Category: Health & Fitness

Is CBD Oil Safe? Should Teens and Young Adults be Taking These Types of Substances?

CBD oil is the health craze of the moment, and interest in this product shows no signs of slowing down; but what exactly is it? Is CBD oil safe to consume? And is it something that teenagers and young people should be trying either with or without adult supervision?

is cbd oil safe for teens

What is CBD oil?

CBD stands for cannabidol, and it is one of the 100+ chemicals which are found in a cannabis plant. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid which makes you high, but CBD doesn’t have that effect; making it an attractive option for people who want the medical benefits of weed without the psychoactive side effects. CBD oil is produced by taking the CBD from the plant and mixing it with an oil like hemp seed or coconut.

How does CBD oil help people?

Although there is not much documented scientific research on the benefits of using CBD oil, many people claim it relieves pain, reduces anxiety, helps clear up acne, helps aid sleep, and can even help better manage epilepsy. CBD oil can be added to moisturiser and applied to the skin, inhaled using a vape device, or taken directly through drops or a mouth spray, making it simple and convenient to use. There are many brands that sell CBD Oil online such as sensei cbd oil.

Is CBD oil safe?

This is a strongly debated question. There haven’t been as many scientific research studies on CBD oil as on other medical products, and some scientists are worried that the long term effects are likely to be harmful. However, there are enough positive reports of smaller research products to suggest that, in general, CBD oil without too much THC is able to help people with a variety of health conditions.

The legality of CBD in the United States differs from state to state. In the UK, CBD oil is not illegal f used for medical purposes. Regardless of legalties, caustion should be used, because like any medicine CBD oil can have unpleasant side effects, including nausea, dizziness, raised anxiety, depression, dry mouth, vomiting, upset stomach, and appetite changes.

It can also have a bad reaction to certain medicines you may be already taking, so to be safe it is always best to talk to a medical professional before using CBD oil.

Another worry is that without strict regulations in place anyone is free to make and sell what they claim to be CBD oil, but could actually be anything at all.

Is CBD oil safe and something young people should be using?

Medically supervised CBD oil treatments have proven extremely effective in treating conditions such as autism and severe epilepsy amongst American young people, perhaps because the doctors involved are able to deliver the best CBD-THC ratio. Many believe CBD alone is not effective, but a ratio of 19:1 is generally fine, and produces the desired results without a child or young person getting high.

There is no evidence that CBD oil is an attractive recreational product.When used for medical reasons –while keeping an eye out for typical side effects — there’s no suggestion it is unsafe for users of any age as long as used under the advice and supervision of a licensed medical professional.

Small Things, Big Consequences

Ever hear ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ or ‘It’s the little things that matter’? You know you could have fixed that little rip in your fav T-shirt and regretted later that you didn’t stitch it up before it made the entire shirt into something you could only wear to bed. There are, however, some seemingly small daily details that can produce very unfortunate outcomes when ignored too long.

“It Doesn’t Really Matter If I Skip Brushing Sometimes, Does It?”

Even when you don’t eat very much on a given day, bacteria still flourish in your mouth and eat away at your tooth enamel. Once that enamel is worn down enough, the interior of your teeth is under constant attack. The only thing standing between your teeth and that bacteria is your regular practice of brushing, flossing and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash, combined with regular dental care. Leaving all those food particles on your teeth leads to plaque formation, cavities and ultimately, many reasons a root canal may be necessary. Root canals are never a pleasant experience and almost always are a far more expensive process than the simple practice of keeping your mouth clean on the regular.

“80 Percent of Sun Damage Occurs Before Age 18, So Why Worry About It Now?”

Wrong! Try 25 percent, which means the earlier you begin protecting your skin with good quality sunscreens, the less likely that you will be dealing with the damage associated with cumulative sun exposure, such as skin cancer (melanoma), wrinkles, thinning skin, dark spots, and ‘broken’ capillary veins on the skin.

“What’s So Important About A Good Night’s Sleep?”

