This article was up on Yahoo and came from HealthDay News …
Marijuana Use Can Up Psychosis Risk
SATURDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) — Long-term use of marijuana can lead to increased risk of developing hallucinations, delusions and psychosis, a new study shows.
Australian researchers asked nearly 3,100 young adults averaging about 20 years of age about marijuana use. They found that almost 18 percent reported using the drug for three or fewer years, about 16 percent for four to five years, and just over 14 percent for six or more years.
Among the participants, 65 had been diagnosed with a “non-affective psychosis” such as schizophrenia, and 233 had at least one positive item for hallucination on a diagnostic interview conducted for the study.
The researchers found there was an association between length of marijuana use and mental health.
“Compared with those who had never used cannabis, young adults who had six or more years since first use of cannabis [i.e., who commenced use when around 15 years or younger] were twice as likely to develop a non-affective psychosis and were four times as likely to have high scores on the Peters et al Delusions Inventory [a measure of delusion],” wrote Dr. John McGrath, of the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Park Centre for Mental Health in Wacol, and colleagues. “There was a ‘dose-response’ relationship between the variables of interest: the longer the duration since the first cannabis use, the higher the risk of psychosis-related outcomes.”
The study appears online March 1 and in the May print issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
But the association between psychosis and marijuana use is not simple, the researchers noted. They found that people who’d experienced hallucinations earlier in life were also more likely to have used marijuana longer and to use it more frequently.
“This demonstrates the complexity of the relationship: those individuals who were vulnerable to psychosis [i.e., those who had isolated psychotic symptoms] were more likely to commence cannabis use, which could then subsequently contribute to an increased risk of conversion to a non-affective psychotic disorder,” wrote the study authors.
Further research is needed to learn more about the mechanisms underlying the association between psychosis and marijuana use, they concluded.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more about marijuana.
]]>If you’re not empathetic, don’t feel too badly, says the London Daily Telegraph; it could be genetic. Empathy is thought to be mediated in part by oxytocin, the so-called “cuddle hormone” in the brain. Numerous studies have shown that people with elevated oxytocin levels are more generous and trusting.
In a new study, subjects were shown a series of photos of facial expressions and then asked to characterize the emotions they saw— a classic “empathy test.” The scientists found that subjects with a gene that made them more receptive to oxytocin were significantly more accurate in their assessments of other people’s feelings. The results, says Oregon State University neuropsychologist Sarina Rodrigues, suggest that “some of us have a natural capacity to be more empathic than others and that some people are more closed-off and detached.”
__________________________________________
From The Week, “Is Empathy Genetic?” December 4, 2009
Source: London Daily Telegraph, “Empathy ‘can be inherited,’” November 17, 2009
]]>Note how a pal approaches the story versus a reviewer (who may or may not know Gilbert). Anne Patchett, friend and a novelist herself (”Bel Canto” among others), writes “Eat, Pray, Love, Then Commit” in The Wall Street Journal versus Ariel Levy’s review “Hitched” in The New Yorker. The WSJ space is a Q&A and, not surprisingly, gushy; The New Yorker story is a little acidic and, more informative.
I don’t think this book is for me (however, my copy of “Eat, Pray, Love” is still sitting next to my bed to read), but I learned a few things from both these articles regarding the institution of marriage. Even read some of the paragraphs to my very own. Plus that picture of Elizabeth’s husband Felipe in The Journal makes him look like a really cute guy.
Among one attention-grabber: That the term “Marriage Benefit Imbalance” is a term sociologists use when referring to the conclusion: ” … women generally lose in the exchange of marriage vows, while men win big.” They’re talking about married women being less healthy, less professionally successful, more depressed, and (until recently) more likely to die a violent death than men. There’s also a lot of history about how marriage became what we think of as, well, marriage — some of it quite surprising.
I’m thinking these articles may have revealed all the good parts. But … good to wait and see whether you think this is a “must read.” Certainly Gilbert’s celebrity and the numbers prove that “Eat, Pray, Love” was.
Click here to buy the book if you like and … let us know,
Harriett@snoety.com
]]>Interested in 6 days of food education, culinary guidance, hands-on cooking, and personal nourishment in a private, peaceful, inspirational setting? Then, you should know about a workshop that’s been put together in Santa Fe that teaches you how to identify and nurture your personal needs through restorative foods that support your health, reflect your personal tastes and parlay with your lifestyle.
The workshop is lead by culinary-nutrition visionaries, Stefanie Bryn Sacks, M.S. (Snoety’s own food expert!) and Field to Plate Founder, Amanda Archibald, R.D. with Kathleen Clancy Jefferson, Ph.D., Certified Executive Coach. There are also special guest chefs, James Beard Award winning writers and chefs: Deborah Madison, Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater.
