Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a way to help identify people at risk of overdosing on stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamine.
“We wanted a tool that would help us predict people at high risk in order to be able to provide them with the services and interventions and supports,” said Dr. Rebecca Arden Harris, who specializes in addiction medicine and research at Penn.
Harris and colleagues used data from more than 70 million Medicaid recipients to track emergency department visits related to stimulant overdoses. Then the team identified key risk factors, including diagnosis of substance use disorders, prior overdoses, higher poverty rates, crowded housing and being male.
The motivation for the research is a spike in overdose deaths involving stimulants, Harris said.
Nationwide, fatal overdoses linked to stimulant use jumped from 4,681 in 2011 to 29,449 in 2023 nationwide. Nearly 60% of fatal overdoses between 2021 and 2024 involved stimulants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And while opioids, fentanyl in particular, remain the primary cause of fatal overdoses in Philadelphia, 70% of people who died from opioid overdoses in 2023 had cocaine, meth or other stimulants in their systems. About one-quarter of illicit opioid samples between January and June also contained cocaine or crack, according to the city’s drug-checking program.
People who think they are buying dope on the street may be getting bags with stimulants mixed in. Also, people who use opioids, which are sedatives, sometimes also use stimulants, or uppers, to combat the drowsiness, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
City addressing cardiovascular dangers
In reaction to the spike in overdose deaths involving cocaine and meth, Philadelphia recently started a campaign to educate people about the links among stimulant use, heart disease and overdose risk.
Cocaine and other stimulants increase heart rate and blood pressure and cause vasoconstriction and vasospasm – so people who use them have heightened risks of stroke, heart failure, sudden cardiac death and other cardiovascular problems.
Stimulant use poses other serious health problems, including the potential of meth-induced psychosis and permanent brain damage.
Philadelphia’s outreach focuses on the heart health risks of stimulant use. It also aims to reduce barriers to primary care and help people learn how to talk to providers about stimulants, said Fatimah Maiga, a spokesperson for the health department’s Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Division.
“We really want people to be able to have an open conversation with their provider, make sure that they’re reporting their drug history, any symptoms and signs that they’ve experienced that might be related to heart disease, and then talk to their doctor about next steps, what they hope to accomplish from that visit, or continued visits with that provider,” Maiga said.
The campaign’s website lists walk-in primary care clinics around the city. It also has a guide for how to talk to health care providers about substance use and tools for clinicians for assessing people who use stimulants.
Limited of treatment options
Part of the challenge of helping people who use stimulants is that no medication exists to reduce cravings or to help prevent and reverse overdoses.
For people who use opioids, there are medications, like methadone and buprenorphine, which help reduce cravings and dependency. Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, reverses opioid overdoses by temporarily blocking their effects.
Although research is ongoing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved such medications for cocaine or meth addiction. In the meantime, contingency management – which offers monetary or other tangible rewards for people who reach specific goals for reducing or stopping cocaine or meth use – is considered the most effective treatment for people addicted to stimulants.
The health department wants providers to consider a harm-reduction approach, advising that “reduction in stimulant use is often more achievable than total abstinence” and that “reduced use improves health outcomes” and “should be considered a valid, positive outcome for patients who use stimulants.”
Prediction as means to help prevention
Penn’s Dr. Harris hopes the stimulant overdose prediction model she and her colleagues developed will assist in efforts to address the dangers of using cocaine, meth and other stimulants.
Limitations of the study include the fact that it was confined to people with Medicaid and only looked at overdoses that resulted in emergency department visits. While more research is needed, Harris said the tool has potential for integration into public health surveillance systems. It could help identify not just individuals at risk of stimulant overdoses, but also neighborhoods that could benefit from targeted interventions, she said.
“Part of prevention is being able to match the intervention and resources to the individuals who would most benefit from it,” Harris said.
Much of life went virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic — work, school and even some doctor’s appointments. So did many support groups for people with alcohol use disorder.
