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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 Subtle Cues in Our Environment that Encourage Healthier Living

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The choices we make each day regarding our diet, activity and lifestyle habits ultimately determine our health and wellbeing. Nonetheless, the surroundings we inhabit also actively influence those decisions, whether we realize it or not. Our built environment contains many subtle cues that either promote or impede healthy behaviors. With thoughtful awareness, we can leverage and shape these cues to nudge ourselves toward more positive choices. 

Architectural Cues for Active Living

Urban design and infrastructure elements play a major role in our activity levels. Visible, accessible staircases encourage climbing over passive elevator use. Features like centrally located, attractive stairwells bathed in natural light make stairs hard to ignore. Artwork beautifies the ascent while music enlivens acoustics. Placing stairwells near prominent gathering areas also maximizes exposure and use. Conversely, hidden dreary stairwells discourage climbing. Building layouts should make stairways the default for short trips. Thoughtful design embeds activity into daily routines.

Outside, continuous sidewalks and protected bike lanes provide clear cues that active transit is safe and expected. Ample parking signals driving is preferable. Traffic calming measures like speed humps and narrowed lanes imprint mental cautions for vehicles to accommodate bikes and pedestrians. Sidewalk street furniture and plantings buffer walkers from traffic. Crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and refuge islands imprint rights of way. Complete Streets redesign allocates fair space for diverse safe use. Our infrastructure surroundings can literally pave the path for active living.

Office and Home Cues

Subtle factors within buildings also affect activity and diet. Kitchen placement, for instance, affects our choices. Research shows open concept kitchens integrated into living areas encourage more healthful cooking and family meals than closed off kitchens. Islands and open shelving provide visual snack cues that can either prompt cravings or showcase fruits, nuts, and other healthy grabs. Kitchens sited near entries or offices also maximize visibility and food prep use rather than distant basement kitchens. 

At offices, centrally located shared spaces like break rooms, cafes and snack nooks encourage communal meals, informal gatherings and refueling walks to retrieve snacks. Providing showers, bike racks and lockers signals active commuting is valued. Standing and treadmill desks prompt movement during sedentary work, while choice architecture guides selections from communal food areas. Simple environmental adjustments nudge better decisions.

Nutritional Cues at Markets and Restaurants

Eateries and markets harbor cues that stimulate cravings along with willpower depletion. Certain lighting, music, and décor stimulate overindulgence. Cues that unconsciously hurry patrons undermine reasoned decisions. Scented air surrounding baked goods stalls awakens salivation and desire. Strategic menu design also sways choices. Listing unhealthy items first or at eye level suppresses willpower. Descriptive names romanticize less healthy options. Menu formatting can also highlight nutritious dishes and portion guidance. Markets use product placement for maximizing impulse grabs. Though subtle, environmental exposures across stores and eateries significantly sway our eating choices.

Cues for Hydration and Rest

Proper hydration and sleep are imperative for our wellbeing but are easily overlooked when immersed in urban settings and schedules. Environmental design can combat these gaps through strategic cues. Plentiful public water fountains provide visual refreshment reminders throughout cities, while placing restrooms near fountains links the hydration notion. Cafes position chilled water dispensers up front for thirst-quenching without calories. Homes and offices forget hydration less with decorative pitchers and glasses on tables. Lighting design is key for sleep cues. Dimming lights in workplaces and warm home lighting provide visual preparation for rest. Cool-toned blue hues stimulate and signal awakening. Our surroundings can cue us to drink and sleep wisely.

Signage and Sensory Cues  

Explicit signs offer direct visual cues to healthier behaviors – such as a no smoking sign that prompts at entrances. Staircases could feature plaques tallying burned calories. Cafeterias may display encouragements to take smaller portions or try vegetable sides. Signs foster mindfulness and restraint at choice points. Sensory cues also guide behaviors. Smells eliciting happiness or calm can de-stress environments. Soothing natural sounds and music relax tense settings. Harsh lighting and noise stimulate frenetic energy and impulsiveness. Pleasant sensory experiences invite more mindful, deliberate choices. Uplifting cues infuse healthy messaging into spaces.

Art and Nature Cues for Wellbeing  

Artwork carrying uplifting themes or depicting healthy activities, fruits and vegetables, serene nature and joyful gatherings infuses visual positivity into surroundings. Murals and wall graphics remind us what truly matters for wellbeing. Images are digestible in passing, sinking into the subconscious. Vibrant, thriving plants and greenery provide natural visual relief and comfort that lower stress. Decor mimicking natural materials brings warmer textures. Spatial flow mimicking nature’s curves calms minds. Natural light and windows boost mentality and sleep cycle regulation. Thoughtful touches of art and nature foster mental balance, positivity, and healthy choices.

Conclusion

Our everyday surroundings contain many subtle influences on our diet, activity, sleep, and lifestyle, either promoting or hindering health. But heightened awareness of these cues allows us to consciously reshape environments for encouraging wiser choices. Simple changes to architecture, office layouts, signage, lighting, art, and nature contact encourage movement, nutrition, and wellbeing. Our minds absorb ambient cues, so design wisely. When supportive healthy cues surround us, positive habits become a little easier, more inviting, and purposeful. Think about cues you could shift for better living. Small nudges in public spaces and our homes can guide us all toward healthier, more thoughtful lives.

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