Cayenne Pepper, Among Many Things, Stops Heart Attacks

by Healthy Life Tricks

Did you know that cayenne pepper can prevent heart attack in a minute? So you better make sure you always have it on hand or at least in your kitchen cabinet, cause you never know when you might need this valuable ingredient.

An American herbalist, Dr. Christopher, has never lost a patient to a heart attack in his 35-year career. What he does is he gives a cup of cayenne pepper tea (a teaspoon to a cup of water) to patients who are still conscious.  These theory is scientifically proven from personal experience and not on studies done in controlled conditions. So it is even more trustworthy.

The reason why Cayenne pepper helps with heart attack is because it has at least 90,000 Scoville units, according to the Scoville Heat Units (SHU). This also includes Habanero, Thai Chi, African Bird, Jalapeño, Jamaican Hot Pepper, and Scotch Bonet. 

A combination of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a glass of water can be given to patients who have had a heart attack, but are still conscious and breathing.

If the person is unconscious, put a few drops of cayenne pepper extract under the patient’s tongue.

This will increase the heart rate and carries blood to all parts of the body, thus balancing circulation. It has hemostatic effect, stops bleeding, and helps in heart recovery.

The remedy below is considered to be the best remedy for emergency cases of heart attacks. Just remember to use cayenne pepper and not hot pepper.

Ingredients:

• Cayenne pepper powder
• a few fresh cayenne peppers
• 50% alcohol (you can use vodka)
• glass bottle (1 litre)
• Gloves

Preparation:

1.   Put your gloves on because cayenne peppers are pretty hot.

2.   Fill a quarter of the glass bottle with cayenne pepper powder and put enough alcohol to cover the powder. If possible, do this on the first day of a New Moon.

3.   Blend a few fresh cayenne peppers, and add enough alcohol so it gets a sauce-like texture.

4.   Add the mixture to the bottle which should now be 3/4 full.

5.   Fill the bottle to the top with alcohol and close it well. Shake it several times during the day.

6.   Leave the tincture until the next New Moon (after 28 – 29 days), and strain it using a gauze. Keep it in a dark bottle.

7.   If you want to have a very strong tincture, strain it after 3 months.

8.   Close the bottle and store it in a dry and dark place. It doesn’t spoil, so you can use it as long as you want.

Dosage: 5 – 10 drops of the tincture to a conscious patient who has suffered a heart attack or a stroke. Add another 5-10 drops in 5 minutes. Repeat the treatment until the patient’s condition improves.

If the patient is unconscious, put 1-3 drops under the tongue, and start a CPR. Repeat the treatment every 5 minutes until the patient’s condition improves.

Health benefits:

• Cayenne pepper has antifungal properties which prevent the occurrence of Phomopsis and Colletotrichum
• It has a beneficial effect on the digestive system – it stimulates the production of gastric juices, and relieves gases.
• It has anticancer properties, especially for lung cancer and smokers. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper is known to prevent the development of tumors caused by tobacco, and similar results are noticed in patients diagnosed with liver cancer.
• It helps in the treatment of stomach problems, migraines, flu symptoms, allergies, obesity, redness, toothache and arthritis.

There are 26 different nutrients in cayenne pepper, like calcium, zinc, selenium, magnesium, vitamins C and A.

Prepare this remedy and always have it handy, because cayenne pepper is one of the strongest natural spices that can do miracles for the heart.

Source: HealthyFoodHouse.com

CAREFUL WITH THAT CAYENNE

Careful With That Cayenne

I have recommended cayenne pepper before. Even though this is a supplement, not all supplements are harmless or harmless in the given amounts.  I recommended taking cayenne pepper for circulatory reasons.  In that article, it stated that cayenne pepper is THE supplement to have around in case of a heart attack.  But as I've always maintained, much of what passes for therapeutic or fix-it advice on the net regarding supplements is sales copy.  And nothing sells better than fear or greed.  Promise someone they will be richer, better looking, taller, you name it, that's greed--you're selling people what they want and lots of it.  Selling fear means you scare people into a position.  "If you don't want to lose the value of your IRA, listen to this interview."  Same thing with food and with supplements.  