Getting your daily rest is more important than most of us realize. When we are genuinely exhausted, it can lead to such serious issues as heart disease, lowered immune response, inflammation, erratic moods and inappropriate behavior, forgetfulness, and irritability. Cutting your sleep short over time can contribute to things like poor motivation, being unable to crush it at the gym, and an irresistible craving for high-fat, high-carbohydrate foods, due in part to a rise in cortisol, the stress hormone. Chances are, you’re staying up late because you’re looking at your phone, which can add a whole bunch of other issues as well.

To avoid all these significant problems, try this simple recipe: good dental hygiene, sunscreen SPF 30, and seven hours of sleep a night. For more health tips, check out our other articles!

Understanding The Opioid Crisis And Why It’s a Big Deal

You might have heard about the ongoing opioid crisis and the devastation it’s had on communities across America. However, if you don’t know someone coping with opioid addiction, it can be difficult to realize the immense toll it takes on people. This information will help you understand the opioid crisis better.

Prescription Gateway

When you think of opioids, you might just think of heroin. However, many opioids are given as legal prescriptions by doctors. What often occurs is patients will be given strong painkillers following a significant injury. They will develop a dependence on these substances but be unable to keep taking them when their prescription runs out. So, they will turn to use heroin, which seems affordable but becomes more expensive the further they come to rely on it. Over-prescribing of pain medications is definitely a factor in the current opioid epidemic.

Getting Clean

Getting sober from opioids can be incredibly difficult. Dependence can shape an addict’s mind and body in the worst ways. It is definitely possible to get sober, but it needs to be done responsibly and with medical supervision. There are two treatments right now, methadone and suboxone, what’s the different? Methadone primarily helps with opioid addictions (as well as chronic pain), while suboxone helps with opioid dependence. Deciding between methadone vs suboxone (big difference in volume) is, of course, going to be up to the attending physician.

A Fatal Disease

There were approximately 64,000 deaths due to drug overdoses in 2016. Of that number, over half can be contributed to opioids. Opioid addiction isn’t just a matter of being well or unwell. It’s a matter of life and death. The number of people who die from opioids is unquestionably significant.

It Can Happen To Anyone

When you don’t know anyone experiencing opioid addiction, it can be easy to distance yourself from it. It’s important to remember that no one plans to become addicted to opioids and that addiction can happen to anyone. It doesn’t discriminate based on age, race, gender, or class. Take a moment to think about the people you know and love. It could be family members, friends, or coworkers. People just like them are dealing with opioid addiction.

Even if you have never dealt with opioid addiction, it’s important to understand the dramatic effects of this disease. With this knowledge, you can help your peers focus instead on health and fitness by reminding them of the impact of the opioid crisis in American today. Remember this information and just how severely addiction can take over someone’s life.

References:

Right Path Addiction Treatment Center

The New York Times

Health Line

The Effects of Late-Night Phone Use on Adolescent Health

It’s not a crime to stay up late playing on your phone, but there are definitely some very well-documented deficits to your health when you regularly engage with smartphones close and during bedtime.

While some adolescents in your household might think so, they aren’t exempt from the shortfalls in health as a result of using mobile phones late at night. If they needed some proof of the bad effects that come from not putting the phone down at certain times, we have a collection of informative and factual reasons that will serve to point them in the right direction.

Using a smartphone can interrupt good sleep

You can fork out all the money in the world for bedroom furniture that will give your teens the best night’s sleep, but if they’re glued to their phones, then the blue light will act to disrupt the production of melatonin; this is the hormone that regulates the body’s sleep cycle.

The standout negative effects of this will result in increased sleepless nights, which is never a good thing when younger members of the family are still developing. Fatigue is also bad for their overall mood, not to mention the potential for the onset of depression and anxiety.

Using a smartphone can damage your eyes

The blue light that’s emitted from your mobile phone is one element of the full light spectrum. This is something that we are exposed to via the sun’s rays; however, when humans, particularly adolescents are exposed to this at nighttime, it can be damaging to their vision.

Direct exposure to blue light can also damage your retinas over time. This might not be an instant concern for younger members of the family, but loss of vision should not be taken lightly, therefore, making them aware of the dangers they are faced with is important.