But people who attended Alcoholic Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Women for Sobriety and other mutual-help groups in person were “significantly” more likely to maintain sobriety than people who participated in these groups only online, a recent study shows.
“Online meetings are convenient and widely available, so they could theoretically support many people who face barriers to in-person attendance, such as young people and rural populations,” Sarah Zemore, the study’s principal investigator, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, attending online meetings exclusively was associated with poorer outcomes.”
The study, led by researchers at Stanford University and the Alcohol Research Group, used data from more than 1,000 adults who took part in a previous study conducted between 2015 and 2021. It found that people who only attended mutual-help groups online were about half as likely to report that they had maintained their sobriety. At a three-month follow-up, people who attended only online were three times more likely to report problems with alcohol.
People who attended groups in person and online were as likely to maintain abstinence as people who only went to meetings in person.
One of the reasons why people attending only online may have had worse outcomes may have been because they reported lower participation levels in the meetings, researchers said.
Nearly 28 million people in the United States have alcohol use disorder. They have trouble stopping or controlling their consumption of alcohol despite adverse effects on relationships, careers and overall health.
Two years ago, the World Health Organization declared that no level of drinking is safe – not even moderate drinking. In January, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory about alcohol consumption increasing the risk for seven types of cancer. He called for warning labels on alcohol about its carcinogenic risk.
Several medications are available to treat alcohol use disorder, including naltrexone, which helps decrease cravings and reduce the amount of alcohol consumed during drinking episodes. Therapy and group supports are also important parts of a full recovery program for alcohol use disorder.
Nurse Rod Salaysay works with all kinds of instruments in the hospital: a thermometer, a stethoscope and sometimes his guitar and ukulele.
In the recovery unit of UC San Diego Health, Salaysay helps patients manage pain after surgery. Along with medications, he offers tunes on request and sometimes sings. His repertoire ranges from folk songs in English and Spanish to Minuet in G Major and movie favorites like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Patients often smile or nod along. Salaysay even sees changes in their vital signs like lower heart rate and blood pressure, and some may request fewer painkillers.
“There’s often a cycle of worry, pain, anxiety in a hospital,” he said, “but you can help break that cycle with music.”
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Salaysay is a one-man band, but he’s not alone. Over the past two decades, live performances and recorded music have flowed into hospitals and doctors’ offices as research grows on how songs can help ease pain.
Scientists explore how music affects pain perception
The healing power of song may sound intuitive given music’s deep roots in human culture. But the science of whether and how music dulls acute and chronic pain — technically called music-induced analgesia — is just catching up.
No one suggests that a catchy song can fully eliminate serious pain. But several recent studies, including in the journals Pain and Scientific Reports, have suggested that listening to music can either reduce the perception of pain or enhance a person’s ability to tolerate it.
What seems to matter most is that patients — or their families — choose the music selections themselves and listen intently, not just as background noise.
How music can affect pain levels
“Pain is a really complex experience,” said Adam Hanley, a psychologist at Florida State University. “It’s created by a physical sensation, and by our thoughts about that sensation and emotional reaction to it.”
Two people with the same condition or injury may feel vastly different levels of acute or chronic pain. Or the same person might experience pain differently from one day to the next.
Acute pain is felt when pain receptors in a specific part of the body — like a hand touching a hot stove — send signals to the brain, which processes the short-term pain. Chronic pain usually involves long-term structural or other changes to the brain, which heighten overall sensitivity to pain signals. Researchers are still investigating how this occurs.
“Pain is interpreted and translated by the brain,” which may ratchet the signal up or down, said Dr. Gilbert Chandler, a specialist in chronic spinal pain at the Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic.
Researchers know music can draw attention away from pain, lessening the sensation. But studies also suggest that listening to preferred music helps dull pain more than listening to podcasts.
“Music is a distractor. It draws your focus away from the pain. But it’s doing more than that,” said Caroline Palmer, a psychologist at McGill University who studies music and pain.
