High-glycemic foods can lead to feelings of hunger and cause overeating

According to findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, high-glycemic foods such as sugary drinks, white bread, and other processed carbohydrates can produce spikes in blood sugar levels which lead to hunger cravings.  Below is an excerpt from the NY Times wellness blog on the findings:

In addition to raising blood sugar, foods that are sugary and highly caloric elicit pronounced responses in distinct areas of the brain involved in reward. Earlier imaging studies have shown, for example, that the main reward and pleasure center, the nucleus accumbens, lights up more intensely for a slice of chocolate cake than for blander foods like vegetables, and the activation tends to be greater in the brains of obese people than it is in those who are lean.

Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/27/how-carbs-can-trigger-food-cravings/

'Tough love' schools under scrutiny

Boarding schools like the ones described in an article in the New York Times are no joke.  Here's an excerpt...

"Behavior modification programs for troubled teenagers have thrived as state and federal laws allow private boarding schools far greater leeway in how they treat children than is permitted in public school systems, which generally prohibit physical punishment, the isolation of children and other severe discipline methods. In fact, there are no federal laws governing schools like those built on the World Wide model. A 2011 Congressional bill that would have banned physical abuse and the withholding of food at such schools died in committee after it was opposed by lawmakers reluctant to impose new federal standards on a matter often regulated by states. Instead, states oversee the facilities variously as camps, boarding schools or residential treatment facilities, and state regulators often hesitate to step in because the programs exist in an ill-defined area of the law. For example, private boarding schools are not regularly inspected and are not required to be licensed or accredited, according to the federal Department of Education."

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/24/us/students-recall-a-school-run-like-a-prison.html

UW-Madison researchers uncover oxytocin connection among girls with a history of abuse

Research done at the Waisman Center at UW-Madison has found a connection between oxytocin and girls with a previous history of abuse.  The researchers are not sure why oxytocin would be released into the body under a stressful situation, but that is what they are finding.

Link:  http://www.news.wisc.edu/21970

UW-Madison experts weigh in on GOP food policy issues

Experts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison believe that Republican plans to limit food assistance to needy people will have unwanted, and dire consequences.

Link: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/writers/jack_craver/uw-experts-gop-food-stamp-bickering-endangers-the-poor/article_b3cce55a-ed63-11e2-a668-0019bb2963f4.html

Rush Limbaugh explains how diet and exercise is a liberal consipracy

Warning: taking advice from this guy may result in unintended consequences.

Link: http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2013/7/13/rush-limbaugh-claims-exercise-is-a-left-wing-conspiracy#

Two Milwaukee families followed over 20 years: Frontline

Watch Two American Families on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

http://bloggingblue.com/2013/07/13/frontline-two-american-families-video/

Powerful music video about cough syrup (Sizzurp, Lean, Purple Drank, etc.)

Macklemore, a rapper from Seattle, is on the radio a lot these days for his new album The Heist.  But he has earlier albums as well, all of which tackle challenges including drug use.  This one, Otherside, is a good example, where the artist delves into the use of cough syrup - popularized by rappers such as Lil Wayne.  I really like what Macklemore is saying and think that there should be more of this type of honesty given in rap music.  Too much is about the highs, and too little about the lows.

Justice Department seeks reduced sentences for nonviolent drug crimes

Citing costs and prison overcrowding the U.S. Sentencing Commission is finally considering reducing or eliminating prison sentences for nonviolent drug offenders.

What has taken them so long?  

Link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/11/justice-department-wants-changes-to-mandatory-sentences/2509893/

The real reason behind public smoking bans (PBS NewsHour Interview)

Do public smoking bans accomplish what they aim to?  A researcher at Columbia University's School of Public Health says if so, the evidence is very weak.

Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/07/the-real-reasons-behind-public-smoking-bans.html

American Institute for Cancer Research supports plant-based diets

A major cancer research organization has come out in support of plant-based diets in endorsing the documentary Forks Over Knives and the book The China Study.  The organization claims that one-third of cancers could be prevented through better diets, increased exercise, and through weight loss.

Check out the AICR's website: http://www.aicr.org/about/advocacy/the-china-study.html

Save the planet, get a vasectomy!

I'm not saying that everyone should get one.  Maybe you want to have some kids, and that's a good thing.  Have some kids.  Then get a vasectomy, and encourage other men to do the same.  Why?  Because 1/2 of all pregnancies are unplanned, and the world is becoming overpopulated as a result.  Family planning and contraception shouldn't be left entirely to women... men need to step up and do their part as well.

Learn about the Vasectomy Project:  http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/pain-and-pleasure-the-vasectomy-files-14/

PBS NewsHour: Milwaukee Archdiocese shielded pedophile priests, hid assets

Astounding, and sad.

Watch New Documents Show Archdiocese Shielded Pedophile Priests on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Madisonians interested in sustainable transportation solutions can give input

The city of Madison, Wisconsin, is looking for input related to public transportation and sustainability.  I personally would like to see more high speed busses on major thoroughfares and fewer neighborhood routes in exchange for increased paratransit options and bicycling.

Link: http://madisoncommons.org/?q=content/the-bus-stops-here-riding-the-bus-is-part-of-a-sustainable-madison

Great article on addiction and other therapies using psychedelics

Psychedelic research in the U.S. is stunted by years of drug war policies including the criminalization of small amounts of these substances as well as the unwillingness of the FDA and DEA to allow research to take place.  Things are changing, however, and some studies are pointing toward more acceptance with the scientific and medical community.

This article (below) looks at the history of psychedelic therapy over time, particularly with regard to helping people address addictions and recovering from trauma.

I highly recommend giving this a read, even if you know absolutely nothing about the topic.

Link:  http://www.alternet.org/drugs/psychedelics-help-addiction-and-trauma