Using a smartphone can affect attention spans

Your teens might be alone when they are using their phones at night, but this doesn’t mean that the effects stay in the bedroom. You might think that they don’t listen at the best of times, but just imagine if their attention spans are lessened due to smartphone use at bedtime.

Let’s be honest, we’re all guilty of using our phones too much, especially at night, but you’ve got to lead by example because adults are more likely to be aware of the fact that the simple presence of a smartphone causes a distraction.

Using a smartphone might cause electromagnetic radiation problems

At present, there’s no concrete evidence on the matter, scientists claim that radiation from smartphones has been said to be connected to health problems.

The scientists who conducted the study have called on the World Health Organization and governments and the UN, to introduce rigorous regulations concerning mobile phones that produce electromagnetic fields.

What can you do to overcome these issues?

If you are concerned with the problems associated with adolescents in your family using their smartphones at night, there are ways that you can approach the subject to help them reduce their nighttime usage.

Obviously showing them the points raised above will help but talk with your teen about their phone use is also a really effective method too.

It could do more harm than good if you were to lay down a new set of stringent rules in regard to mobile phones use in the bedroom, so have a chat with them and see if they are aware of the health issues themselves.

Put the ball in their court and give them choices, explain how scrolling through social media right throughout the night can have negative effects on their health and wellbeing.

Another informed choice you can opt for is to form a regular bedtime routine that the entire family can/will realistically adhere to.

Bedtime routines for young children are frequently talked about, but bedtime rituals are also just as important for the adolescents in the family, too.

Promote quiet activity in the two hours leading up to before bed, whatever that may be. You can show that you are practising what you preach by having a certain room, or spot in the house where each member of the family can deposit their phones within an allotted time period before you tuck yourselves into bed.

You can also adopt, the use of mindfulness apps or listening to soothing music to aid in relaxing their minds and bodies before bed.

These are just a couple of the ideas you can use to help your teens to understand how to overcome the negative effects associated with using a smartphone at night. Essentially, there isn’t a stock, black-or-white answer that works for each family, it’s about finding a balance and bringing awareness on the matter.

Does D.A.R.E. Work?

Featured image credit: D.A.R.E. Program | Talbot County

Tips for Keeping Kids Away from Drugs

D.A.R.E. is a program that has been implemented in schools to keep young kids away from drugs. The acronym stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and was implemented in public schools around the time your parents were there. The main purpose of the program was to increase awareness about drug abuse and addiction, as well as teaching kids how to not give into peer pressure.

The Specifics

The D.A.R.E. program started with the slogan, “Just say no,” which became a veritable meme, even before there was an internet to help it spread. The program lasted for seventeen weeks and included structured lessons about topics including personal rights, peer pressure, self-esteem, and alternatives to engaging in substance abuse and violence.

Criticism of the Program

Image credit: Police in Classroom | Counter Current News

Although the program seems like an intuitive solution to drug abuse among teenagers, D.A.R.E. wasn’t without its critics. Over thirty different studies concluded that the program did not have short-term or long-term effects on youth drug experimentation. At least one longitudinal study that lasted for over a decade indicated that those who completed the D.A.R.E. program were not less likely to partake in drug abuse or related behaviors, possibly because of D.A.R.E.’s obsessive focus on education without devoting resources to increased accountability. According to Recover Resource, structured accountability groups decrease risk of relapse and experimentation, so you would expect it to be a critical piece of a program designed to keep kids away from drugs.

In addition to the criticism on the program’s effectiveness, others criticized the fact that officers teach the course instead of educators. Some have argued that these officers do not receive enough training to effectively teach the course. Critics have suggested that the involvement of school counselors or trained educators would be more effective in delivering the material.

