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Category: Substance use

Explore our comprehensive collection of health articles in this category.

Is Mary Jane an Alcoholic Drink? Unpacking a Common Misconception

4 min read
According to the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, millions of people use cannabis, often referred to by the slang term 'Mary Jane'. The widespread use of this nickname often leads to questions about its nature, but is Mary Jane an alcoholic drink? The answer is no; it is a slang term for a cannabis product.

What is the difference between khat and betel nut?

5 min read
Chewing khat dates back thousands of years in East Africa, just as the chewing of betel nut has historical relevance in South and Southeast Asia. Despite both being traditional chewing habits, a key difference between khat and betel nut lies in their botanical origins, chemical makeup, and health consequences.

Does Weight Affect Alcohol Intoxication? The Science Behind Body Mass and BAC

4 min read
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol affects everyone differently based on a variety of factors, with body weight being a significant one. This difference occurs primarily because alcohol is distributed throughout the body's water content, and a person's total body water is directly related to their overall mass. Understanding how body weight affects alcohol intoxication is crucial for safe and responsible drinking.

Does Alcohol Contribute to Dehydration and How?

3 min read
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol can cause a mild dehydration that contributes to unpleasant hangover symptoms like thirst, headache, and fatigue. This occurs because alcohol is a diuretic, increasing urine production and the loss of fluids from the body.

Does caffeine prevent you from getting drunk? The myth vs. reality

4 min read
Studies consistently show that caffeine does not reduce the actual effects of alcohol on your body. The widespread belief that coffee can sober you up is a dangerous myth, as the stimulant effects of caffeine simply mask the depressant effects of alcohol. This creates a state of 'wide-awake drunkenness' that can lead to hazardous decision-making and increased risks.

What Does a Caffeine OD Feel Like?

4 min read
According to the FDA, most healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, but exceeding this can lead to an unpleasant and potentially dangerous experience. Knowing what a caffeine OD feels like is crucial for recognizing caffeine intoxication and seeking help if necessary.

What liquor is a downer?

7 min read
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol is the most widely consumed addictive substance in the world. A common misconception is that some types of liquor are 'uppers' while others are 'downers', but the scientific reality is that all liquor is a depressant.

Is 100mg of Caffeine Enough to Get Addicted?

4 min read
According to research from Johns Hopkins University, habitual consumption of as little as 100mg of caffeine per day can lead to physical dependence, triggering withdrawal symptoms if intake is stopped. But is 100mg of caffeine enough to get addicted in a clinical sense? This article explores how individual factors, genetics, and consumption patterns affect a person's risk of dependency, even at relatively low doses.

Does Vitamin C Get Rid of High? Separating Fact from Fiction

6 min read
According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin C is a vital nutrient for immune function and tissue repair, but its effect on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a frequent subject of misinformation. The long-standing myth that vitamin C gets rid of a high has led many to question the actual relationship between this common vitamin and the psychoactive effects of cannabis.