Sexual Healing

"When I get that feeling,
 I need Sexual Healing"

Well, Sexual Therapy to be exact.  This relatively unregulated field has been tackling some of man's -- and woman's-- biggest problems for decades.  But the question is: Why isn't more work being put into something we all care so much about?

We all know about Viagra, but most problems are a little bit more "complex" than erectile dysfunction.  Fetishes, relationship problems, premature ejaculation, promiscuity, anxiety, insecurity: the list is endless.  Who do you turn to when you and your partner don't share the same fantasies, when you can't please your mate, or if you're simply "confused"?  The answer: a Sex Therapist.

"So Dr. Phil, where can I find a Sex Therapist?"  Well this, my friends, is the interesting part of the equation:  Although many people make their living as professional sex therapists, there are literally no requirements to be a sex therapist!  I won't go as far as to say I am a sex therapist, but there would be no consequences for doing so.

Ancient peoples had no problem discussing sex

"But Phil, how can I trust an unlicensed 'Sexual Expert' with such a delicate subject?"  I asked myself the same question.  Upon learning this information, I immediately researched sexual malpractice.  Luckily, there were no accounts of phony sex therapists violating their patient's trust.  Instead, I was delighted to learn that most "professional" sex therapists have training in family therapy and psychology.

I cannot express how surprised I was to learn how little information and regulation there is on sex therapy.  Sex is the reason we're all here -- literally -- so there is no reason I should be able to practice sex therapy without a license, if I am unable to practice normal therapy without a license.  If anything, a sex therapist should have more training than a psychiatrist; it's all backwards.

Float Tanks

"Its like floating in oil, that's what blew my mind. You are in water for an hour, you think you are going to be dried out like a prune but its 180 degrees the opposite. It literally feels like you are floating in oil and even afterwards the way my skin feels now, that really surprised me," says first-time user David Farnsworth.
        -Youtube




 Can you put bubbles in it?  After seeing a news report on Float Tanks last night, that was my only question.  To me, these Float Tanks seem to be nothing but glorified bathtubs.  Don't get me wrong, I'll be the first one in line when Float Tanks come to Rhode Island, but not for the medicinal benefits.  On many Float Tank websites, they make some very bold claims about the benefits of their product, so I feel it is my duty to reveal the truth.

As I began my research on Float Tanks, I found it very difficult to find any information outside Float Tank centers' websites.  Refusing to cite such a bais source, I forgot everything I have ever been taught and turned to Wikipedia.  There I learned both American and Swedish scientists have researched this subject extensively, but I could not find their actual data.  Both concluded Isolation Tanks, or Float Tanks, make a tremendous impact on stress levels and acute pain, but so do bubble baths.  Perhaps I am a bit skeptic, but I remain unconvinced.

[Update]

I refuse to publish an uninformative post, so I have kept this in the queue until now.  I spent a few nights surfing the web for information that would expose Float Centers as frauds, but I had very little success.  Sometime between Googling "Float tanks bullshit" and eating my midnight snack, I realized what I was doing.  When I first saw the news report, I had picked my side.  I -- a self-proclaimed open book-- had closed the doors on Float Tanks.  Only now, after realizing my wrongdoing, I can speak without bias on this subject.

Bert doesn't seem to appreciate Float Tanks either

Having no evidence to dispute the claims of the Float Tank Centers, I cannot preach against these clinics.  Like I said before, they look quite relaxing.  It has been proven salt water is great for the skin, so there's two points for Float Tanks.  And after hearing additional testimonials from Float Tank enthusiasts, I am willing to give Float Tanks a chance.  So you've heard it from the doctor: give Float Tanks a chance; I know I am going to.

Crystal Healing

Pseudoscience: Theory mistaken as scientific: a theory or method doubtfully or mistakenly held to be scientific


There are hundreds of examples of pseudoscience in the world today; some are more believable than others.  Many of the practices I have discussed in this blog, like Acupuncture and Chiropractic, can  be classified as Pseudoscience... but they are nothing compared to Crystal Healing.



Throughout history civilizations have heralded gems and crystals for their spiritual powers.  The ancient Egyptians believed Jade would help guide them through the afterlife, the Greeks thought a man wearing Amethyst could not get drunk, and apparently, 21st century Americans use crystals to relieve pain and stress. 

"Don't forget your Amethyst!"

First of all, there is literally no evidence supporting the benefits of Crystal Healing; any and every effect of a crystal therapy session can be explain by the Placebo Effect.  But despite these two undisputed facts, hundreds of Americans, like the woman above, continue to waste their time and money on Crystal Healing.  Clearly someone -- either the crystal healer or the crystal dealer -- is lining their pockets with the dollars of the gullible.

It is frightening to see so many advertisements disguised as research out there on the Internet.  Every day naive shoppers are tricked into buying hundreds of dollars worth of Topaz and Opal, and although unbelievable, it is happening.  Information disproving theories like Crystal Healing needs to be more accessible.  In fact, I found it very difficult finding a peer-reviewed source backing what I thought to be common knowledge.

