Monday, February 22, 2010

Power

Power is gained and maintained in many ways. Whether you are talking about a person with power or a thing that holds power, it is always gained in one way or another. A person can hold power over someone else in their life in many ways, including being their parent, a role model, a leader, or just a good friend that influences them in one way or another. Believe it or not, a thing or possession can also hold power in someone else's life. It could be a high priority for them, a hobby, an important, meaningful possession of theirs, etc. In fact, I will give you an example of something that holds power in my life.

Books and music hold power in my life for multiple reasons. First of all, I just love to read and listen to music as a hobby. They also hold power in my life because a lot of times there is a great amount of meaning behind it. But mostly I dive into a book and blare music when I need to escape reality for some reason. For instance, depending on my mood or how I am feeling at the moment, I listen to certain types of music. Some examples are of times when I am angry or upset. If I'm upset for some reason, say my boyfriend broke up with me or I lost a best friend, I might listen to some sad music that talks about breakups or losing friends and how you move on like Skillet or The All-American Rejects. When I'm angry for say, my parents punished me for a stupid reason or a friend betrayed me, I might listen to some Breaking Benjamin or Bullet For My Valentine since they are kind of metal/alternative and somewhat screamo. In addition to that, I also stick my nose into an intriguing book to get my mind off whatever is bothering me and escape reality by only focusing on the story at hand.

Although music and books hold a large amount of power in my life, there are times when they lose power for me. For example, if there is a situation that I'm not sure how to handle or one that makes me have jumbled emotions that I can't decipher what exactly I'm feeling at the time, music normally doesn't help since I don't know what type to listen to. Another example would be if I had such a huge weight on my shoulders or have a thought that is extremely bothering me, a book might not necessarily catch my interest and keep my mind off of the issue.

These things might happen to you too, which is perfectly okay. Everybody goes through times where people/things gain or lose power in your life, and though you might have better times and worse times in your life, you're not dealing with it alone. Whenever you have bad times or good times in your life, you can always go with something or someone that holds power and meaning in your life to cheer you up or keep your spirits up. When in doubt, go to what holds power in your life to help you through it.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Drugs and Alcohol

I'm sure we've all wondered what it would be like to try drugs or alcohol, especially in high school. Scenario: someone comes up to you and says, "Hey, we just got some weed, wanna get baked?" All of his friends are around him waiting for your answer. You feel extremely pressured and intimidated by them, and you feel that if you decline their offer, they will look down on you or tease you about it. So you figure, "Why not?" Okay, STOP. Right there. Rewind. Think about what you just agreed to. Think about what consequences you might face after you do it. "Will it hurt my body?" "Will it hurt me or benefit me in the long run?" "Will I get into trouble if I do drugs?" Those are some of the thoughts that probably either go through your head already or will probably go through your head after you do it. Now, the real question is, what is the right choice?

To be completely honest, drugs and alcohol are terrible for your body. Not only do they have toxic chemicals in them, they also have substances in them that frequently get people addicted to them. Now that I've said that, you probably have another handful of questions that are racing through your head. Let me go in chronological order.

1. Why do people try drugs?

That's actually a very good question. There are various reasons why people try drugs, but here are some main reasons. Here are ten reasons why people try drugs.

1) Thought: They heard that marijuana and mushrooms grow naturally, so they figure they must be safe.
Real Deal: So do poison ivy and anthrax. Would you smoke them?

2) Thought: They think that drugs sold in stores without a prescription are OK.
Real Deal: You can overdose on those too.

3) Thought: They think drugs will help with stress.
Real Deal: Drugs don't reduce stress or fix problems. In the long run, they create more.

4) Thought: They think that drugs will make them seem rebellious or cool.
Real Deal: There are better ways to get noticed.

5) Thought: They figure that it's prescribed by a doctor, so it must be OK.
Real Deal: Not if it's not taken as prescribed.

6) Thought: They're bored and they think drugs will help.
Real Deal: Is being bored worth the risk?

7) Thought: They heard that marijuana has been legalized in some states.
Real Deal: Marijuana is illegal throughout the United States.

8) Thought: There are rumors that marijuana has medical benefits.
Real Deal: Major medical organizations disagree.

9) Thought: They think that prescription drugs and steroids will improve their performance and looks.
Real Deal: Only if you think acne and 'man boobs' are attractive.

10) Thought: People think drugs will help them fit in.
Real Deal: Most people don't use drugs.

If you want to know more information about the real deal on people's thought processes, I got this information on this website.