Features include:
• Personalized food-focused learning, activities and planning
• Hands on cooking and culinary guidance in a private kitchen
• Customized food and nourishment roadmaps for a lifetime of healthy food choices
• Cooking skills and assistance in transferring nourishment to your plate (and your family’s)
• Life-changing reflection, empowerment, encouragement and dialogue
• Personal roadmaps for empowerment and sustainable change
• Small group intimate education in a non-threatening, peaceful space
You also get:
• 6 days of hands-on food and culinary activities, tours and personal discovery/empowerment sessions
• 2 sunset receptions, 3 expansive breakfasts, 3 lunches 2 dinners prepared by award-winning chefs + 1 additional evening meal, all refreshment breaks and tours. Sunrise yoga and fireside evenings.
• Access to presenters throughout the week: during sessions; in the kitchen; in front of the fire; on the patio
• Take home tools and knowledge to enable a lifetime of nourishment and change
They’re filling up quickly, so if you want to learn more and, possibly, register click here.
I can personally vouch for Stefanie’s classes, because I’ve taken them myself!
Harriett @snoety.com
]]>The other day a Dutch friend commented that he didn’t feel right wishing me a “Merry Christmas” because I’m Jewish, and then he asked what he should say to show his good wishes. I explained that “Happy Holidays” was just fine because the Jewish holiday of Chanukah also comes around the same time, and it also falls at the end of the year. (Truth is, “Merry Christmas” is also fine with me, because it’s the good wishes that are nice to hear. If I don’t celebrate a particular holiday, others do and so what — but that’s just my perspective).
Anyway … upon reflecting on this –technically — even “Happy New Year” might not be appropriate, because if you’re Jewish (or Islamic) those religions date the year by a lunar calendar so the date of 2010 could be considered inaccurate — even if the entire world schedules life around that number.
This got me to thinking how I don’t know what to say to someone who is Islamic or Hindu or Buddhist, and what a narrow world we live in (even in New York) that the right greeting wouldn’t just casually come to mind. So, I asked around, and, then got an email from a Muslim friend from Pakistan who sent: “Wishing you a wonderful and happy new year.” And a Hindu friend of my son’s said basically: “Just say Merry Christmas. We’re a very inclusive culture.”
So to all, let me just say:
May the positive spirit of a new year stay with you throughout the next 365 days. And beyond.
Harriett@snoety.com
]]>If you don’t want your profile open to the public, meaning that everyone on Google or Facebook has complete access, go through the necessary steps to ensure your profile is kept private.
If you followed the page Facebook directed you to, you should see two options to check beside all your information: “Everyone” and “Old Settings.” To ensure that your privacy settings are as they were before, go through the list and check off “Old Settings.” If you ignored this or did it improperly the first time, simply go to “Settings” and then “Privacy” to adjust.
So why the new rules? According to the Wall Street Journal article, “How Facebook is Making Friending Obsolete,” Facebook recently made a deal to “distribute certain real-time data to Google and Bing.” Why? Money, of course. Though the article points out, almost half of Facebook users choose to keep their information private (including basic information being displayed on search engines). Meaning despite the new deal, you can choose to opt out, and we suggest you do.
Facebook is even addressing concerns on their privacy settings pages where this message can now be seen, “There have been misleading rumors recently about Facebook indexing all your information on Google. This is not true. Facebook created public search listings in 2007 to enable people to search for your name and see a link to your Facebook profile. They will still only see a basic set of information.” Unless, of course, you opt out by going to “Search” in your privacy settings and unchecking the Allow box next to “Public Search Results.” If this boxis checked, anyone searching your name on Google will have access to your basic profile.
Then again if you don’t have any employers, relatives, ex lovers, or stalkers to worry about, you can always choose to share everything with the world. “Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg led by example, opening up his previously closed profile, including goofy photos of himself curled up with a teddy bear,” the WSJ article said.
What are most people doing? According to the same article, more than half of Facebook users have rejected the defaults to allow everyone to see their profile. But beware, if your friend is in this minority and you interact with them on their wall, photos, etc., your comments will be available for all the world to see, and there’s not much you can do about it.
]]>Barcelona is one of Europe’s most appealing cities: Fabulous Mediterranean location framed by the port and beaches on one side and mountains on the other; a city center of gorgeous low-scale buildings — many from Barcelona’s Modernista architectural period (Gaudí and his contemporaries); lovely squares for hanging out; great restaurants and hip cafes and probably the world’s largest collection of design/boutique hotels.