So, yes, it's true that cayenne pepper is great for circulation.  Absolutely.  But do you really need its powerful benefits?  I don't know.  Only you can answer that.  Maybe you could use its benefits for a short time, like in an emergency situation.  Or for a few days after that.  But remember there are a few organs involved in the circulation of your blood to, through, and from the heart.  There are your kidneys for one.  There is your heart for two.  There is your liver.  And your brain sending electronic impulses to everything else.  

Gingko Biloba is better tolerated for the long term.  That's not an endorsement per se, but Gingko is milder.  If I wanted to maintain healthy circulation I'd be running, walking, swimming, hiking, playing basketball or tennis.  Find what you like.  It may be yoga.  Find what you enjoy, find that which brings you that twenty-year-old joy.  Could be dancing or any of the other activities I mentioned.  

But be careful with cayenne pepper.  There are a few important caveats that I want to share with you.

Marie Dannie over at Livestrong reports that 

Too much capsaicin in food can lead to general symptoms of irritation in the mouth, stomach and intestines, and in some cases, it can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Capsaicin is present in both fresh and dried cayenne, as well as in cayenne powder.

A more serious risk is heartburn:

Cayenne pepper in even small amounts, but especially in high quantities, can cause heartburn. The capsaicin content in cayenne irritates the stomach and esophagus lining, increasing the amount of stomach acid produced, which can flow upward into the esophagus, creating a burning sensation in your upper abdomen. A 2010 publication of “Revista de Gastroenterologia de Mexico” found that capsaicin caused gastrointestinal reflux symptoms in people suffering regularly from heartburn as well as those who normally do not experience any reflux problems. 

Have never experienced this reaction with Ginkgo Biloba.  Again from LiveStrong.  This time from Joseph Pritchard--not good for your liver or kidneys:

Capsaicin [has] been associated with stomach upset, kidney and liver damage as well as abdominal pain, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Capsaicin has been associated with increased stomach acidity as well as lowering the effect of ranitidine and other stomach acid reducers. Capsaicin also potentiates the effects of blood-thinning medications. 

This is why you need something milder.  Perhaps you can find a way to take milder amounts of cayenne pepper.  Or simply take Ginkgo Biloba.  But don't give up on Cayenne Pepper on my account.  Dr. Edward Group points us to "17 Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper," some of which seem a little contradictory in my view.  Check out how Dick Quinn relied on cayenne pepper for heart health. 

#1 killer is systemic large artery disease. Kendrick: Chronic injury to endothelium (i.e., pre-diabetes) & then blood clots (repair/response). Answer: Cayenne Pepper

Some folks keep cayenne pepper in a 1st Aid Kit.  Go figure. 

#1 killer is systemic large artery disease. Kendrick: Chronic injury to endothelium (i.e., pre-diabetes) & then blood clots (repair/response). Fix: Eliminate injury (Keto diet), take magnesium + add high-heat cayenne to your dishes (both reduce platelet stickiness). pic.twitter.com/wk8rmjyCAm

— Alan Watson (@DietHeartNews) April 7, 2023

🚨 Shocking Study: giving a child TYLENOL linked to Dramatic increase in Autism. Don't give Tylenol. Give Magnesium and Vitamin C

🚨 Shocking Study: giving a child TYLENOL linked to Dramatic increase in Autism.

"[If Tylenol's given] you're 2000% more likely to have a child w/autism than if you don't give them any acetaminophen from 12 to 18 months."pic.twitter.com/zjgQPcaiHF

— Natural Immunity FTW (@NaturallyFTW) April 21, 2023

Lots of alternatives to aspirin or Tylenol.  Ginger opens up blood vessels.  Vitamin C opens up blood vessels.  These compounds dilate blood vessels.  And have other therapeutic benefits.  Cayenne pepper same thing.  In fact, many folks keep tablets of cayenne pepper in a first-aid kit.  

Diabetic Circulation & Disastrous Circulation from Metabolic Syndrome

Diabetic circulation is best improved through exercise.  For circulation, cayenne pepper may also help to move your blood.  Good blood circulation is for life and limb.

Destroy Annoying Pests with Food

The bitter rind of cucumbers chases ants away.  Much better option than those toxic sprays can linger for hours and leave a nauseating air.