Scientists are still tracing the various neural pathways at work, said Palmer.
“We know that almost all of the brain becomes active when we engage in music,” said Kate Richards Geller, a registered music therapist in Los Angeles. “That changes the perception and experience of pain — and the isolation and anxiety of pain.”
Music genres and active listening
The idea of using recorded music to lessen pain associated with dental surgery began in the late 19th century before local anesthetics were available. Today researchers are studying what conditions make music most effective.
Researchers at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands conducted a study on 548 participants to see how listening to five genres of music — classical, rock, pop, urban and electronic — extended their ability to withstand acute pain, as measured by exposure to very cold temperatures.
All music helped, but there was no single winning genre.
“The more people listened to a favorite genre, the more they could endure pain,” said co-author Dr. Emy van der Valk Bouman. “A lot of people thought that classical music would help them more. Actually, we are finding more evidence that what’s best is just the music you like.”
The exact reasons are still unclear, but it may be because familiar songs activate more memories and emotions, she said.
The simple act of choosing is itself powerful, said Claire Howlin, director of the Music and Health Psychology Lab at Trinity College Dublin, who co-authored a study that suggested allowing patients to select songs improved their pain tolerance.
“It’s one thing that people can have control over if they have a chronic condition — it gives them agency,” she said.
Active, focused listening also seems to matter.
Hanley, the Florida State psychologist, co-authored a preliminary study suggesting daily attentive listening might reduce chronic pain.
“Music has a way of lighting up different parts of the brain,” he said, “so you’re giving people this positive emotional bump that takes their mind away from the pain.”
It’s a simple prescription with no side effects, some doctors now say.
Cecily Gardner, a jazz singer in Culver City, California, said she used music to help get through a serious illness and has sung to friends battling pain.
“Music reduces stress, fosters community,” she said, “and just transports you to a better place.”
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The paramedic who was injured in a medical helicopter crash on Highway 50 in Sacramento earlier this month has been released from the hospital, according to the Sacramento Fire Department. (Previous coverage in the video player above.)Paramedic Margaret “DeDe” Davis was among the three crew members on board the REACH Air Medical Services helicopter when it crashed on the highway on Oct. 6. On Friday, she was transferred to a rehabilitation facility. The nurse on board the flight, Suzie Smith, died from her injuries last week. The pilot, Chad Millward, remains in the hospital on Friday. A family member told KCRA 3 on Thursday that Millward is making good progress in his recovery.The Sacramento Fire Department said it had crews on hand as Davis was released from UC Davis Medical Center. A family member of Davis told KCRA 3 on Thursday that they are grateful to the hospital staff for their help in her recovery.REACH Air Medical Services shared this statement following Davis’ release from the hospital: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous support shown to our team following the October 6 REACH Air Medical helicopter accident on Highway 50 in Sacramento. The compassion and concern from our community have meant so much to all those affected, and we are deeply appreciative of everyone keeping our crew and their families in their thoughts and prayers. We are encouraged to share positive news regarding our crew members: Chad Millward (pilot) and Margaret “DeDe” Davis (paramedic) continue to make meaningful progress in their recovery. Chad remains in the ICU, but his condition has stabilized. DeDe has been discharged from the hospital and has begun the next important phase of her journey to recovery. She is now in an inpatient rehabilitation program, where she’ll receive specialized care and support as she continues to heal. We deeply mourn the loss of Susan “Suzie” Smith, whose dedication and compassion touched countless lives. As we celebrate the ongoing recovery of Chad and DeDe, we honor Suzie’s memory and her significant contributions to our community.”The cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Paramedic Margaret “DeDe” Davis was among the three crew members on board the REACH Air Medical Services helicopter when it crashed on the highway on Oct. 6. On Friday, she was transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
The pilot, Chad Millward, remains in the hospital on Friday. A family member told KCRA 3 on Thursday that Millward is making good progress in his recovery.