THE NEIGHBORHOODS
Although not overwhelming in scale, Barcelona has distinct neighborhoods, each with it’s own character. You can connect most by foot - using an occasional taxi (fares are not exorbitant) and/or the city’s underground system. The Old Town, not far from the port, consists of the Barri Gòtic and La Ribera (home to Barcelona’s Museu Picasso and the ultra-hip hangouts of El Born). Adjacent is the up-and-coming El Raval (with MACBA, the Museum of Contemporary Art by U.S. Architect Richard Meier) on it other side. The famous boulevard, La Rambla runs next to the Old Town from the port to Plaça de Catalunya. Here it becomes Rambla de Catalunya, bringing you to the Eixample, home to much of Gaudí’s famous work and also to many high-end shops on Passeig Gracia. In the hills above is the Zona Alta, the location of Gaudí’s Park Güell. Back at the port is Barceloneta where you’ll find the town’s beaches as well as many restaurants, bars and clubs as well as the Vila Olimpíca. Hovering above the Old City is Montjuic - where the Fundació Joan Miró and other museums are located.
WHAT TO SEE/DO
There is so much to see and do that it is hard to edit to a short list - nonetheless, top picks are below. A stay of 3 nights/2 days is minimal, at least 4 nights/3 days is better. Visit www.barcelonaturisme.com for great information on all things practical as well as a rundown of major sights, suggested itineraries and themed routes. Frommer’s “Barcelona, Day by Day” has excellent walking tours and organizes sights by specific interests (i.e.: art, design and architecture, food, kids), in a compact, take-along book. DK’s “Top 10 Barcelona,” another pocket size option is also useful as it lists sights by neighborhood.
WHERE TO EAT
Barcelona is a foodie’s delight where cutting-edge food, hip and more traditional dining options abound - it is impossible to mention all in this short form. However, some well-acclaimed options include: the upscale Moo, in Hotel Omm in the Eixample; Çommerc 24 for high-design tapas in the Ribera (www.commerc24.com); Taller de Tapas with locations in the Barri Gòtic and Eixample for traditional tapas in sleek settings (with very approachable menus) (www.tallerdetapas.com); Set Portes (or 7 Portes) with an atmospheric setting and traditional food, located near the Old Town by the waterfront (www.7portes.com); among much, much more. Others worth mentioning all run by the Grupo Tragluz (who also operate Moo): Tragaluz in the Eixample; Agua on the beach in Barceloneta; and Cuines de Santa Caterina in the contemporary, redesigned Mercat Santa Caterina in the Bario Gòtic (the market is worth a visit even if you don’t dine there) (www.grupotragaluz.com). The aforementioned Frommer’s “Barcelona, Day by Day” provides an excellent list by type as well as location including many noted here. TIP: Taller de Tapas and Set Portes serve continuously - therefore you don’t have to wait until the fashionable hour of 9 pm + for dinner - which is helpful if your travel schedule dictates otherwise.
ALSO NOTE: Reservations are advised for all venues noted here except Taller de Tapas. If you are unsuccessful with online sites, ask your hotel for help.
WHERE TO STAY
There are amazing hotel choices in practically every neighborhood. The key is deciding where you want to be located. Fodor’s “Spain 2009″ has a great chart listing the pros and cons of staying in each neighborhood, along with the pros and cons for each of the hotels in their listing. A more concise version is available at www.fodors.com. By neighborhood, top picks are: Hotel Neri (Barrio Gòtic) (www.hotelneri.com), Hotel 1898 (Rambla/Old Town) (www.hotel1898.com), Hotel Banys Orientals (La Ribera) (www.hotelbanysorientals.com), Casa Camper (El Raval) (www.camper.com), and several in the Eixample (where the design hotel trend started): Hotel Omm (www.hotelomm.es), Hotel Granados 83 (www.derbyhotels.com), Hotel Murmuri (www.murumuri.com) and it’s more traditional sister property, Hotel Majestic (www.hotelmajestic.es) and finally one of the original design hotels: Condes de Barcelona (which is losing some of its panache as it expands but is very well located and usually a good value) (www.condesdebarcelona.com). If you want to live it up at the waterfront, there is the very upscale Hotel Arts, a Ritz-Carlton property and one of the few skyscrapers around (www.ritzcarlton.com).
Hotel Follow-up: I just returned from Barcelona and once again stayed at Condes de Barcelona, confirming that it is still one of my favorite properties in a great location a block away from La Pedrera and Casa Batló, the neighboring streets lined with more modest Modernista gems, and great shops on Passeig Gracia which the hotel fronts. The hotel occupies two buildings — the Monument building, a renovated Modernista masterpiece and the Centre building, of newer construction across the street. Both sport roof top decks with small plunge pools, and there’s a great roof top bar in the Centre building with views of La Pedrera. All rooms are modern and sleek and sound proofed with double glazed windows. If your taste runs towards edgier design request (in advance) one of the newest rooms in the Centre building, otherwise opt for one in the original Monument building. Make sure to reconfirm your room requests via email a few days before arriving (email: reservas@condesdebarcelona.com), and for advance help with restaurant reservations email is: recepcion@condesdebarcelona.com.