You can add other ingredients to cucumber rind to make the chase of the critters even more hurried.  Here are a few amazing takeaways from the article linked in the previous sentence:

". . . keep crawling pests, such as ants, out. These include garlic – grind it up with water and apply – cayenne pepper, cinnamon, powdered charcoal, bone meal, talcum powder or chalk. Keep in mind that different pests have different aversions, so you’ll have to see what substance works best with the ones trying to sneak into your home."

"Boiling water is excellent for ant control or if you see where they are creeping into your house, squeeze some lemon into the hole or crack."

"If you don’t want to spread sugar around your house, boric acid, about as toxic to us as table salt, is naturally occurring and is another way to kill roaches dead."  I've had great success with boric acid to shoo roaches.

"Baking soda and powdered sugar mixed in equal parts is a good roach killer."

"Cloves smell better than moth balls and are a natural deterrent against winged pests."

"Grind rosemary leaves into a fine dust and sprinkle it onto your pet or its bedding to ward off fleas." And my guess is that their memory and temperament would improve as a result.

CONCERNED CITIZEN: This is a Liver Fluke - found in a Human Stomach.

This is a Liver Fluke - found in a Human Stomach.

And yes they were before you ask….. pic.twitter.com/qft5DzIiOV

— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) November 25, 2024

Ah, wonderful, a liver fluke.  What, pray tell, is a liver fluke?  A parasite, a worm found in the liver.  

Healthline explains,

A liver fluke is a parasitic worm. You can become infected after eating contaminated raw or undercooked freshwater fish or watercress. Infections are usually treated with a drug called triclabendazole.

After liver flukes have been ingested, they travel from your intestines to your bile ducts in your liver where they then live and grow.

Although most infected individuals don’t show any symptoms, sometimes symptoms arise related to the biliary system. In rare cases, long-term complications can also develop.

Liver fluke infections aren’t common in the United States, but they do occur. Your risk of infection increases if you travel to parts of the world where the parasites are widespread.  

Triclabendazole sound like an antiparasitic like Fenbendazole.  Other parasitics exist.  Garlic, Cayenne Pepper, nicotine. 

FenLAB 222 | mg | >99% | 90 | ct https://t.co/oJ59TCHMQu via @amazon

— St. Michael, the Archangel (@aveng_angel) November 26, 2024

CIRCULATION

VITAMIN E

I was looking for treatments for circulation, particularly poor circulation in the lower extremities.  My dad suffered terribly from poor circulation in his legs.  I wish I'd known then, what I know now.  

So what is it that I know now?  Just what I read this morning at DoctorYourself.com:  

According to Wilfrid Shute, M.D. and Evan Shute, M.D., Vitamin E in quantity has many benefits. One is an oxygen-sparing effect on heart muscle.  Another benefit is that Vitamin E helps to gradually break down blood clots in the circulatory system, and helps prevent more from forming. Vitamin E encourages collateral circulation in the smaller blood vessels of the body. It seems to promote healing with the formation of much less scar tissue. Vitamin E helps strengthen and regulate the heartbeat. 

Did you get that?  Vitamin E helps gradually break down blood clots . . . and helps prevent more from forming."  Wow!  Just wow. But that's not all.

Vitamin E encourages collateral circulation in the smaller blood vessels of the body. It seems to promote healing with the formation of much less scar tissue.

It is one thing to hear from a friend or from a commercial or from your own reading what the benefits of a particular vitamin are. How often do we hear that Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant and that people should be taking it for colds?  We hear that a lot.  But there are so many more benefits to Vitamin C that are overlooked. Deliberately overlooked?  Hmm.  I don't know.  Maybe.  Yes, Vitamin C does fight scurvy and is an anti-oxidant.  Yes, but it also builds collagen, which may prove more important than its use as an anti-oxidant.  In fact, turmeric is a more powerful antioxidant than Vitamin C or E.  

Studies have shown that turmeric is effective in halting cancer in all 3 stages, reducing the number of tumors and protecting the throat, stomach, and colon against cancer.  In animal studies, turmeric was toxic to cancer cells within thirty minutes.  

But back to Vitamin E and circulation.  