The Sacramento Fire Department said it had crews on hand as Davis was released from UC Davis Medical Center. A family member of Davis told KCRA 3 on Thursday that they are grateful to the hospital staff for their help in her recovery.
REACH Air Medical Services shared this statement following Davis’ release from the hospital: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous support shown to our team following the October 6 REACH Air Medical helicopter accident on Highway 50 in Sacramento. The compassion and concern from our community have meant so much to all those affected, and we are deeply appreciative of everyone keeping our crew and their families in their thoughts and prayers.
We are encouraged to share positive news regarding our crew members: Chad Millward (pilot) and Margaret “DeDe” Davis (paramedic) continue to make meaningful progress in their recovery. Chad remains in the ICU, but his condition has stabilized. DeDe has been discharged from the hospital and has begun the next important phase of her journey to recovery. She is now in an inpatient rehabilitation program, where she’ll receive specialized care and support as she continues to heal.
We deeply mourn the loss of Susan “Suzie” Smith, whose dedication and compassion touched countless lives. As we celebrate the ongoing recovery of Chad and DeDe, we honor Suzie’s memory and her significant contributions to our community.”
The cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation.
A Vermont man is lucky to be alive after collapsing from cardiac arrest in August. This week, he finally got the chance to thank the people who saved him.Bob Fenoff, 67, was working on a wall in his office when he said he suddenly blacked out and collapsed. Fenoff’s office is connected to the garage, which he leases to the Vermont transportation agency, VTRANS. “I just lost consciousness and that was it. Ended up on the floor,” Fenoff said.Two VTRANS employees, Noah Royer and John McClure, immediately jumped into action. They dialed 911 and began performing CPR — skills they had learned through mandatory workplace training.“Even though it doesn’t train you for moments like that, it gives you the basics,” Royer said. “Fight or flight takes over from there.”First responders arrived minutes later. Paramedics used a defibrillator to restart Fenoff’s heart. He spent two weeks in a coma before waking up and is now expected to make a full recovery.“If it had not been for the brave and immediate actions of Noah Royer and John McClure, I do not think that Mr. Fenoff would be standing in front of us today,” Keith Feddersen, a paramedic with CALEX Ambulance, said.Fenoff and his wife, Kathy, say they can’t express enough gratitude for the lifesaving efforts.“I’d thank you a hundred times — can’t thank you enough,” Kathy said.First responders hope Fenoff’s story will inspire others to learn CPR and AED use.“Getting certified is vitally important,” Capt. Phil Hawthorne of the St. Johnsbury Fire Department said. “This case really proves it.”
A Vermont man is lucky to be alive after collapsing from cardiac arrest in August. This week, he finally got the chance to thank the people who saved him.
Bob Fenoff, 67, was working on a wall in his office when he said he suddenly blacked out and collapsed. Fenoff’s office is connected to the garage, which he leases to the Vermont transportation agency, VTRANS.
“I just lost consciousness and that was it. Ended up on the floor,” Fenoff said.
Two VTRANS employees, Noah Royer and John McClure, immediately jumped into action. They dialed 911 and began performing CPR — skills they had learned through mandatory workplace training.
“Even though it doesn’t train you for moments like that, it gives you the basics,” Royer said. “Fight or flight takes over from there.”
First responders arrived minutes later. Paramedics used a defibrillator to restart Fenoff’s heart. He spent two weeks in a coma before waking up and is now expected to make a full recovery.
“If it had not been for the brave and immediate actions of Noah Royer and John McClure, I do not think that Mr. Fenoff would be standing in front of us today,” Keith Feddersen, a paramedic with CALEX Ambulance, said.
Fenoff and his wife, Kathy, say they can’t express enough gratitude for the lifesaving efforts.
“I’d thank you a hundred times — can’t thank you enough,” Kathy said.
First responders hope Fenoff’s story will inspire others to learn CPR and AED use.