2. What happens after someone tries drugs?

Another very good question with a very serious answer. Most people that try drugs do it for social reasons, but after your first time doing that drug, you will most likely become addicted to that drug. Each time that individual does that drug, it increases the chances that it will become an addiction. That leads to not being able to control your impulses, like wanting that drug. For instance, the brain is the command center of your body. It controls pretty much everything you do, including when you are sleeping. The brain is made up of many parts that all work together as a team. Each of these parts have a different, but specific job to complete. When drugs enter the brain, they can interrupt work and change how the brain performs its jobs. These changes are what lead to compulsive drug use. Now, drugs affect three primary areas of the brain:

-The brain stem
-The limbic stem
-The cerebral cortex

The brain stem is in charge of all the functions in our body needed to stay alive-breathing, circulating blood, and digesting food. It also links to the spinal cord, which controls muscle movements and also let's the brain know what's happening to the body/
The limbic stem links brain structures that control emotional responses, such as the feeling of pleasure when we eat something that we really like.
the cerebral cortex is the outer part of the brain that makes up about three fourths of the entire brain, at least for humans. It is divided into four lobes which control specific functions like processing information from our senses and the ability to think, make decisions, etc.

The brain is affected in many ways by the use of drugs. Drugs basically work in the brain by invading its commmunication system and interfering with the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. Although all drugs have that affect on the brain, there are many different outcomes on what exactly it will do to the brain. For instance, drugs like marijuana and heroin activate neurons (nerve cells that work nonstop to send and receive messages) because of the fact that their chemical structures mimic a natural neurotransmitter. Therefore, they can "fool" receptors and lock onto them, which activates the nerve cell. Since they don't work the same way as a natural neurotransmitter, as a result, the neurons end up sending abnormal messages through the brain. Other drugs including amphetamine cause nerve cells to release very large amounts of natural neurotransmitters or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals. This leads to an exaggerated message in the brain which ultimately creates a lot of problems on the communication channels. This effect is like the difference between someone whispering in your ear versus someone shouting in a microphone. Although different drugs trigger different reactions, all drugs affect the brain's "reward" circuit, which is part of the limbic system. When a normal "reward" circuit is working like it should, it responds to enjoyable experiences by releasing dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure, and tells the brain that this is something important (to pay attention and remember it). When you start doing drugs, they hijack this system and cause unusually large amounts of dopamine to flood the system. This can sometimes last for a long time compared to what happens when a natural reward stimulates dopamine. This flood of dopamine is what causes the euphoria or "high" that is associated with taking the drug.


3. What are the different drugs that people do/try?

Well, to be honest, there are all different types of drugs that people do but the main ones are listed below:

1. Heroin

Heroin is a drug that is VERY addictive and is produced from morphine, and comes from a flower called opium poppy. There are various appearances of heroin, but the main ones are sold as either a white powder, a black, solid substance, and brown powder. Individuals of all ages use it, but statistics show that about 3,090,000 people ages 12 and up have used it at least once in their lifetime. There are three ways to intake heroin: Injection, snorting, and smoking. Many new users will either snort or smoke it because injecting it causes emotional stigma. Now, don't think that the only way you can get addicted to heroin is injection, because you can become addicted by practicing any of the ways of doing the drug. There are also many risks to doing heroin. Some of those include overdose, severe addiction and withdrawal (symptoms of withdrawal include craving, restlessness, muscle and bone pain, and vomiting), infection and diseases, and viruses. A few popular street names of heroin are Dope, Smack, Horse, Junk, and Blacktar.




This is a video of some heroin addicts that have lost everything because of the habit.


2. Marijuana

Marijuana is the most common drug that teens go in for treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined. It can become very addictive too, just like any other drug you use incorrectly. It comes in a green, brown, or grey mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers from the hemp plant. It is a mind-altering drug, which changes how the brain functions. There are about 400 chemicals in marijuana, and some of which are carcinogenic (causes cancer). There are typically higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thinking among those who smoke marijuana compared to those who don't. People starting before the age of 15 are more likely to suffer from those factors in their early adulthood. Studies show that marijuana is associated with a 40% increase risk of psychosis. There are many risks to using marijuana, some of which include impaired judgement, anxiety and panic attacks, increased heart rate and risk of heart attacks, increased risk for schizophrenia, problems with memory and learning, and much more. Some common street names for marijuana are Weed, Pot, Dope, and Grass.



A shocking video that really opens your eyes to the danger of smoking marijuana.


3. Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant that is highly addictive. There are a couple different types/forms of cocaine: powdered and crystal. Powdered cocaine can be either snorted or injected, whereas crystal cocaine (known as crack) is heated and then smoked. Regularly snorting cocaine can lead to loss of sense of smell, nosebleeds, problems with swallowing, and a chronically runny nose. Using cocaine come with many risks, such as increased body temperature and heart rate, decreased appetite, abdominal pain and nausea, parinoia, and irritability. Some common street names for cocaine are coke, snow, blow, nose candy, perico, and yayo.




A very well created video about one gram of cocaine traveling all the way from Peru and ending up in the nose of an individual at a party in Sweden.


4. Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine (or meth) is a synthetic chemical that is highly addictive and acts as a stimulant. There are several ways of using it including snorting, injecting, smoking, or swallowing. There are many dangers to using meth, some including rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, hyperthermia (when the body overheats), confusion, anxiety, insomnia, violent behavior, hallucinations, and delusions. Statistics show that between 1998 and 2002, death from meth overdoses increased by 125 percent. Between 1998 and 2000, meth related emergency room visits doubled, and in the past few years, the use of this drug has greatly increased in people ages 12 to 17. Some popular street names for this drug are speed, crystal meth, ice, glass, crank, and trash.



A video that will definitely change the way you look at drugs.


5. Ecstasy

Ecstasy is a drug that is usually taken orally by tablet or capsule. It is a man-made drug that is similar to stimulants and hallucinogens. Ecstasy effects your mood, sleep, appetite, and pain because it releases an excessive amount of the neurotransmitter called serotonin, which causes the brain to become deprived of this neurotransmitter, which contributes to the negative behavioral problems. Some risks for using ecstasy are blurred vision, muscle tensions, increased body temperature, memory loss, involuntary teeth clenching, and dependence/withdrawal effects. A few common street names are the love drug, MDMA, XTC, hug drug, and disco biscuit.

6. Steroids

Steroids are man-made substances that that are closely linked to testosterone (a male hormone). The only time that steroids are safe is if prescribed from your doctor. If you abuse steroids (normally to gain muscle mass), it can lead to very serious effects in the aftermath of taking it, some of which are irreversible. Some physical effects in males is the shrinking of the testicles and breast development. Females experience many noticeable symptoms as well, including increased growth of facial hair, deepened voice, and menstrual changes. Other unisex symptoms include severe acne, liver cysts, oily hair and skin, baldness, hostility, violent behavior, and uncontrollable outbursts of frustration. Another risk is cardiovascular disease, like strokes and heart attacks. Some street names for steroids are roids, arnolds, gym candy, pumpers, weight trainers, stackers, juice, and gear.



A video all about steroids.



7. Tobacco/Cigarettes

Tobacco is the leading preventable cause....

NOT COMPLETED YET.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Top Ten Invasive Species

Today I'm going to talk about invasive species to hopefully recieve enrichment from my English teacher. There are a lot of invasive species, but I am only going to acknowledge the top ten invasive species. I am going to explain why they are invasive and the possible causes and effects of why it's happening.

1) Asian Carp:

Although Asian Carp were used to remove algae from catfish farmers' ponds in the 1970's, over the decades catfish ponds are overflowing because of floods. As a result, the carp were released into the Mississippi river basin. The problem with that is, since Asian Carp can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh 100 pounds, it is dangerous to the fisherman because they tend to leap out of the water. Barriers were constructed to keep them contained a few years ago, but they think the fish have found a way around it. Although they wanted to close Chicago's waterways, they refused. They filed a lawsuit against them, but the court ruled against it, so they will remain open for now.

2) Rabbits:

A recent report in the New York Times concluded that up until last October, rabbits have been living in burrowed holes at a museum and World Heritage site on a piece of land off the coast of southwestern South Africa. Chris Wilke was hired and was told to help keep the population under control, and so far, 5300 rabbits have been killed and they are planning to exterminate 8000 more. After this case has been solved, he might meet with the Foundation of Rabbit-Free Australia so that he might be able to help contain another immensely overpopulated area where the rabbits are threatening the ecosystem and have caused millions of dollars in damage.

3) Cane Toads

Although they were originally introduced to control pests, they have now become one. They were brought from Central America to Australia to attempt to control the beetle population in sugar plantations, but the toads ended up taking over instead. They have very few natural enemies that aren't in Central America, and since they have sacs that contain poison, when other animals try to eat them they release the poison and it kills the predator within minutes. They tend to steal food that diminish the resources for other native animals, and will even steal pet food that is left in bowls outside houses. They are up to 6 inches in length and weigh up to 3 pounds, and are serious threats to not only Australia where there are hundreds of millions of them, but also to Florida and Texas' ecosystems.