In conclusion, I feel pseudoscience is a tricky subject.  It is important to distinguish science from theory, but it is unclear where we draw the line.  Perhaps some practices -- like Crystal Healing -- should be reclassified as Hoaxes, so disputed practices, like Acupuncture and Chiropractic, are not tarnished by the pseudoscience label.

Ayahuasca

 

I am yet to write about a topic as mysterious as this Amazonian brew; researchers are only beginning to explore the potential wonders hidden within this spiritual potion. Originally brewed by the Shamans of South America's rainforests, Ayahuasca is the headstone of Amazonian spirituality. This ancient concoction harnesses the power of a potent drug, known in the scientific community as Dimethyltryptamine -- the acting psychedelic chemical in Ayahuasca -- which is better known as DMT.

The history of Ayahuasca is shrouded in mystery. Due to the lack of recorded history amongst indigenous South Americans, we cannot pinpoint when and how these tribesmen discovered the power of this random combination of plants. First encountered by Spanish and Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century, South American tribes have used Ayahuasca ceremonially for the entirety of their recorded history. Now in the 21st century, Ayahuasca use has been exported into the first-world. In the late 1990's multiple churches -- specifically the Church of Santo Daime -- emerged in both France and Holland; Ayahuasca plays a quintessential role in their belief systems. Even in the United States, a church in Oregon has been fighting to continue their sacramental use of Ayahuasca. But the purpose of this blog is not to discuss the spiritual or legal significance of this ancient potion: I am here to explain the medical significance.

Obviously, there is a fine line between recreational, spiritual, and medical use of drugs like Ayahuasca, so it is important to distinguish what I am talking about. The majority of research done concerning Ayahuasca has used DMT, the acting ingredient in Ayahuasca, during their studies. Less than twenty years ago, Dr. Rick Strassman became the first researcher given a government grant to conduct psychedelic research. His study is detailed in the book/documentary DMT: The Spirit Molecule (which I recommend viewing if this topic interests you). To summarize, without going into too much detail: Strassman initially set out to measure the drug's effect on basic body functions -- heart rate, blood pressure, ectcetera -- but as his research progressed, he discovered a much more profound side-effect. The mind-bending psychedelic experience DMT creates has proven to leave a lasting impression on its users.

So, one must ask: "What medical benefits could tripping-out possibly have?" Well, the medical impact is far more existential than the effects of things like medical marijuana or acupuncture. Ayahuasca has proven to strengthen people mentally; whether they are coping with impending death or post-traumatic stress disorder, Ayahuasca therapy has changed their life. Strassman was unable to pinpoint exactly what causes this profound impact on the human psyche, but the results cannot be disputed. Dozens of Ayahuasca Retreats have been created to help guide people through this life-changing experience. These retreats are a one-of-a-kind form of psychiatric medical treatment. Truly, I cannot explain what patients of Ayahuasca therapy go through, so I will leave you with a quote from the lips of a true psychedelic enthusiast.


"In the Amazon and other places where visionary plants are understood and used, you are conveyed into worlds that are appallingly different from ordinary reality. Their vividness cannot be stressed enough. They are more real than real, and that’s something that you sense intuitively. They establish an ontological priority. They are more real than real, and once you get that under your belt and let it rattle around in your mind, then the compass of your life begins to spin and you realize that you are not looking in on the Other; the Other is looking in on you. This is a tremendous challenge to the intellectual structures that have carried us so far during the last thousand years. We can do tricks with atoms, there’s no question about that, but these tricks immolate us. The higher-order structure of molecules, let alone organelles and that kind of thing, is intellectual incognita to us. We have no notion of how these things work or what is going on. Yet it is from those levels that the constituent modalities of reality are being laid down."
— Terence McKenna

Ibogaine

"You don't take Ibogaine and party: You take Ibogaine and throw up on yourself."

                 -Anonymous Ibogaine Therapist






This Ibogaine situation is oh too similar to the Pscilocybin mushroom situation.  The reporter said it perfectly: The stigma associated with these hallucinogenic substances is stopping legislators from making progressive changes.  Just because a few degenerates are willing to poison themselves for a cheap high, mushrooms and ibogaine are not being used in American medicine.  These preconceived notions of negativity surrounding drugs are preventing us from researching their remarkable healing abilities.

Tabernanthe Iboga

Much like Psylobin mushrooms, Ibogaine can be found throughout nature.  The acting psychedelic chemical is prevalent in many African plants -- mainly the Iboga -- and indigenous Africans have been using these plants for centuries.  In 2000, the Tabernanthe Iboga was declared a national treasure by the nation of Gabon, so it seems not everyone shares America's view on the plant.

Of course, Ibogaine's legal status is not stopping people from experimenting.  Just like marijuana and mushrooms, Americans are using Ibogaine medicinally behind closed doors.  Although the market may not be as large as the others, there are dozens of Ibogaine therapists practicing in the US today.  One instance of Ibogaine treatment in the media is in the award winning documentary Facing The Habit.  This documentary follows "Dave", a former Wall Street millionaire, as he battles his heroin addiction with Ibogaine therapy.  Dave's story is not glamorous; he fails to recover after his first therapy session due to lack of dedication, but eventually, focused therapy cures his addiction.

Ibogaine, not as 'natural' as it sounds

So why is Ibogaine still illegal?  One key argument -- that I fully support -- is the lack of testing and research concerning the drug.  The long term effects are simply unknown.  If these potentially life threatening long-term effects are discovered after Ibogaine treatment is legalized, there will be dire consequences.  There is still much to be learned, but this simply amplifies the importance of research.  Hopefully we can uncover the mystery surrounding Ibogaine, before more Americans travel to Mexico for a potentially fatal treatment.

Rebounding

What are these people doing?  Rebounding -- but that's just the short answer; I'll let Albert Carter, head of the American Institute of Reboundology, explain the long answer...

"With Rebound Exercise, you also oppose gravity, but you also utilize two other natural dynamic forces found within our environment. Two forces which, for the most part, have been overlooked by other exercise methods. These forces are acceleration and deceleration. When your body stops its downward movement at the bottom of the bounce, the force of deceleration and gravity come into play. When the body begins its upward motion, acceleration is added to the other two forces. The physical human body doesn’t recognize these three different forces but simply accept the combination of the three forces as an increase of the gravitational pull of the earth. Logically, we know that increasing gravity is impossible, but the cells of the body don’t. Because all of the cells of the body have the capability to adjust to their environment, all of the cells of your body begin to adjust by becoming individually and collectively stronger.

  Old fashioned exercise programs teach how you can strengthen the muscles of the body. Rebounding is an advanced exercise in that it is a cellular exercise. All cells of the body will become stronger. This includes all muscles, bones, skin, all connective tissues, all vital organs, muscles of digestion and elimination. Even the cells of the eyes are strengthened by rebounding.”

You must be thinking: "That's quite the statement, Al."  Even I, an open book to exercise oddities, question his final statement: "Even the cells of the eyes are strengthened by rebounding."  Sure, all that jumping around is great exercise, but for your eyes?  This is one alternative exercise that needs some scientific evidence to supports the claims of the creator.

After reading many studies about the benefits Rebounding Exercise, I can safely say Rebounding is one of the most beneficial exercise options being practiced today.  Some supporters go as far to say: it is the only exercise you will ever need, but these enthusiastic bloggers are about as reliable as Al Carter.  But after further reading, the benefits of rebounding are hard to dismiss.  Obviously all the lateral movement is terrific for your muscles and cardiovascular system, so it is the other benefits that truly intrigued me. 

The most well-documented evidence supporting Rebounding's internal benefits concerns the lymphatic system.  For those of you who are unaware of your body's mechanics: the lymph system is much like the cardiovascular system, but it serves as your body's metabolic disposal -- which is directly related to the immune system.  While your cardiovascular system has a heart to pump blood, the lymphatic system relies purely on your movement to circulate its fluid.  Therefore, the constant bouncing motion during Rebounding helps to stimulate the lymph fluid's circulation, thus cleansing and strengthening your body.

I first heard about this practice from my sister Emily.  Her great condition supports the claims of Rebounding enthusiasts like Al, because Rebounding is her sole source of physical activity.  Living in a one-room apartment in Washington, D.C., she has little room for an elliptical or treadmill, but her mini-trampoline fits in perfectly.

The Power of Yoga

Ah, Yoga -- Squatting Dog, Standing Tree -- there is nothing like it.  Although I must admit, calling my personal experience with Yoga "Limited" would be a stretch; there are many people in my own life who swear by Yoga's healing powers.  And now, science confirms what the Indians have been saying for years (approximately four-thousand years). 

As researchers continue to probe this ancient form of meditation, hundreds of studies are being released -- all praising the positive effects of Yoga.  From the obvious, like stress relief, to the obscure, Yoga can have tremendous effects on the body.  With these effects now well documented, many professional athletes are inviting Yoga into their lives; even our University of Rhode Island Rams football team includes Yoga in their rigorous conditioning regiment.  I can safely say, no activity benefits both body and mind like Yoga, and with literally hundreds of forms to choose from, it is a healthy activity for everybody. 

Unfortunately, not every girl in Yoga Pants is coming from their weekly session, but those who are will swear by its life-changing powers.  Personally, it is these genuine testaments that prove the power of Yoga -- not the ground breaking research.  During her own battle with cancer, my mother dedicated herself to a life of Yoga.  Alongside traditional therapy, she used daily meditations, and the occasional retreat to Kripalu, to overcome her life threatening disease.  Although modern medicine is the true savior, perhaps her "Oms" had an equal part in her amazing recovery.  Now cancer-free, my mother claims she owes her life to this ancient exercise.

Baltimore Raven's Running Back Ricky Williams