“Getting certified is vitally important,” Capt. Phil Hawthorne of the St. Johnsbury Fire Department said. “This case really proves it.”
The Camden County Board of Commissioners and the Addiction Awareness Task Force (AATF) launched the Break the Stigma campaign to change the conversation around addiction and recovery. This initiative was created to combat the misconceptions surrounding substance use disorder, highlight the reality of recovery, and ensure that individuals struggling with addiction receive support rather than judgment.
Recognizing that stigma is one of the biggest barriers to seeking help, the campaign has taken several proactive steps to foster understanding and support, including:
• Public Education & Awareness – Through community outreach, events, and personal stories, the campaign works to dispel myths about addiction and promote the importance of treatment and recovery.
•Advocacy & Resources – By providing access to critical services, including treatment programs and recovery support, the campaign ensures individuals and families have the help they need.
•Community Engagement – Working with local organizations, schools, and businesses, the initiative spreads awareness and encourages open discussions about addiction and mental health.
•Breaking Barriers to Treatment – Through partnerships and funding efforts, the campaign supports initiatives that remove financial and social obstacles to addiction recovery.
Addiction is a disease, not a choice, and recovery is possible for everyone. By fostering a compassionate and informed community, Camden County continues to take meaningful action to break the stigma and support those on their journey to recovery.
What is stigma and why does it matter?
Addiction is one of the most stigmatized health conditions, preventing individuals from seeking help and isolating families who fear judgment. Over 20 million people in the U.S. struggle with substance use disorders, yet nearly half of Americans don’t recognize addiction as a disease.
Recent research shows that over 80% of Americans are unwilling to associate with those suffering from a substance use disorder. Stigma leads to discrimination in healthcare, employment, housing, and more; and misconceptions about addiction being a moral failing reinforce these barriers.
Stigma doesn’t just affect individuals with addiction; it isolates families and perpetuates harmful stereotypes in society. People struggling with substance use disorders often face: Judgment from peers, which discourages open conversations about their challenges, and discrimination in workplaces and healthcare settings, limiting opportunities for recovery and success.
Understanding the root causes of stigma—such as fear, misinformation, and societal bias—is critical in dismantling it. By fostering empathy, education, and inclusivity, we can transform the way addiction is perceived and treated.
The numbers behind the crisis
In recent years, Camden County has made significant strides in combating the opioid epidemic. According to the NJ ROIC-Drug Monitoring Initiative, from January to July 2024, the county experienced a 39% decrease in overdose deaths compared to the same period in the previous year. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in Naloxone (Narcan) administrations, with 511 instances in the first half of 2024, down from 851 during the same timeframe in 2023.
According to the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, there were 206 suspected drug deaths in Camden County from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2024, compared to 327 during the same time period in 2023.
“The progress that we have made over the past year in Camden County when it comes to overdose and addiction is incredible,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “We have continually seen overdose deaths plummet, which just goes to show that all our investment into public health and harm reduction resources is paying off. But as always, we are not done yet. We will continue this fight until no life is lost to overdose ever again.”
Provided Courtesy/Camden County
Camden County Board of Commissioners Director Louis Cappelli, Jr.
These improvements are a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Camden County Board of Commissioners, the Addiction Awareness Task Force (AATF), healthcare providers, law enforcement, community organizations, and the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, including the Office of Mental Health and Addiction (OMHA). Their ongoing initiatives have been crucial in connecting residents with treatment options, harm reduction resources, and life-saving interventions.
“When we look at the decline in fatal overdoses, we must recognize these percentages and statistics aren’t just numbers – these are actual lives saved,” said Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay. “These are members of our community with friends and loved ones who care about them. We must continue to partner with public and private entities to drive the number of fatal overdoses toward zero.”
However, despite these advancements, the mission remains incomplete. Stigma continues to be a significant barrier, preventing many individuals from seeking the help they need. The Break the Stigma campaign is dedicated to changing perceptions of addiction, fostering understanding, and creating a supportive environment where recovery is possible for everyone.
