health – An Autonomous Agent

Endocannabinoid System

anautonomousagent — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 02:07:04 +0000

Posted here are three great lectures on cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System in the human body. The first lecture, by Dr. Robert Melamede is my favorite. Melamede frequently references Ilya Prigogine’s work and provides an understanding of the Endocannabinoid system based on a “far from equilibrium” perspective. For the more physics and math inclined readers, this is a wonderful connection.

Dr. Robert Melamede – Endocannabinoid System

The Endocannabinoid System in Health and Disease – Dr. Ethan Russo

Quick summary:

Endocannabinoid System composed of three components: 1) endocannabinoids, 2) CB₁, CB₂ and TRPV₁ receptors, and 3) regulatory enzymes
CB₁ is the most abundant G-protein-coupled receptor in the brain
Cannabinoids modulate how fast things move through the gut!
CB₁ is the “psychoactive receptor” and CB₂ is the immunomodulatory receptor
CBs 10-fold more potent than morphine in WDR neurons mediating pain
All humans have a baseline Endocannabinoid System, influenced by genetics or some life event; in some people the system becomes deficient – disease and other issues arise in the body
Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED)
THC notoriously increases appetite, why aren’t users more often obese? THC alters the microfloral balance in gut, prevents weight gain
Cannabis very effective in Fibromyalgia
Migraine info at 41 min
Migraine related to CED

Cannabis and Cannabinoids – Dr. Jeffrey Hergenrather

Quick summary:

Compared to the flower: oils, edibles and other extracts lose many of the cannabinoids and terpenes
Cannabis is an adaptogen – can give you whatever your body needs to regain its homeostasis
CBDs with THC works optimally, together it gives a greater than additive effect, i.e. better than consuming each individually; plant flower and all it contains is overall better than the extracts
At 1 hour and 2 min in the lecture, entire list of cancers which exhibit cannabinoid sensitivity and in many cases the tumor goes away with cannabinoid treatment

Diets, Animals, and the Environment

anautonomousagent — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 02:36:31 +0000

Consider, in 2008 Americans killed an estimated 8,130,000,000 chickens and 40,800,000 cows. Those are the statistics for a single year! The total estimated global stock of chickens and cows in 2011 was 19 and 1.4 billion, respectively. Might the environmental crisis be due in part to sustaining livestock for consumption. The documentary Cowspiracy suggests this to be the case. There is not much one can do to convince someone who was raised eating meat to switch from an omnivore to an herbivore diet. If you don’t believe me, try it! Or, tell that person to watch a documentary like Forks Over Knives. The benefits of a whole-food plant-based diet are incredible. Making the transition will not only improve your health but also save the life of the planet. Note, make sure you know about the necessity of Vitamin B12 supplements for vegetarian diets.

It is impossible for livestock consumption to continue growing at this pace indefinitely into the future. The pressure on the environment from livestock grows daily. At some point either the human population will change their behavior to alleviate this pressure or the Biosphere will take matters into its own hands. My own pessimistic opinion is that it will inevitably be nature who reprimands her children. The punishment, or gift — depending on your perspective — might be a virus, plague, prion, drought, or famine which wipes out a species of livestock.

Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World – Paul Stamets

anautonomousagent — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 17:56:28 +0000

Know nothing about mushrooms, fungi, or mycelia? — Paul Stamet’s Mycelium Running opens a door to an exotic universe beneath your feet. Fungi and their interaction with ecosystems upturn all of what you thought you knew about the button mushrooms on your salad or pizza. Fungi, simply and truely, are incredibly important and amazing organisms. And as Stamets proves, they are a powerful tool to maintain the world for all of our descendants — not to mention their ability to provide a healthy and functioning human immune system.

Fungi Perfecti is Stamet’s family owned company for those interested in supporting mycoremediation, mycoforestry, mycofiltration, or mycopesticides.

TianChi

anautonomousagent — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 16:23:10 +0000

TianChi is a good herbal supplement for overall health and to maintain the energy centers of the body, i.e. the adrenal glands. I have had a really pleasant experience and a noticeable improvement in wellness and mental clarity. I didn’t try it because I was having any difficulties or problems with my health. Rather, I find herbs and their influence on human chemistry to be worth experiencing. Even if you are not interested in it, I would research any of the herbs it contains and perhaps add some of them to your diet. Roger Drummer is the formulator of the blend.

Here is the list of herbs which are contained in TianChi:

Albizzia (Albizzia julibrissin)
Anemerrhna
Ashwagandha (Sensoril)
Astragalus
Cistanche
Clubmoss (Huperzia serrata)
Cocoa
Ecklonia Bicyclis (Arame)
Eluthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Epimedium
Eucommia
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Green Tea (Soy Lecithin)
He Shou Wu (Fallopia multiflora)
Licorice Root
Lycium
Polygala Root
Reishi (Lingzhi mushroom)
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)
Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

Marijuana Reconsidered – Lester Grinspoon

anautonomousagent — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 04:56:00 +0000

For a remarkable and insightful book on cannabis sativa, I would suggest reading Marijuana Reconsidered by Lester Grinspoon. The book provided the first real scientific investigation into the psychedelic properties of cannabis sativa. I found the section by Mr. X (Carl Sagan) to be informative, accurate, and humorous. The fact that marijuana was documented, by William Osler, long before the 1930’s to be the most effective cure for a migraine was a complete surprise to me. I highly recommend this book and any other by Lester Grinspoon.

Volcano Vaporizer

anautonomousagent — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:46:00 +0000

Created by the German company Storz and Bickel, the Volcano Vaporizer is the best on the market. Highly recommend for anyone wishing to aromatically flavour their food.

Hearos High Fidelity Ear Plugs

anautonomousagent — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 06:44:00 +0000

Caring about your ears should be the priority of anyone who loves music. To be able to hear the beauty of the universe, for me, provides peace, harmony, and meaning. Any time one goes to a concert, or even a bar which blasts music, he/she should protect their ears with these ear plugs.

Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing – Thich Nhat Hanh

anautonomousagent — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:55:00 +0000

In his book Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing, Thich Nhat Hanh supplies a commentary on the Anapanasati Sutta. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in learning how to achieve a state of well-being and health.

The Natural Mind: An Investigation of Drugs and the Higher Consciousness – Andrew Weil, M.D.

anautonomousagent — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 17:27:00 +0000

In America there exists a large population of people who lack an adequate education on drugs. The evidence for this conclusion lies in the government’s miss-classification of various drugs, people’s acceptance of prescription drugs, and the fact that the public education system actually spreads drug ignorance. For an introduction to the whole issue I would recommend reading Dr. Andrew Weil’s book, The Natural Mind: An Investigation of Drugs and the Higher Consciousness.

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are – Alan Watts

anautonomousagent — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 21:57:00 +0000

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, by Alan Watts, was the first book that I read by Watts. The insight into Vedanta and eastern philosophy given by this book will impress you and possibly alter your entire outlook on life. This book provides a great starting point for the rest of Watts’ works.