I Didn't Say That #11
Today
Ari Shaffir. Jew.
Weed in Thailand
Study: medical cannabis reduces opioid usage
A conversation about psychedelics
Breathwork tutorials
Destiny
1.
Ari Shaffir has a new standup special up on YouTube. I watched it last night and loved it so much that I sent him some money for it earlier today. The special’s called Jew. So as I was paying for it, via PayPal, I clicked in the little box that read “What’s this payment for?” and typed “Jew.” Then I continued with a few words of appreciation and thanks. Then PayPal sent me a confirmation email, which began: “YOUR NOTE TO Ari Shaffir” and continued “Jew.” This made me laugh. I don’t know what it says in his inbox. But I hope it reads wrong there, too.
The special is funny, informative, thought-provoking, entertaining, visually arresting, and really just a great and singular piece of art. Give it a watch. And if you like it, maybe send Ari some money for it. Links to do so are in the video’s description.
Jew
Ari Shaffir
2.
I thought this was a super cool and reasonably balanced look at the current cannabis situation in Thailand. I’ve not been to Bangkok since weed was decriminalized. But the footage from there looks similar to what I saw in Chiang Mai last weekend. There’s even a dispensary open in my sleepy town now.
Is Thailand the new weed capital of the world?
Foreign Correspondent, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
3.
New study shows medical cannabis reduces opioid usage
Most patients (91%) found medical cannabis to be either very helpful or extremely helpful in treating their medical condition and nearly as many (89%) said that medical cannabis was very important or extremely important to their quality of life. Pain levels improved in 86% of participants, and 84% said that their medical conditions were not interfering with their normal social activities as much as before initiating medical cannabis use. More than half said that physical activities such as running and housework were less difficult with medical cannabis. More than two-thirds experienced at least one side effect, with dry mouth, drowsiness and increased appetite being among the most commonly reported.
More than half (61%) of the participants were taking opioids before beginning medical marijuana. Of them, 71% had been taking opioid medications for at least two years. Further analysis of the survey data revealed that among the participants who had been taking opioids, 79% were able to reduce their use or eliminate the drugs altogether. The number of participants taking hydrocodone with acetaminophen (paracetamol) and oxycodone with acetaminophen, the two most commonly used opioids in the study, was reduced by five times.
Cannabis Now
4.
A friend sent this to me recently, and I thought it was a really interesting conversation about psychedelics. Thanks, Chuck.
Psychedelics: chemicals, consciousness, and creativity
World Science Festival
5.
Tomorrow, I’m planning to start the Wim Hof Method (WHM) Fundamentals course. I’ve been doing the WHM breathing exercises for a couple years now, and I recently installed an ice bath behind my house, where I’ve been getting acquainted with the benefits of the cold. I want to go much deeper with both practices, though. I also want to become a certified WHM instructor, and the first step in that process is completing the Fundamentals course.
The breathwork I’ve done over the past few years has been life-changing. There’s a WHM testimonial video I’ve watched a few times where the subject, Mike Posner, describes his experience with the breathing exercises as feeling like he was entering a cheat code into his body, referring to the cheat codes in video games that grant users a special power. I know exactly what he means. This is the feeling I have nearly every time I do breathwork.
With that said, I will leave you with a few non-WHM breathing tutorials that were recently posted to the Breathe & Flow yoga channel I frequent. Next time your mind comes for you, see how these work.
6.
Destiny
The breath of love that never fades
Not lonesome am I, my dear
Though the many years that pass by
My heart is still full of love
Those days ... alone ... you and me ...
Every night from now
The stars shine in our favor forever
Heaven was created for us to meet
Heaven is destroyed for us if we part
But freedom is in my body
While destiny fills my heart
The heaven inside my heart
Through summer and spring with you
The memory of winter
I miss you ... you who were here ...
The breath of love that never fades
Not lonesome am I, my dear
Though the many years that pass by
My heart is still full of love
Apinya Unphanlam, "Destiny”
Mrs Chuck is my destiny. Memories of her beautiful happy face when we courted and fell in love still flood my brain.