Daily Marijuana Use May Worsen Pain Over Time

 

As the marijuana industry expands its reach, more individuals may contemplate the use of marijuana as a medicine. Data shows that as many as 35% of primary care patients report medical use of marijuana, most commonly for treatment of pain. This idea has historically been a controversial one due to the lack of extensive evidence and mixed opinions from medical care professionals.

A 2023 study performed by the Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavior Sciences at SUNY Upstate Medical University provided some insight into whether marijuana helps chronic pain by using a cold pressor test (CPT) to measure pain tolerance. CPT tests are performed by submerging a participant’s forearm in a tub of ice water for as long as the patient can tolerate it before needing to withdraw, or three minutes. Results published in The American Journal on Addictions, revealed that study participants who used marijuana daily had significantly decreased pain tolerance when compared to study participants who didn’t use marijuana (Zhang-James, Wyon, Grapsas, & Johnson, 2023).

Such results suggest that use of daily marijuana may actually worsen chronic pain over time by reducing pain tolerance. Additionally, daily marijuana users may also risk addiction. This is why it is important for primary care providers and patients to research all options and consider overall risks before recommending or using medical marijuana for pain management.

 

Play Kind Games Instead of Mind Games

 

Love this sweet graphic from our friends at @Positively Present to remind us that there are many simple ways to spread kindness - both to ourselves and to others.

We give ourselves a gift when we show kindness to people in our lives, especially as we don't always know what they are going through. So this week, let's choose to play kind games instead of mind games with one another! 😊💛

Combine Family Fun with Back to School!

 

Happy New School Year 2023-2024! While summer temps are still hot and steamy, school bells will be ringing this week welcoming students back to the classroom. Returning to the school routine after a long summer break can be challenging but we hope everyone embraces this as a time of growth and opportunity for new teachers, new friends, and new learning experiences.  

Our prevention partners at Informed Families (https://www.informedfamilies.org/) suggest that families ease into the transition by combining Back to School Days with Family Fun Days to make this an engaging and enjoyable time for their students. It’s a good reminder that although school routines are essential, spending time as a family doing fun things together year-round helps provide a healthy balance and strong support system for our children as they learn, build relationships, and create lasting memories.

Here are some great ideas to combine Family Fun Month into Back-to-School Month:

Family Learning Activities – make the learning process more engaging with activities such as reading together, educational board games, and DIY experiments at home. This teaches children to associate learning with fun and may help reduce any academic anxieties they may have.

Back-to-School Shopping – Let your kids choose their backpacks, lunch boxes, and school supplies. This will help add some excitement to the chore of shopping and give kids a sense responsibility and ownership.

Family Meal Planning – Involve your children in meal planning and preparing school lunches. This can be a great time to talk about nutrition, healthy food choices, and even mix in some math skills measuring ingredients.

Plan Family Fun Days – Before school starts, plan a family picnic, trip to the museum or zoo, or a day at the park. The idea is to spend quality time together and create memories before the school hustle begins. Continue this tradition on weekends and school holidays.

Establish a Family Routine – Routines provide a sense of security and help children adjust to change. Be sure to include time for homework, family meals, and play that includes fun activities to provide balance and stability.

All of these ideas along with some of your own can help support a healthy environment for our children to thrive. By adding a sprinkle of fun into the educational process, we also encourage kids to enjoy learning and feel a sense of belonging that will help them sail smoothly through the school year and, hopefully, through life!

“Tobacco Free” Nicotine Product Fallacy

 

Recently, the industry has begun promoting tobacco products that are being sold with "tobacco-free" claims. The claims are used to describe either that the products is made with nicotine created in a lab (synthetic nicotine) or that the product contains no tobacco leaf. 

A recent article on TruthInitiative.org shares the truth about so-called tobacco-free products - ALL CONTAIN NICOTINE

The Reality: Nicotine is Dangerous to Adolescents – Regardless of its source, nicotine is harmful to developing brains. Its use during adolescence can disrupt the formation of vital brain circuits that control attention, learning, and susceptibility to addiction. Research also shows nicotine use may create worse anxiety symptom and increased feelings of depression.

“Tobacco-Free” Claims Cause Confusion – Young adults may incorrectly interpret the claim “tobacco-free” and believe it means nicotine is not present in these products. Nicotine products marketed as “tobacco-free” could also create confusion about whether use violates tobacco-free policies in schools, workplaces, and other locations. All products containing nicotine should be considered tobacco products and be treated as such in schools and workplaces.

“Tobacco-Free” Claims May Increase Appeal – Studies have found when teens view advertising that claims to promote “tobacco-free” products, these ads tend to reduce perception of harm and may actually increase intention to use the product, compared to product ads without the claim. A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2022 reported that flavored non-tobacco oral nicotine products, such as gum, lozenges, and gummies, were the second most prevalent nicotine products used among adolescents after e-cigarettes.

“Tobacco-Free” Nicotine Fallacy – If claims about “tobacco-free” nicotine products sound too good to be true, they probably are. Nicotine in any form is an addictive chemical. Stay safe and stay away!

Suggestions for a Positive Mindset!

 

For most of us, today's the last day of summer vacation before back to school begins this week. On the bright side, living in Florida we are blessed to have sunshine and warm weather year-round that helps to extend the summer vibes a bit longer!🌞

Thanks to our friends @PositivelyPresent for a colorful graphic depicting suggestions for a positive mindset to look on a bright side whenever possible and stay focused on what is within our control - simple and calm.

Enjoy your Sunday and embrace the week ahead👍

More Fun Back to School Events Friday & Saturday in Lakeland and Polk

 

School bells will ring next Friday, August 11 to usher in a new academic year, so make the most of some great opportunities around town this weekend to enjoy family fun and shop for items on your school list at the same time!

On Friday evening, August 4, head downtown to Lakeland First Friday, a family-friendly event celebrating Back to School with music, shopping, and dining from 6pm-9pm. Browse the Makers Market on N. Kentucky Ave. and stroll by the Classy Car Show on Tennessee Ave. Say 👋Hi to Michelle and Stacey from our InnerAct Alliance staff while you’re enjoying the event!

More fun is on tap at the Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 5, from 10am-2pm, at the Lake Eva Center, 799 Johns Avenue, in Haines City. School supplies, face painting, and other family-friendly activities are planned by event organizers Unity in the Community of NE Polk County and the City of Haines City plus other community partners. Be sure to stop by the InnerAct Alliance table to say 👋Hi to our prevention educators, Charlie and Stacey, while you’re there! 

August Positivity and Self-Care Suggestions

 

August brings a new month with potential to focus on positivity and prioritize self-care!🌞 

Self-care means taking care of YOURSELF so you can be healthy and well to do your job and help care for others. It helps when you take the time to recharge your own batteries so that you can do all of the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day. 📆

To begin a routine of regularly practicing self-care, it is recommended that you start small and choose one practice each week to add to your daily routine. 

Our friends at @Positively Present offer some fun and easy self-care suggestions for the new month of August in the colorful graphic above. One of my favorites is "Notice What's Working" which encourages us to keep track of the positive changes that are being made, then adding more only when you feel ready to do so!