If I use meth regularly, what should I keep an eye on, health-wise? Are there any specific medical tests my doctor should run? Are there indicators in my blood work? Should I notice anything with my body that indicates the start of a problem?
Please refer to my other answers on related questions, but in short form:Hydration (Keep a water bottle with you, drink regularly, meth raises your core temperatures, hides normal body warning signals, lets you do a lot of self-damage through exertion without feeling the pain.Electrolytes (Gatorade rather than water if affordable, or a little salt and sugar with all the water you drink - replacing the water without the balance of salt and sugar can interfere with the body sending signals electrically, etc. Some salty trail mix, etc. works)EatFeet (Out walking, impaired gait, etc. Clean Socks, Baths, Properly fitting running shoes)Teeth (Brush, try to teach yourself to be aware of clenched teeth, chew sugar free gum, keep your jaw moving not just clenched hours on end)Avoid secondary drugs - especially alcohol, opiates, barbiturates, benzodiazapenes. It complicates matters drastically and can either kill you through OD or through creating complicated mixed psychiatric states. If you have a GP or psychiatrist, try Seroquel, Olanzapine, Resperidone, Valproic Acid, Lithium,No reason you cannot have a psychiatrist, doctor, counselor while still using, try to maintain a connection with at least one professional who is supportive and patient who knows everything and you trust. If something happens, or if you suddenly become ready to make big changes, getting the pieces in place can take too long.Once the meth stops working, ask yourself whether increasing doses or frequency of dosing is really doing anything, or just becoming a pointless, dangerous action. Consider keeping a little journal or seeing what the minimum dose you can get by on is, lowering a bit each day. Try to return to oral ingestion if possible.Have a bug-out plan for emergency and/or when you are finally ready to do anything to stop, or if you lose touch with reality: Pick a hospital or a counselor/clinic you feel like you might entrust your safety to, have an emergency contact written down, a little bit about yourself and how much meth/how long/route of administration/etc.Don’t give up on yourself and remember that while it is a long journey to come off meth and return to happiness and full functioning, it is one you can make when you are ready. Meth is powerful and complex and self-hatred and blame isn’t helpful or warranted. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s easy or painless.Good luck.
What are some of the best super foods and why?
In this age of instant gratification, we want shortcuts to everything. Become intelligent in 21 days by eating some random exotic thing. Drink some berry extract and lose weight. And of course, eat some ‘super food’ and become slim and fit over the weekend.We are bandying around terms like ‘health foods’, ‘super foods’, and anything that sells. Atrocious ideas are given respectability even by mainstream online news channels like NDTV. One week it is Gooseberry as ‘super food’. Another week it is pumpkin. Dunno what is coming next.On other platforms I have seen people talking about ‘mind smoothies’ and blueberry being this ‘super food’. What the hell is going on? Have we lost all sense of reality? Has our intellect and critical thinking been decimated totally?I can understand that in the past, people were superstitious and ignorant when scientific temper and education levels were low. But how is this new age fashionable fad any better?Some food items do have particular nutrients in large amount. By all means have them as part of your diet, but why should that be used to fuel this obsession with ‘super foods’, which invariably leads to stupid short cuts and nutritional supplements.The best ‘super food’ is balanced diet, with a lot of colours on your plate. The best weight loss program is regular and intense workout. There is no ‘short cut’ to anything except mediocrity.If we do not push back on this mindset we are doomed to have another generation armed with ‘smartphones’ but dumb thinking.