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Everything You Should Know About Kratom

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There are many herbs across the world that have gained much popularity in the last 10 years. One such herb is none other than kratom, which has managed to gather a massive fan base of over 100 million people across the globe. Discovered in the early 19th century, kratom was famous for its recreational purposes. With much evolution in scientific research and technology, a lot of people have started to use it as a medicine.

However, the only problem with this herb is, it has no support for any medical evidence that suggests its use as a medicine. Still, this herb has managed to penetrate the global herb market with a staggering net worth of over $400 million. However, experts claim that this figure is underrated because this plant is hugely famous in the black market.

So What is kratom?

In simple words, kratom is a popular tree that is native to South-east Asia. Some people believe it is over 10,000 years old and was one of the first few crops cultivated by mankind. Kratom has strong roots in China, Indonesia, Thailand, and many other Asian countries. Its leaves have a special compound known as mitragyna Speciosa, which is said to have similar properties of opioid painkillers. This is the main reason why natives consume this plant in raw form and infuse it in different food items.

Are There Any Benefits of This Plant?

In simple words, there are no proven health benefits of this plant at all. Whatever you go through online articles are nothing but claims made by people who use this plant frequently. People who are fanatic consumers of kratom claim, it helps in treating insomnia, can cure depression, is helpful for  putting down panic attacks, improves skin tone, increases motivation at work, provides relief from chronic body pains and can even treat chemotherapy side effects. None of these claims are backed by any scientific evidence, so everyone is waiting for what the future unfolds for them.

One proven health benefit of kratom is, it helps in losing weight. So if you are willing to lose some extra pounds, get good quality kratom seeds at this online store.

What Are The Side Effects of this Plant?

Unfortunately, kratom has several proven side effects, which are experienced by fanatic consumers after a few days of consuming this plant. Some of them are:

  • Hallucinations
  • Insomnia
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Constipation
  • Itching on The body
  • Sore Throat
  • Dehydration
  • Dry Cough
  • Chest Pains
  • Chronic Bowel Movements

These reasons are enough to compel anyone to stay away from this herb. Because kratom is cheap, many people use it as an alternative to traditional medicine. This herb is so popular in South Florida that if you visit any regular bar, they will offer you a cup of kratom tea for as low as $7. This is a strong proof of the fact that this plant has become mainstream now. Although most countries stand together by observing a complete ban on this compound, it is very popular in the black markets.

Michelle has been a part of the journey ever since Bigtime Daily started. As a strong learner and passionate writer, she contributes her editing skills for the news agency. She also jots down intellectual pieces from categories such as science and health.

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Health

The Scientist as Storyteller: How Steven Quay Makes Complex Medicine Relatable

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Scientific discovery often struggles to reach the people it is meant to serve. The distance between research and public understanding can be vast. For most scientists, publishing in peer-reviewed journals is the endpoint. For Dr. Steven Quay, it is only the beginning. His career has been defined not just by what he has discovered, but by how he communicates it. 

Scientific trust today faces growing skepticism and misinformation spreads faster than facts, Quay has embraced a rare role. He is both a scientist and a storyteller. His ability to bridge the technical and the human is what makes his voice resonate across disciplines, institutions, and communities.

Writing as a Lens into the Human Side of Science

One of the clearest examples of Quay’s narrative instinct lies in his writing. He has authored three major books, each rooted in a different part of his life and expertise. Together, they show how a medical researcher can also be an accessible public thinker.

In Stay Safe: A Physician’s Guide to Survive Coronavirus, published June 5, 2020, during the first days of the pandemic, Quay offered plainspoken, evidence-based guidance on protecting oneself and one’s family. It was not framed as a political statement or a policy directive. It was personal and grounded in the daily realities people faced. He wrote it not just as a scientist, but as someone who wanted to help others navigate a frightening time with clarity and calm.

His second book, The Origin of the Virus, tackled a more complex and controversial subject: the question of how SARS-CoV-2 emerged. Rather than speculate, Quay walked readers through the scientific evidence with the kind of transparency that is often lacking in public discourse. The tone was methodical, never alarmist. What set the book apart was its balance, engaging to a lay reader, yet rigorous enough to be taken seriously by professionals.

Then there is A Ride Through Northville, a deeply personal departure from the world of virology and oncology. Here, Quay revisits his childhood in Michigan, capturing the streets, friendships, and quiet moments that shaped him long before he entered a lab. The structure of the book mimics the experience of riding a bike through town, evoking memory not as a chronology, but as a sensory journey. For a scientist whose career has involved high-stakes research and global debates, this book offers a rare window into the reflective, grounded person behind the work.

Speaking Clearly Without Speaking Down

Quay’s communication skill is not limited to the written word. He has also become a frequent guest on health-focused podcasts and a speaker at public science forums. His TEDx talk on breast cancer prevention is one of the most viewed videos on the subject, and for good reason. He does not rely on drama or abstract theory. Instead, he explains mammographic density, hormonal risk, and clinical trial design in a way that makes the science both comprehensible and actionable.

In interviews, Quay has a habit of slowing things down. He avoids jargon unless he defines it. He is comfortable saying, “We don’t know yet,” which, in the realm of public science, is a kind of honesty that builds trust. He often discusses Atossa Therapeutics’ trials in plain terms, describing how experimental drugs like (Z)-endoxifen might help certain patients respond better to treatment. He emphasizes that these are ongoing studies, not marketing pitches, which sets him apart from many biotech executives.

Educating the Public Without Oversimplifying

One of the challenges of public-facing science is resisting the urge to oversimplify. Many well-intentioned scientists flatten complexity to fit the constraints of social media or mainstream news. Quay does not follow that path. He explains mechanisms and hypotheses with nuance, trusting that readers and listeners are capable of understanding more than they are often given credit for.

His social media presence reflects the same philosophy. He shares articles and research updates, but rarely with alarm or bravado. When he comments on current medical debates, he tends to lead with evidence rather than opinion. That steady tone has earned him a following that spans across ideological and professional divides.

During the pandemic, this approach stood out. While others chased headlines, Quay focused on distilling evolving guidance into practical advice. He acknowledged the limits of current knowledge, updated his views as new data emerged, and emphasized science as an iterative process. His voice became one that many people turned to not for certainty, but for clarity.

A Scientist’s Responsibility Beyond the Lab

Quay has often said that science does not exist in isolation. It is part of society. That belief informs why he writes, speaks, and engages in public discourse as actively as he does. He sees the scientist’s role not just as a producer of knowledge, but as a custodian of its meaning.

He has testified before the U.S. Congress and advised the State Department, not as a politician but as a physician-scientist committed to accuracy. In each case, his contribution has been grounded in data but shaped by a recognition of the human implications of policy and research.

This is especially evident in his work on breast cancer. By advocating for better screening tools and more personalized treatments, Quay speaks not only to clinicians and investors but to women facing real fears about their health. He explains the science behind mammographic density and hormonal modulation not just with charts, but with stories about what those risks mean in someone’s life.

Storytelling as a Form of Service

What makes Quay’s communication style compelling is that it never feels performative. He is not branding himself or building a media empire. He is doing what he believes scientists should do: make their work useful.

In every form of his storytelling, from the deeply personal to the technically specific, there is a throughline of responsibility. He understands that science touches people’s lives in ways that go far beyond the lab. For him, that means speaking clearly, writing honestly, and never underestimating the audience.

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