Synthetic marljuana > Why you might just want to go for the real thing instead Brittney MacDonald Life & Style Editor A Canadians, we're rather proud of the quality of marijuana our glorious land produces, especially in British Columbia. This, in conjunction with the relatively easy-going possession laws regarding pot, has ensured that the idea of synthetic marijuana has remained somewhat of a continued mystery to us. However, if you know people in the United States in areas where pot is still illegal and heavily prosecuted, then you might have heard of K2 and Spice. K2 and Spice have become the most widely-used names for synthetic cannabinoids, which is actually a family of designer drugs that have been deceptively named. Originally introduced in the early 20008, synthetic pot is a blend of chemicals that has been sprayed ona smokable, plant-based material, usually tobacco or some form of clove. They are often sold under the moniker of “herbal smoking blends” or as a form of incense. The chemicals used are intended to produce the same effects that marijuana’s naturally occurring psychoactive chemical, THC, produces. he Pg However, despite the “herbal” label, these blends are not organic or natural in any way, but because they contain “herbs”—in the form of the plant-based material that the chemicals have been sprayed on—advertising the blends as “herbal” is completely legal. Along the same lines of loop- hole based logic, manufacturers have produced many variants of synthetic marijuana that carefully skirt around troublesome laws by using chemicals that are not illegal for recreational drug use. The problem is that these lab-created mash-ups often have adverse effects, such as causing psychotic breaks in individuals several months after exposure. Because these chemicals can be mixed in any number of ways, as soon as the legality of one formula comes into question, another one is ready to take its place almost immediately. Due to this ability to replace chemicals, a crack-down on r (YY The last laugh EN -W-lOM(o(-t- Mich mB cela ee M lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca (YY My body, my rules YY Beastly beauties And more! G & vu £ = s 2 > vu on o £ X have no synthetic idea what marijuana chemicals is near are In your impossible. ; system, what effects Where it SS they might have, and if gets really scary mixing them with different is if you research the reason why synthetic cannabinoid use is so problematic from a healthcare standpoint. These drugs have a bad track record of sending users to the hospital due to accidental poisoning or chemical overdoses, even for first time users. Treatment then becomes an issue because the mixture in the synthetic marijuana is not required to be listed, so doctors and healthcare professionals medications could be dangerous. There is also further risk due to the fact that some studies have claimed that certain strains of the drug are addictive—as opposed to regular marijuana, which is not. Currently, synthetic marijuana is not illegal in Canada, but it isa Schedule II substance, meaning that it is controlled and can only be sold by a licensed pharmacist. This is most likely to change in the near future, and many suspect that a full ban is imminent. Health benefits of making out > Kiss your way to a better you Jessica Berget Staff Writer H7 you ever been in the middle of a steamy make-out session and thought to yourself “I wonder how my health is benefiting from this?” I know I have, and since winter is the season for cuddles and smooches, there is no better time to learn how kissing your loved ones (or people you just met, you do you!) can positively affect your health. Kissing people makes you happier. Lip-locking releases a collection of feel-good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.” These hormones make you feel happier and even better connected with your partners. Our lips are also covered with nerve endings and receptors sending signals to the brain that not only make us feel calmer but also improve our sense of well-being. It also reduces blood pressure. Kissing’s not only good for your emotional heart, it’s good for your physical heart, too! During a passionate make-out session your heart rate goes up, which makes blood vessels dilate, providing clearer pathways for blood to get to other vital organs. It also relieves pain, since oxytocin is a pain reducing hormone that is especially great for headaches and cramps. It prevents cavities. Who knew sucking face could be good for oral hygiene? When you kiss, saliva production is increased, which helps wash any plaque on your teeth that could cause cavities. That being said, cavity causing bacteria can also be spread through kissing, especially if your partner has bad oral hygiene, so beware of bad breath! It boosts your immune system. Swapping spit with someone allows foreign germs and bacteria into your body, so your body then creates antibodies to fight against this new bacteria, making your immune system stronger. However, this could backfire and these germs can actually make you sick, so kiss with caution. It burns calories. It’s not an hour ona treadmill, but a passionate make out session can burn about 8-16 calories per kiss. Kissing also tones your facial muscles around the mouth and shapes your jaw and neckline, so you can work out while you make out. Making out provides a number of benefits both to one’s physical and emotional health. I probably don’t have to tell you to go out and get necking, but it’s good for your health, so I’m going to do it anyway. Happy smooching!