4) Kudzu

Kudzu is a vine that is often called, "the vine that ate the South," and was first seen in the U.S. when they fell in love with the beautifully fragranced flowers and bright green leaves. Initially used in Asia for decorative purposes, the U.S. government paid farmers to plant it to avoid soil erosion. They may seem harmless, but an astonishing fact is that it grows up to 1 foot each day in the hot summer months, and is capable of breaking powerlines, killing trees and collapsing buildings. It grows too successfully outside of its original habitat, and not only does this destructive plant not have any natural predators outside of Asia, it also is difficult to uproot. As a result, this plant covers several millions of acres of the Southeast.

5) Gray Squirrel

These Gray Squirrels may seem adorable, but in reality, it is one of the most detested animals of Britain. Native from America, the Gray Squirrel carries a deadly disease called squirrel pox, to which they are immune to but the red squirrels are not. Eating seven times more per 100 acres than the red squirrel, Gray Squirrels diminish any competitors that may manage to survive the deadly plague. The people of Britain can't imagine having the red squirrel vanish forever, having been dwindled out by the "relentless northern march of the grays." The aftermath of this crisis has resulted in the consumption of the Gray Squirrel to the point where butchers could hardly keep up with the demand.

6) Killer Bees

An uprising event resulted in the creation of a horror movie based off of it and a few other incidents along the way for a reason. A catastrophe occured in 1957 when a beekeeper inadvertantly released 26 Tanzanian bees in Brazil. After being released, the queen bees mated with European honeybees to create what is now called a Killer Bee. Being a very aggressive species, they have been known to invade European honey hives and assign a new leader by killing their queen bee. They first started populating in the U.S. in the year of 1990, and have over the years spread to many states, some of which include California, Florida, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. Although the movie Killer Bees creates a fear in most viewers that is a false accusation, there is a different issue that you should be cautious of. Killer Bees may not inject any more toxic substances than a honeybee like the movie suggests, the Killer Bee is capable of stinging multiple times, and have been known to sting victims over 1000 times. The issue is that not only are they harmful to humans, but to agriculture as well, because they don't produce an efficient amount of honey.

7) Starlings

Hoping to introduce every type of bird acknowledged by Shakespeare into North America, an individual named Eugene Schieffelin released 60 starlings in Central Park in New York. He hoped that they would develop in their new home in a different way than the skylarks and the thrushes had not, and he was successful at that. Now, instead of 60 starlings, they are now flying in mobs of up to 1 million. They are suspected to carry several infectious diseases in their droppings and they can eat up to 20 tons of potatoes in a single day. Countless attempts have been made to contain the population of this bird, but nothing siezed them; not even poisoned pellets, live wires, itching powder, Roman candles, cobalt 60 and amazingly a jetliner. They are becoming so dangerous that 62 people were killed in a disaster where a group of 10,000 starlings flew head on into a Lockheed Electra and damaging the engine to the point where the plane crashed.

8) Northern Snakehead

This carniverous fish originates from Asia but appeared in Maryland in 2002 when it disrupted wildlife in the local pond. The Northern Snakehead has teeth as sharp as a shark's, and has the unusual ability to walk on land. While most fish can travel only as far as the body of water will take them, the Northern Snakehead can live for up to four days out of water and walks on land by squirming around back and forth like a snake. Now, this snake has been seen everywhere from New York to California. Apparently, the whole cause of this was by a local resident releasing two of them after buying them from a fish market in a local New York neighborhood. Ironic, huh?

9) Zebra Mussels

Theis species is native to the Caspian Sea, and were suspected to have come to the Great Lakes by clinging to the hulls of the U.S.-bound European vessels. Although they are considered a decicacy, they have left a terrible ecological outcome. Since the incident with the vessel, they have spread to New England and feed on phytoplankton that maintains the filter feeders that support the health and diets of larger fish. Unfortunately, that causes other species to starve. It is an utter nightmare for power plants and water-consuming facilities that have invested over 500 million dollars per year battling the buildup of mussels that clog the pipelines.

10) Burmese Python

The release of counless Burmese Pythons into the wild once they are too big for their tanks has caused an even bigger issue. Usually, domesticated animals fail to survive in the wild, but the Burmese Pythons have successfully multiplied and thrived in the wild, especially in the Everglades. They are finding the pythons becoming a threat to the people in the Everglades and are feeding off of the endangered species. Despite the fact that 1300 pythons have already been removed from the Everglades, the still growing species may result to a ban of the impractical pets.

Thank you for reading. I will be posting again soon on a new topic. Thanks again (: