Yesterday, August 13th, the State of Florida officially classified an increasingly popular drug, known as 7-OH - or 7-Hydroxymitragynine - in the same category as heroin and banned its sale a month after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called for a nationwide crackdown.
Doctors warn that this drug can cause both euphoria and sedation. Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, shared that Florida is taking 7-OH off the shelves immediately because "this dangerous substance is being marketed to teens and young adults and has a high potential for abuse and death."
7-OH is found in the Kratom plant as a naturally-occurring substance. It is often marketed and sold as a pain reliever. The Kratom leaf, used in teas or ground-up, is not the focus of these investigations because it only contains trace amounts. What is being investigated is a synthetic, concentrated by-product that has developed in recent years and goes by several names including 7-OH, 7-Omega, 7-Hydroxy - these are dangerous products that people are becoming addicted to.
These small pills are a synthetic and concentrated form of Kratom, used by some to wean themselves off opioids. It is described as a psychoactive drug stronger than morphine. It interacts with opioid receptors in the body. Packages of 7-Hydroxy can generally be found across Central Florida on the shelves at smoke shops and gas stations, located next to vape pens. It may come in pill form, gummies, or contained in drinks.
The issue is that any type of concentrated, synthetic opioid product like this may have varying potency and additives - experts want people to know to avoid 7-OH, 7-Hydroxy, and any gummy, candy, or drink with 7-OH in it.
Anyone having A Cat in the Hat Kind of Day? Can you relate to a Tuesday that feels like a Monday?
Balancing our responsibilities can sometimes be a little daunting. At times like this, it's always best to keep a sense of humor as we manage the highs & lows of our daily lives. I think that's why people love Dr. Seuss and his characters so much. Using enchanted worlds and wonderful creatures, the great Dr. Seuss is able to teach readers admirable life lessons about the importance of taking responsibility. He and the beloved characters in his stories encourage us to see our own potential and use our capabilities to reach our goals while still having fun along the way!
August is National Wellness Month - a perfect time to focus on taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Taking time for self-discovery is a good way to access what is going right and what isn't, as well as think about which changes can be made to set yourself on a path to living a beautiful life.
Research suggests that self-care promotes positive healthy outcomes, such as fostering resilience, living longer, and becoming better equipped to manage stress. Even small acts of self-care added to our daily lives can play a big role in taking good care of our minds, bodies, and souls. It helps to reinforce the belief that our needs are valid and should be a priority.
To encourage the practice of regular self-care, InnerAct Alliance is happy to share this inspiration graphic from our friends @ Positively Present reminding us of some simple ways to incorporate proactive self-care in our lives each day. During August, we encourage you to...accept the unknown, protect your peace, capture calm moments, and stand tall in your truth.