The above benefits, say the Shutes, mean that vitamin E is important in the treatment of many diseases of the circulatory system. These cardiologists treated heart attacks, angina, atherosclerosis, rheumatic fever, acute and chronic rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart diseases, intermittent claudication, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, and high blood pressure. That's quite a list, to which they soon added diabetes and burns as well. Many medical authorities were skeptical, to say the least. Vitamin E seemed to be too good for too many illnesses. 

Well, that is quite a list.  And how credible are the authors of these findings?  I mean, how do they know?  What proof do they have? 

Before the Shutes' viewpoint on vitamin E can be disregarded we must consider that they treated more than 30,000 cardiac patients over a period of more than 30 years. Their success cannot be easily dismissed. Today, the Shute Institute in London, Ontario, Canada, continues to see cardiac patients from all over the world, providing what is arguably the most thorough and successful vitamin E treatment for heart disease anywhere. 

So there's that.   

Guidelines on taking Vitamin E.  Dr. Saul summarizes the Shutes' opinion on that question. 

A person in good health may wish to begin with a supplemental amount of 200 I.U. of vitamin E per day and try it for a couple of weeks. Then, 400 IU  might be taken daily for another two weeks. For the next two weeks, 600 I.U. daily, and for the next two weeks, 800 I.U. per day and so on. One ultimately takes the least amount that gives the best results. This approach is essentially that of Richard A. Passwater and is provided in more detail in his book Supernutrition (1975, Pocket Books).  

There were reports about ten years that said taking 400IU is the maximum amount one should take per day.  But a friend of mine takes 3 to 4 to 5 times that and he looks healthy.  Nor do I ever hear of any physical ailments from him.  So there's that.  But Sau's summary above says that the best way is to take a graduated amount, starting at 200I.U. and working up to as high as 800I.U. a day.   

After recognizing Vitamin E's versatility in everything from heart disease to hemorrhoids, Saul explains why a single vitamin or its deficiency can account for so many functions our bodies: 

First, the reason one vitamin can cure so many ailments is that a deficiency of one vitamin can cause many ailments. Each vitamin has many different uses in the human body. There are, after all, just over a dozen vitamins and your body undergoes countless millions of different biochemical reactions daily. Therefore, each vitamin has to have a large variety of applications. 

My own experience with Vitamin E is that is a terrific topical wound healer.  I said healer. Absolutely.  And this has been corroborated by friends who've experienced similar miraculous responses from topical Vitamin E.  I had an open sore on my wrist that would just not go away.  I was suffering some serious stress at work and the open wound that started as a cut just did not heal itself.  It would start to scab and then the scabbing would recede. Frustrated by the lack of progress, I got a Vitamin E capsule.  I knew that Vitamin E was good for skin, I just didn't know how good.  Within 3 days after applying the Vitamin E to the wound, it had almost entirely healed.  The wound had closed and the scab was hardening to its later stages.  I could not believe my eyes.  I shared the information with a friend. He told me "That's why I take it internally.  For healing."  

Now tracking the internal improvements derived from Vitamin E is a lot harder.  I mean if you've got internal ulcers, it's kind of hard to know if they've been treated or healed by swallowing Vitamin E gelatinous capsules. 

For foods rich in Vitamin E, check out this list: 

1.  Spinach

2.  Vegetable oils [but be careful here: I recommend only olive oil, coconut oil, sesame seed oil, and macadamia nut oil.  All others, forget about it, especially forget about Canola and Soybean oils. Ugh!]

3.  Hazelnuts

4.  Sunflower seeds

5.  Avocados

6.  Shrimp

7.  Rainbow Trout

8.  Broccoli

9.  Butternut Squash

10.  Kiwi

CIRCULATORY FOODS BESIDES VITAMIN E
1.  Cayenne Pepper
2.  Gingko Biloba
3.  Ginger
4.  Onions.
5.  Garlic. 
6.  Parsley is really good for you; it's got Vitamin C too.
7.  Horse Chestnut (I've tried this in supplement form only once.)
8.  Willow Bark is Nature's aspirin.
9.  Green tea is "known to improve the function of the cells that line the capillaries."  Hmm.

