Summary, Feedback, and Potential Future Entries

I began this blog as part of a college course project.  It was my first time creating a blog, and I feel grateful for the opportunity to advance my technical skills as well as my knowledge of psychoactive drugs.  I hope it has prompted critical thought regarding drug use, public policies, the pharmaceutical industry, etc.

 I welcome comments and feedback on prior posts or input on continuing this blog for those who are following it.  In all likelihood, I shall continue blogging; however, my posts may expand beyond the scope of just drugs to other potentially addictive behaviors.  Moreover, my posts will vary in regularity depending on my schedule, which means sometimes I will post less frequently than I have since the inception of this blog.  Until next time, I wish you all well.  :)

Revolving Doors and Conflicts of Interest

What a tangled web is woven when individuals exchange ethics for monetary gain.  Please research PDUFA.  It can be found on the FDA website.  They fully acknowledge that they collect "product" fees from pharmaceutical companies, which has expedited the drug approval process since its inception in 1992.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDlH9sV0lHU

 

References

 

Derekw6826. (December 13, 2010). Making a killing: The untold story of psychotropic drugging - full movie (documentary). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDlH9sV0lHU

The Unholy Alliance between the Pharmaceutical Industry and the Medical Community

Have you ever felt bombarded or fed up by the overwhelming spate of pharmaceutical ads?  After the second or third commercial within a 30-60 minute time frame, these marketing ploys resemble the antics of the untold snake oil salesmen peddling "cure-all" elixirs and patent medicines from the past.  The U.S. government from the DEA to the FDA, Congress, etc. spends a great deal of revenue and time focusing on the illicit drug trade.  Equally, both the medical and mental health communities concentrate the majority of their efforts on illegal drug use, misuse, and abuse.  Why not concede that a highly profitable, albeit, unholy alliance has developed between academia, the medical and mental health professions, the FDA, and Big Pharma?  In other words, utilize available resources to initiate and advance internal systemic reforms.  Perhaps, I am being far too naïve when so much money and power is at stake.  Nonetheless, Dr. Fung and others are speaking up and expressing both their concerns and outrage.  Will they be censured by their peers and lose their credibility or will others also bravely step out as advocates for the people?  Time will tell.  Attached below is a YouTube video of one of Dr. Fung's revealing lectures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlHGJoYpBqM

 

References

 

Fung, J. (March 1, 2013). How we have been lied to by Big Pharma. Retrieved from            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlHGJoYpBqM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Reflections on Synthetic Marijuana

Wherever one looks whether in the natural world or a laboratory, drugs have a strong influence.  Likewise, in spite of the risks or potentially harmful side effects, people will continue to find new and unusual methods to get high.  Nevertheless, knowledge is power when it comes to educating oneself concerning the dangers of any drug.  With that in mind, I wanted to share an article from last year linking smoking synthetic marijuana (also known as Spice or K2) with a higher incidence of ischemic strokes. 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131119142230.htm
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Splitting hairs with regard to censoring various depictions of drug use in the media

Today I happened to turn on the television and come across a popular film that had been edited for content.  It struck me as rather asinine that the censors would approve showing a scene in which one actor was snorting cocaine; meanwhile, an entire segment of the film was completely cut out depicting another key actor shooting up heroin.  Really?  What's the difference?  It is almost painfully obvious that these petty distinctions are politically, racially, and socioeconomically motivated.  Apparently, quibbling like hypocrisy knows no bounds.

LA Times Article

I recently referenced this LA Times article in a discussion thread.  I thought I would post the article in its entirety for review.

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-lsd-trial-safety-20140304,0,3840273.story

 

References:



Healy, M. (2014, March 5). First trial of LSD as medicine in 40 years shows promise. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-lsd-trial- safety-20140304,0,3840273.story

I recently viewed this documentary on CNN.  It is approx. 43 minutes long; however, well worth the watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAFu-Ihwyzg

References:

 

MoxNews.com (March 11, 2014). Dr. Sanjay Gupta's weed 2 documentary. Retrieved from   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAFu-Ihwyzg