Benefits of the Program

D.A.R.E. continues to educate kids about the dangers of harmful substances and risky behaviors. While it may not be the comprehensive solution that your parents or their parents hoped it would be, it probably doesn’t hurt to be informed about these issues

The D.A.R.E. program had mixed results, at best. The design of the program might not have been fatally flawed, but the problem was that too many parents and educators used it as a crutch to avoid difficult conversations. Adults need to trust that you’re mature enough to have these conversations, however uncomfortable they are for everyone involved. After all, you’re going to be making more and more of your own decisions in the next couple of years, so it makes sense for you to know the relevant facts so you can live the kind of life you want to live.

Don’t Want Braces? Talk to Your Parents About These Options

For the majority of teens and pre-teens, braces have become a rite of passage—a symbol that you’re growing up. These metal wires often stay on for years, resulting in straighter and more beautiful teeth than ever before. While there’s no doubt that the results of braces will guarantee you a beautiful and functional smile, many teens don’t like how braces look and find them embarrassing.

Fortunately, there are other orthodontic alternatives.

1. Clear Plastic Braces

For those who don’t like the look of metal braces, these nearly invisible alternatives are definitely worth considering. Each ‘tray’ or set of clear aligners is custom made for each patient, with adjustments made over the course of treatment. These are suitable for addressing a variety of dental issues, including overcrowding, crooked teeth, gaps, overbite, and underbite. According to Dentaly.org, clear aligners are used anywhere from 9-18 months. That’s much shorter than the usual treatment period for braces. Plus, you can take out clear aligners when you eat and to brush and floss, making your daily dental hygiene routine that much easier.

2. Lingual Braces

While traditional braces are attached to the front of the teeth, lingual braces are actually attached to the back. They function in the exact same way as regular metal braces, but just without the metal on the front of your smile. They correct all the same problems that regular metal braces do, but without the embarrassment. That being said, their location can sometimes feel uncomfortable or strange to the tongue. Also, their location and position may make them a challenge to keep clean, so you’ll have to be extra diligent at brushing and flossing. Many dentists recommend getting an oral irrigation device to help clear food debris from these kind of braces to help keep them clean.

3. Veneers

Northstar Dental explains that veneers “are a cosmetic dental procedure in which a thin layer of porcelain or composite material is placed over the outside of the tooth.” For those who are only looking to change the look of their teeth, but not to alter their position, veneers may be the best option. These are custom-made porcelain caps that are permanently attached to the teeth. The end result is a normal-looking set of teeth that are straight and perfectly aligned with all the others. This is generally a great option for broken, discolored, or cracked teeth that can’t otherwise be corrected.

4. Ceramic Braces

With ceramic braces, the brackets are made of porcelain so that they blend in with the teeth and are less noticeable. Tooth-colored wires are also available to further make the appearance less noticeable. Metamorphosis Dental says that “Although ceramic braces may not be recommendable for a few cases of misalignment and biting problems, it is suitable for treating crooked teeth, overbite or overjet and widely spaced teeth or crowded teeth. Ceramic braces are generally more expensive but with given advantages when compared to metal braces.” These are as effective as braces, but they tend to be less painful and to irritate the gums less.

Kissing Braces Goodbye!

Talk to your parents if you don’t want traditional metal braces, because there are good alternatives! From there, you can work with your dentist to determine which option is best for you and your teeth. You might be surprised by which choice can help make your teeth look beautiful without the need for metal wires.

Is that person drowning? Drowning signs and symptoms to look out for.

As summer creeps closer, it’s essential to educate yourself on drowning prevention. This is an accident that should never occur. Drowning is not what we are used to seeing in the movies – with someone splashing around and calling for help. It is usually silent, especially with young children who do not realize they won’t be able to breathe underwater.

That’s why it is important to assign one person as a designated Water Watcher and change shifts every 15 minutes when children are in the pool. Active supervision means:

Sitting close to the pool with your full attention on the child/children
No phones or reading materials!
Do a regular headcount
Step in when there is too much horsing around
If you have to step away, another adult must be designated as the Water Watcher

Do not leave a toddler or young child in the pool area without adult supervision. Older children are not always as sensitive to the dangers of drowning, and my not recognize the warning signs.

Look for these signs of drowning:

Head low in the water, mouth at water level
Head tilted back with mouth open
Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
Eyes closed
Hair over forehead or eyes
Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
Trying to roll over on the back
Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder.

Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water.

One way to be sure is to simple ask them, “Are you alright?” If they can answer, they are probably okay. If they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to rescue them.

That’s also why every parent, babysitter, and teenager should be trained in CPR. This training is essential to get oxygen to the brain and can make the difference between life, permanent disability, and death.

For more pool safety tips, download the Pool Safety Guide from Life Saver Pool Fence. https://www.poolfence.com/pool-safety-guide/

Article provided by Life Safer Pool Fence

Five Important Life Lessons Going to the Dentist Taught Us

Sometimes, as teenagers, we might not fully grasp the importance of taking care of our teeth and visiting the dentist. For many teens, visiting the dentist can even be an overwhelming experience. Although dentists have our best interests at heart, they can be intimidating to anyone who doesn’t understand why they are there. As we grow older, we learn about the value of good dental health and regular dental checkups.

It is essential for parents to teach their children the significance of oral hygiene and to visit the dentist. To learn more about what going to the dentist has shown us, continue reading.

It’s Not As Scary As It Seems

Many children are frightened of going to the dentist. It’s not hard to see why, as dentists often seem threatening with their scary tools, gadgets, and strange noises. As we get older, we realize that for the most part, the dental office isn’t such a frightening place. They keep our mouths and teeth healthy and looking presentable, and often give us a free toothbrush at the end of our checkup.

It Is Important To Brush

The dentist teaches us from a very early age that brushing and flossing are crucial. Good oral hygiene prevents plaque, cavities, and gum disease. The less dental problems and conditions we have, the less we need to see the dentist. Kids should be taught the importance of dental hygiene to ensure that they remain healthy, as well as to prevent the need for more dental visits in the future.

Everyone Needs To Go To The Dentist

Although visiting the dentist can be intimidating, it is a part of life that everyone must participate in. Even with good oral hygiene, we still need to have our teeth cleaned, and our mouths looked over. Dental visits are necessary for everyone and prevent the occurrence of many harmful conditions.

According to ABC Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, “our goal is to equip each child with the tools they need to maintain healthy teeth for a lifetime.”

Too Much Sugar Leads To Cavities

Everyone loves sugar. It is almost a daily part of our diet. The dentist teaches us that indulging in too much sugar can wreak havoc on our teeth. Cavities form when bacteria and sugar build up on the teeth and eventually destroy the enamel. From a very early age, kids should be taught that excessive sugar intake can lead to unhealthy teeth and gums.

Cavities Aren’t The End Of The World

Even with brushing and flossing, some of us will inevitably end up with cavities. This diagnosis can be a scary thought for a child, but parents should teach their kids that treating cavities and other ailments are not as painful as it seems. Getting a filling to prevent a cavity will usually hurt less than needing a root canal or other procedure because the cavity was not resolved. It is always best for kids to be open and honest about any dental issues they may be having so that they can receive the proper treatment.

If your child is struggling with the thought of going to the dentist, they are not alone. Teaching your kids the importance of oral health and visiting a dentist is a good way to instill life lessons about the value of a healthy mouth. Your child will eventually learn to appreciate the dentist as much as you do.

Personal Beauty: How to Fall in Love with How You Look

No one looks perfect all the time. Even supermodel Cindy Crawford once said, “Even I don’t wake up looking like Cindy Crawford.” If you have attributes that you don’t like, you may be able to improve them and help yourself become healthier at the same time.

Skin

Your skin is your biggest organ, and taking care of it is the first step to a beautiful you. One of the biggest mistakes people make is washing their skin too often. This dries it out, which can lead to redness, flaky skin, and other problems. To combat dryness, your skin may produce more oil, which can lead to breakouts. Unless your dermatologist tells you otherwise, there is no real reason to wash your face more than twice a day. If you have to skip one of these washes, skip the morning. You shouldn’t ever skip your nightly face washing routine. Make sure that you remove all your makeup and use a moisturizer after washing your face. Moisturizers trap the water in your skin, which makes it look and feel better.