H1N1 ATTACKS THE LUNGS

H1N1 and the Damage It Can Cause

H1N1 ATTACKS THE LUNGS
The respiratory tract.  H1N1 attacks the lungs, which form the major organs of your lower respiratory system.  You may not know that you have the H1N1, which is a particularly pernicious attack on lung tissue. A coworker/friend who had H1N1 said she had a case of bronchitis.  I am sure that is how it was registered.  She said that it was a particularly bad case of bronchitis and that she could not get rid of it.  She said this as she coughed.  

from thehealtsite.

The alarming rate at which swine flu is claiming lives, recovering from the flu is definitely akin to getting a new lease of life. However, most patients who develop the flu and are discharged from the hospital after proper treatment and care, often fear if – life would be the same even after recovery. Read to know if swine flu is completely curable.

ROAD TO RECOVERY

On the surface, there might not be a lot of changes that one needs to deal with after recovery. ‘A normal healthy individual can recover from the symptoms of swine flu within 48 to 75 hours, if proper treatment is given on time, which means soon after developing the symptoms. Even with supportive therapy, like proper ventilation to improve oxygenation of blood, one can recover from the flu within five to seven days. Although, general fatigue, weakness and tiredness can be persistent for about a fortnight, it subsides with rest and proper diet,’ informs Dr Prakash Jiandani, Director of Critical Care Unit, Wockhardt Hospital, South Mumbai. Here is the proper treatment and medicine guide for a swine flu patient.

However, people who suffer from moderate to severe symptoms of swine flu, end up with a suppressed lung function or problems related to the respiratory tract. ‘This is because the progression of swine flu attacks lung function and most deaths or critical cases of swine flu are the ones with respiratory infection or failure. That’s a reason why oxygen therapy, with proper ventilation, becomes a necessity for patients suffering from swine flu in advanced stage,’ says Dr Jiandani.

COMPLICATIONS of SWINE FLU

In most severe cases of swine flu, one develops acute respiratory distress syndrome or ARDS, a life-threatening condition and prime reason for so many lives being lost to the flu. In this condition, the lungs of the patient are damaged to such an extent that there is low level of oxygen in the blood, which interferes with the functioning of other organs. For people with a suppressed immune system, like the ones suffering from diabetes, hypertension, elderly generation, etc., recovery from ARDS is very rare. Here is a complete food guide for people suffering from swine flu.

At its severity, the H1N1 virus, causing the seasonal flu, disrupts the functioning of the lungs to a great extent. If one develops ARDS, it could mean that the air sacs or the alveoli of the lungs are filled with fluid and hence, unable to pump requisite oxygen for proper functioning of the entire body. The symptoms of ARDS include: Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and low blood pressure.

This detail--that the alveoli could be filled with fluid and "unable to pump requisite oxygen" should be a very serious cause for concern with this particular flu.  Do not mess around with toughing it out or going mild on treatment.  You want to aggressively consume large amounts of Vitamin C, eat whole lemons or drink the juice from them perhaps, but whatever you do be sure to get massive amounts of Vitamin C.  Look, if you've already got a chronic condition or you've got injuries somewhere or you've got arthritis, getting the H1N1 could be life-threatening, so don't play around with this.  Other folks I know, a few years older than me, who contracted H1N1 did not do so well in recovery and probably have been working out of a chronic condition since then [two years ago] and may very well end up fighting that chronic condition for the rest of their lives. It is awful.  And very serious.  A friend of mine in the medical field said that the H1N1 is no more serious than any other flu, joking that there is no flu season, that the flu does not take a vacation the rest of the year and then in the winter it comes back with a vengeance.  

Bill Sardi wrote about the swine flu in the winter of 2014. Lots of people died.  He pointed to the collective depressed immunity brought on by vaccines as the culprit.  Regardless, you need to fight for your life.

However, if recovery takes place with all the requisite treatment modalities, ‘it might end up with a scar formation in the lungs which could lead to a radical sequel of the same in the future. There is quite a bit of chance of recurrence of respiratory problems even after recovering from the flu,’ says Dr Jiandani. Prevent the spread of swine flu following these 10 dos and don’ts.