Barcelona is a city that I have been fortunate to visit many times during the last 20 years for both business and pleasure. I wish all snoety.com readers similar great times there!
Susan@snoety.com
]]>The test was conducted on two groups of mice. One group had the receptor deactivated while the other group remained normal. After eating a diet high in sugar and fat for 16 weeks, the control group gained far more weight than the deactivated kappa opioid receptor group, but this deactivated group also was not able to store as many nutrients.
What a cruel adaptation. Or is it? Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB** Journal Gerald Weissmann says, “In times when food was scarce and starvation an ever-present threat, an adaptation that allows our bodies to store as much energy as possible during plentiful times was probably a lifesaver.”
Lifesaver then, maybe, but now it’s just a fat-saver. Wouldn’t it be great if we had an evolutionary adaptation that boosted our metabolism during the holidays?!
___________________________________________________
*Physorg.com, “Western diets turn on fat genes,” November 30, 2009
** Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
]]>Looking for a last minute gift before the year end? Take an online trip to one of the museum stores! Since these shops have been seriously “curated,” the design and production is generally of the highest quality, and if you want something really interesting (and need it fast), they’re a great place to shop. Another plus, if you’re a museum member, there are special discounts!
Where to go in New York City?
We always find a lot of cool stuff at the Museum of Modern Art’s MoMA Design & Book Store (go online or to their uptown or downtown shops — from their classic Sky black umbrella with blue skies on the underside ($48) to their bamboo tray Espresso Set ($45), they seem to always have just the right thing.
We often forget the Whitney Museum Store (luckily we have our friend Ginger at Gingerfinds to remind us) which is smaller but also selectively unique. Check out their card cases, like the Blueprint Card Case ($35) which makes a lovely gift for female or male.
Of course there’ s always the Guggenheim Store with their artist-inspired scarfs like the Kandinsky Scarf, Several Circles (1926) ($65) that never go out of style — and there’s a special holiday gift guide area.
American Museum of Natural History Shop is just about one of our favorite places to shop in-store in New York as you find items from around the world for just about anyone. Online, there are Pussy Willow Post Earrings ($115) … Dinosaur puppets ($78) … Planet Saturn Artglass Paperweights ($140) … frog mugs ($12). Well, it is natural history.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store is so successful that now they’ve expanded beyond the Museum space. And why not, when you can offer something like The Wobble Chess Set for ($259) or beautiful writing journals and supplies …
Make your life easy, more interesting and more interested — shop museums! And, if you want us to scout out other museum shops in other U.S. places and around the world, let us know …
Harriett@snoety.com
STORE LOCATIONS for when you want to physically explore:
MoMA Design & Book Store
Midtown: 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY
Soho: 81 Spring Street, New York, NY
(646) 613-1367 or to order (800) 851-4509
Whitney Museum Store
945 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021 (212) 570-3614
Guggenheim Store
1071 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128 (800) 329-6109
American Museum of Natural History Shop
Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 100241 (800) 671-7035
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd (the Museum)
Macy’s Herald Square, 151 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001 (212)268-7266
Rockefeller Center, 15 West 49th, New York, NY 212 332-1360
and locations around the city and around the country including some major airports
With all the leftovers that the holiday’s bring, this site a friend* told us about seems particularly appropriate — StillTasty.com. It’s total reason for being is to maximize food freshness. Now you know how to keep those chocolates longer!
On the site, just type in any any food you could imagine and you’ll learn how long it stays fresh in the fridge and the freezer. But be warned! Don’t just go by the easy-to-use diagrams at the top that list their freshness expectancy! Keep reading. For example, we typed in eggs and saw that it listed freshness for up to a year in the freezer. Our immediate reaction: “Wow! You can freeze eggs?” Well, no, not exactly. In their Tips that are listed further down the page, it instructs you to take the eggs out of the shell and mix in some salt. We don’t know why we’d want to keep eggs for a year this way, but since we always keep them past their expiration date in our fridge, still useful information.
You may be more interested to know:
So next time you’re unsure of your food’s freshness or how to keep it fresh longer, skip the sniff test and log onto www.StillTasty.com. We’re happy to say that when we had our culinary nutritionist Stefanie Sacks check it out, she also gave it her seal of approval.
Harriett@snoety.com
__________________________________________________
* Thank you, Valerie Love!
]]>