Hair

Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you, so if you have to deal with difficult hair, you may spend a lot of time trying to get it to cooperate with you. While there are some things you can do with all types of hair, different styles and treatments can make your hair easier to work with. For example, curly hair should not be washed every day, fine hair gets weighed down by heavy moisturizers, and thin hair looks stringy if it isn’t volumized. If you have tight curls, using a hair relaxer can help keep your hair under control. Look for products for your hair type, so you get the best results. You can also talk to a stylist about getting your hair cut specifically to make your hair more manageable.

Makeup

Makeup is a great way to feel better about how you look, but you can easily make things worse. Investing in a good foundation is a great start. Cheaper foundations have a limited range of shades and can make you look like a clown. Almost all makeup stores will do a free color match for you, which will get you the right shade with the right undertones. Don’t apply too heavily; it’s bad for your skin. Only do heavy makeup on your eyes or your lips, never both. You will look like you are wearing too much makeup. Once you find a look that works for you, stick with that. You can modify it a little bit for special occasions, but having a go-to look will not only help you feel good about how you look, but it can also help you get ready quickly.

No matter what you decide to do to improve your look, remember that there is no one way that you have to look to be beautiful. As cliché as it sounds, a lot of your beauty comes from how you present yourself and how you act. Find something that you love and make it yours.

Napping Is Healthy For Teens But Why?

It seems teenagers feel tired almost all the time. Waking up early in the morning for school, studying all day long, doing extracurricular activities and hanging out with friends and family can wear anyone out, I know! Plus, the science of sleep (and that includes napping) says it’s entirely reasonable for the natural sleep patterns to change during adolescence, shifting towards later hours for going to bed and waking up.

Staying up late during weekdays and sleeping belated on the weekends affects your biological clock and the quality of your rest. Thus, you are prone to various sleep disorders and also depression; but the most visible and immediate effects are looking bad, feeling moody and performing poorly in school or other activities. Lack of sleep affects your ability to learn, concentrate and solve problems; it makes you more prone to acne, aggressive behavior, irritability, and anxiety. As if all of these are not enough, there’s also a high risk of becoming overweight because sleep deprivation usually leads to overeating.

So what can you do? Experts say you need 9 to 10 hours of sleep to perform at your best, but you just can’t seem to be able to get it! Luckily, there’s a trick that can help your brain and body: napping. And let me tell you why:

Napping means getting energy

Naps make you feel energized and ready to function properly. They improve your performances: you’ll be able to concentrate better and give your best to whatever you might be doing.

Naps restore vigilance

It’s usually in the early afternoon that you feel your vitality fading out: you get a bit sleepy and lose your focus. A quick nap will bring back your sharpness, and you’ll be amazed how much you can accomplish after only 20 – 30 minutes of good rest.

Naps improve your learning ability

Short naps (also known as “power naps”) are a common habit even at NASA. Several studies (including the one conducted by NASA) have shown that power naps improve the memory process of consolidation, which is a big help for anyone who wants to learn something new.

Napping prevents burnout

Burnout is a condition of our modern society always on the run, still trying to achieve more. It affects teenagers, in the same manner as it impacts adults. To prevent such a thing from happening to you, consider napping once, every day. It will save you from feeling frustrated and stressed.

Naps make you more productive

Maybe productivity is not the ultimate goal at this age, but it’s a means to an end. So you need to give your best to accomplish what you want, and napping can help you do this. Plus, taking a short nap in the afternoon will make you feel good, and that’s a perfect reason to make it a habit.

But here’s the trick: to be effective, the power nap shouldn’t be longer than 30 minutes. If you go over this particular time interval, you’ll wake up feeling groggy, and your performance will suffer. The experts say that the optimal nap should last precisely 26 minutes. The best time to take such a nap is during the afternoon: not too soon after you woke up, not to close to bedtime. And try to turn off electronic devices while taking a nap. Lie down on your comfortable mattress – if you don’t have one yet, visit Try Mattress’s website to find out which model suits you best – and enjoy half an hour of relaxation. Everything will seem different afterward.

The preceding was a sponsored post.