LIFE AFTER RECOVERY

Although ARDS is a life-threatening condition, if one recovers from it, one might have to live with:

Scarring in the lungs: For most people suffering from ARDS, there develops scar in the lungs and the air sacs thickens, which remain unaltered even after recovery. This stiffening of the lung tissues can make it difficult for proper oxygen dissemination in the bloodstream.

Being prone to infections: ‘With a suppressed immunity and scarring in the lungs, a person might also be prone to bacterial infections and other respiratory tract infections in the future,’ says Dr Jiandani.

Abnormal lung functions: Most people with ARDS recover with their lungs functioning normally. However, in some rare cases, the lungs might need supportive oxygen supplementation for few hours a day or few times in a month to help one breathe to the optimum.

Emotional disturbance: Low levels of oxygen in the blood stream due to an impaired lung function can also lead to memory or cognitive impairment and could lead to depression and emotional imbalances in some survivors.  

FOODS & NUTRIENTS THAT FIGHT H1N1
ANTI-OXIDANTS
Vitamin C, Vitamin C, Vitamin C.  One way not to have to live with ARDS is to treat the flu, any flu you contract, immediately with Vitamin C.  Not sugary Cranberry juice or orange juice or even an orange, though the flavonoids of an orange actually would help.  But instead get a blast of Vitamin C by way of ascorbic acid or buffered capsules with a full panel of bioflavonoids or try one of the synthetic Vitamin Cs that bypass your digestive tract.  You want lots of Vitamin C, for according to this report, anti-oxidants [like Vitamin C] destroy the virus, protect and repair lung tissue.  ". . . this discovery is another reason to drink red wine to your health. Antioxidants may be a weakness of the H1N1 flu virus."

GARLIC

BEEF or CHICKEN BROTH

CAYENNE PEPPER

WHITE FOODS (I am not being racist, I swear)

Radishes, mushrooms, Asian pear, and white fish.  Sounds good.  I am thinking of halibut and perhaps a fish chowder with a buttery cream sauce, not one of those made with a heavy cornstarch.

One food that is hard for me to avoid is dairy.  I love raw milk, cheeses, yogurt, and butter.  I would still recommend some butter during your bout with and recovery from H1N1.  Maybe even yogurt too.  Probiotics help with immunity.  

Fentanyl Poisoning? It Can Happen at Any Restaurant

Maybe a good thing to know if you're accidentally poisoned eating out at restaurants.  You don't know who is in the kitchen.  You don't know their associates.  So it doesn't hurt to know what the symptoms are of fentanyl poisoning.  Death by fentanyl poisoning means you stop breathing.  Fentanyl attaches to receptors in the brain and can cause a person to stop breathing, CBS News. I was in a Mexican restaurant yesterday Wednesday and was poisoned by the chef.  Before my order is ready, he walks out from behind the kitchen into the parking lot to his car wearing a brown leather apron, like Walter White in Breaking Bad, not a traditional white Chef's apron, and a pair of sunglasses at 8:30 in the morning in a swag or a confident bounce from his knowledge of poisoning me without anyone knowing, like he deserves the crown of "Thug Life."  Important to know, too, that Fentanyl has analogs.  

Naloxone is the remedy to Fentanyl poisoning, and you can get it without a prescription in the United States at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and RiteAid.  Online retailers at Amazon and Target.

On Sunday, February 8, 2025, I went for an acupuncture treatment and told the intake nurse about fentanyl poisoning and apparently, they gave me a back treatment.  Was the back treatment a kidney treatment?  Who knows?  I don't.  Nor did the receptionist. 

Keng-Tong Su

Shang Shudong

Dr. Peng.

The clips below are from X's Grok.  Read here.

Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, can be lethal due to its impact on the body's respiratory system and central nervous system. Here’s how it can lead to death:

1. Respiratory Depression:
   • Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in the brain, which are involved in controlling pain and breathing. When it binds to these receptors, it can significantly slow down or even stop breathing. This condition, known as respiratory depression, reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain and other vital organs, leading to hypoxia (oxygen deprivation).
2. Sedation and Loss of Consciousness:
   • The drug causes profound sedation. At high doses, this can lead to unconsciousness where the person might not wake up, especially if they are alone or if there's no one to intervene.
3. Central Nervous System Depression:
   • Fentanyl depresses the central nervous system, slowing down heart rate and reducing blood pressure, which combined with respiratory depression, can lead to organ failure if not corrected quickly.
4. Overdose Risk Due to Potency:
   • Fentanyl is significantly more potent than heroin or morphine, meaning even small amounts can lead to an overdose. Its potency also means that it can be easily misused or accidentally ingested in lethal quantities, particularly if mixed with other drugs or if the purity of the drug is unknown.
5. Tolerance and Dependence:
   • Users can develop tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects, which increases the risk of overdose. Additionally, physical dependence can lead to withdrawal symptoms that might drive someone to take more of the drug, escalating the risk of an accidental overdose.
6. Combining with Other Substances:
   • When fentanyl is used in combination with other depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other opioids, the risk of fatal overdose increases due to compounded effects on breathing and heart function.

An overdose from fentanyl can happen very quickly because of its fast-acting nature. Symptoms of an overdose include:

• Pinpoint pupils
• Unconsciousness or inability to wake up
• Slow, weak, or no breathing
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Limp body
• Cold and/or clammy skin
• Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

Immediate Actions:

• If an overdose is suspected, calling emergency services immediately is crucial. Administering naloxone (Narcan), if available, can reverse the effects of opioids, but it might not be effective against all fentanyl analogs, and multiple doses might be needed.

Understanding these mechanisms can help in recognizing the dangers of fentanyl misuse and in promoting awareness about the importance of having naloxone accessible and knowing how to respond in an overdose situation.

Only because I had read that a Mexican-owned restaurant chain in Denver was owned by the cartel, called Taco Star, is the only reason I asked Grok this question, "What is the % of Mexican restaurants in the United States owned by the cartel?"

The available information does not provide a specific percentage regarding Mexican restaurants owned by cartels in the US. However, we can infer some context from related data:

• Mexican drug cartels have a significant influence over the wholesale drug trade in the US, but local partners, often including gangs, handle street-level sales and distribution. This suggests that while cartels might have control over certain illicit activities, their direct ownership of legitimate businesses like restaurants might be less clear or widespread. (Source: Business Insider, 2017)
• Cartels have extended their operations into various sectors of the Mexican economy, including extortion of businesses like restaurants, but this does not equate to ownership. Instead, it points to a strategy of control through intimidation and extortion rather than direct ownership. (Source: The Washington Post, 2024)
• Organized crime in Mexico, including cartels, has diversified into many areas beyond drugs, including control over local economies, but again, this control is more about influence and extortion rather than owning businesses outright in the US. (Source: USA Today, 2024)

Given this context, while cartels might exert influence or demand protection money from Mexican restaurants in the US, there's no direct data indicating a specific percentage of ownership. It's important to differentiate between control or influence through criminal activities and actual ownership.

If you're looking for more precise statistics on this matter, comprehensive studies specifically addressing cartel ownership of businesses in the US would be needed, but currently, such precise figures are not readily available from the information at hand.

REMEDIES ARE AVAILABLE

When addressing spinal injuries, particularly those potentially exacerbated by substances like Fentanyl, it's crucial to approach natural remedies with caution and in conjunction with medical advice. Here are some natural remedies that have been explored for spinal cord injury recovery, based on the information available:

1. Turmeric (Curcumin):
   • Benefits: Turmeric contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is known to help reduce inflammation and protect nerve cells, potentially aiding recovery from spinal injuries.
   • Usage: Turmeric can be consumed in food, as a supplement, or in curcumin extract form. However, its bioavailability is low, so combining it with black pepper (piperine) can enhance absorption.
2. Cayenne Pepper:
   • Benefits: Contains capsaicin, which can stimulate circulation and may help in managing pain by desensitizing nerve endings.
   • Usage: Can be applied topically in cream form or ingested in small amounts. Capsaicin creams are available for pain relief, but they should be used cautiously as they can cause skin irritation.
3. DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide):
   • Benefits: Known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, DMSO might help reduce swelling and improve nerve function.
   • Usage: Typically applied topically, though it should be used under medical supervision due to potential side effects.
4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
   • Benefits: These are essential for brain and spinal cord health, reducing inflammation, and potentially aiding in nerve repair.
   • Usage: Fish oil supplements, DHA, or flaxseed oil are common sources. The dosage should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
5. Acupuncture:
   • Benefits: Studies suggest it can help with pain management and might improve outcomes in spinal cord injury by stimulating nerve pathways.
   • Usage: Requires a qualified practitioner and should be part of a broader treatment plan.
6. Massage Therapy:
   • Benefits: Can improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and enhance well-being, which is crucial for recovery from any injury.
   • Usage: Should be gentle and performed by therapists with experience in treating spinal injuries.
7. Yoga:
   • Benefits: Adaptive yoga can help regain mobility, strength, and flexibility while also managing stress and pain.
   • Usage: Modified poses for those with limited mobility should be supervised by a yoga instructor familiar with spinal injuries.
8. Herbal Supplements:
   • Benefits: Some herbs like Ginseng, Ginkgo, and Astragalus have been studied for their potential neuroprotective effects.
   • Usage: Herbal treatments should be approached with caution due to potential interactions with medications or other health conditions.

