass House Group is one of the fastest-growing, privately held, vertically integrated cannabis and hemp companies in the U.S. Its family of eco-friendly, community-conscious cultivation, manufacturing, brands and retail locations bring to market only the finest strains of cannabis and hemp using cutting-edge care, technologies and environmental sensibility to deliver uncompromising craft-quality strains, flower, extracts, pre-rolls, vaporizers, cartridges and apparel. As a leading brand-enabling company, celebrities, artists, athletes and influencers turn to Glass House Group to create powerful partnerships that reach new audiences and drive consumer engagement. Currently, Glass House Group is expanding its suite of companies, product lines and brands and is expected to see sizable growth throughout 2019 and beyond. For more information and company updates, visit https://www.glasshousegroup.com.
Study in rats suggests special occasion drinking during pregnancy may cause harm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
If you thought a glass or two of alcohol on special occasions was safe during pregnancy, think again. Research in The Journal of Physiology shows even small amounts of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can cause insulin-resistance, which increases the likelihood of diabetes, in male rat offspring.
The study mimicked 'special occasion drinking', such as a family barbeque or birthday party, where a pregnant mother might be encouraged to have one or two alcoholic drinks. Male rats exposed to this low level of prenatal alcohol showed signs of becoming diabetic at around six months old. The researchers only gave alcohol to the mother rats on two days during their pregnancy.
The rats’ blood alcohol concentration only reached 0.05%, and yet their male offspring became almost diabetic, with insulin levels reaching higher than expected to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Another interesting finding was that insulin-resistance was sex-specific, occurring only in the male rats. There are a couple of potential reasons for this, one being that during pregnancy, the placenta adapts to a prenatal stress differently depending on if it’s a male or female fetus, and this can impact on fetal growth and development.
The other factor is hormone changes as offspring grow into adulthood. In this case, oestrogen protects against insulin-resistance, and because males don't have high oestrogen, they don’t experience the same protection.
Commenting on the study University of Queensland researcher Lisa Akison, senior author on the study, said:
“Even a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy can be harmful, so if you're planning on getting pregnant don't drink. Families, partners and friends should support a woman’s choice not to drink alcohol during pregnancy. If a woman accidentally becomes pregnant, and unknowingly drinks alcohol during the first part of their pregnancy, the important thing once they know is to stop drinking, have a good diet and take care of themselves throughout the remainder of the pregnancy."
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