Important Considerations:

• Consult Healthcare Providers: Before starting any natural remedy, especially post-injury or when dealing with pain management in relation to Fentanyl use, discuss with your healthcare provider. Fentanyl can interact with herbs or supplements, leading to potentially dangerous effects.
• No Cure: Natural remedies do not cure spinal injuries; they can only aid in managing symptoms and potentially supporting recovery processes.
• Evidence: The effectiveness of these remedies can vary greatly from one person to another, and much of the research is preliminary or anecdotal.

Considering your location in the US, local access to these treatments might vary, so consulting with local healthcare providers or alternative medicine practitioners can provide personalized advice based on your specific condition and environment. Remember, while natural remedies can be beneficial, they should not replace conventional medical treatments but rather complement them.

UPDATE, MARCH 28, 2025. Still having difficulty having a bowel movement.

Maybe not fentanyl.

There is no definitive evidence or widely documented information specifying particular poisons that cartels use to prevent bowel movements. However, in the context of drug trafficking, cartels often employ drug mules—individuals who smuggle drugs by swallowing them in balloons or packets. To reduce the risk of these packets rupturing or being expelled prematurely during transport, mules may be given substances to slow digestion or inhibit bowel movements. These aren’t typically "poisons" in the traditional sense but rather medications or compounds with constipating effects.

For example, anti-diarrheal drugs like loperamide (commonly known as Imodium) are sometimes used to slow gastrointestinal motility and prevent bowel movements. In smuggling operations, such substances could be administered to mules to ensure the drugs remain in their stomachs or intestines until they reach their destination.

Additionally, some reports suggest that mules might be instructed to avoid food or take other constipating agents to minimize the need to defecate during transit.

The idea of using a "poison" specifically to stop bowel movements doesn’t align with known cartel practices, as their goal is typically to keep mules functional and alive to complete the smuggling task, not to harm them outright. True poisons, which are toxic and potentially lethal, would be counterproductive in this scenario. If you’re referring to a specific case or fictional depiction (e.g., from media like Breaking Bad), feel free to clarify, and I can tailor the response further!

Immodium is not without its risks.

Risks from Misuse or Overuse

Prolonged or excessive use (far beyond recommended doses) can cause issues that might mimic or contribute to gut problems:

1. Severe Constipation: Over-slowing the gut can lead to fecal impaction or intestinal obstruction. If untreated, this could theoretically strain the gut, but permanent damage isn’t well-documented.
2. Toxic Megacolon: In rare cases, especially with underlying conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or infections (e.g., C. diff), Imodium can mask symptoms and delay treatment, potentially worsening inflammation or leading to bowel dilation. This is more about exacerbating pre-existing damage than causing it directly.
3. Motility Issues: Chronic use might disrupt natural gut rhythm temporarily, but the gut typically recovers once the drug is stopped, assuming no other factors.

Abuse Context (High Doses)

• Some people misuse loperamide in massive doses (e.g., 50-300 mg) to self-treat opioid withdrawal or chase a high. This can lead to systemic toxicity—heart problems (arrhythmias) and central nervous system depression are the main concerns, not gut damage. However, extreme constipation or ileus (gut paralysis) could stress the intestines, though recovery is usual with medical intervention.