To effectively combat the stigma surrounding addiction, it’s crucial to understand the impact of our words and actions. Stigmatizing language and behaviors can deter individuals from seeking help and perpetuate misconceptions about substance use disorders.
Here’s how you can contribute to ending this stigma:
• Use first person language • Educate yourself and others • Share Camden County resources • Challenge stereotypes • Support policy changes
Break the Stigma campaign Spokersperson: Zac Clark
Zac Clark, a speaker at Camden County’s Remembrance and Hope Memorial in 2023 and a dedicated advocate for our Break the Stigma Campaign, is committed to raising awareness about mental health and addiction. In 2020, he gained widespread recognition after openly sharing his journey of addiction and recovery on ABC’s The Bachelorette. Since then, he has used his platform to inspire hope and break the stigma surrounding substance use disorder, particularly among young people.
Zac’s battle with addiction began after he was prescribed opioids following the removal of a brain tumor. Over time, his substance use escalated, leaving him alone and struggling on the streets of Camden. In one of his darkest moments, he attempted to cash a stolen check at a PNC Bank, where he met a guardian angel—bank teller Ronda Jackson. Instead of calling the police or handing over the money, she contacted Zac’s father, setting off the chain of events that ultimately saved his life.
Now in long-term recovery, Zac is the founder and CEO of Release Recovery, a full-service organization providing essential recovery support. He also co-founded the Release Recovery Foundation, and serves on the Board of Trustees at Caron Treatment Centers.
Learn more about Zac Clark’s mission and how you can support his efforts through Release Recovery and the Release Recovery Foundation at https://www.releaserecoveryfoundation.org/.
Resources for recovery and support
Office of Mental Health & Addiction Services For a list of community mental health resources, click here. For a list of substance use resources, click here.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 30, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Net Training Institute, the administrative agency behind the Florida Recovery Friendly Workplace (FLRFW) initiative, has been awarded a $1 million appropriation in the 2025-2026 Florida state budget. This funding will support the creation of a Center of Excellence in partnership with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to train and certify employers statewide as Recovery Friendly Workplaces.
The new Center of Excellence will serve as a dedicated hub to expand the reach and impact of the FLRFW initiative, which aims to promote supportive and inclusive workplace environments for employees in recovery from substance use disorders. By providing specialized training and certification programs, the center will equip employers with the tools and resources needed to foster recovery-friendly policies, reduce stigma, and enhance employee well-being.
“This significant investment reflects Florida’s commitment to supporting recovery and creating healthier workplaces,” said Cheryl Brown-Merriwether, Executive Director of Net Training Institute. “Through our collaboration with the Department of Children and Families, we will empower employers across the state to become leaders in recovery-friendly practices, ultimately benefiting individuals, families, and communities.”
The expansion of the FLRFW initiative aligns with Florida’s broader public health goals and workforce development efforts. Employers certified under the program will demonstrate their dedication to supporting employees in recovery, which research shows can lead to higher retention rates, improved productivity, and a more positive workplace culture. The Center of Excellence will also facilitate ongoing research, best practices sharing, and community engagement to continuously improve the initiative.
Net Training Institute looks forward to working closely with the Department of Children and Families and other stakeholders to implement this critical program and help Florida build a stronger, healthier workforce.
About Net Training Institute
Net Training Institute is a leading organization dedicated to workforce development and recovery support initiatives in Florida. As the administrative agency for the Florida Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative, Net Training Institute works to create inclusive environments that help individuals in recovery succeed in the workplace. For more information, visit www.netinstitute.org.
What if the very hormone designed to help you survive is actually the reason you’re struggling to thrive?
My mother relentlessly saved and sacrificed so that she could enjoy her life in retirement. But two years into retirement, she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.
Here’s what I’ve learned since becoming a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner: she didn’t just “get” Alzheimer’s two years after retirement. It was building and building for years before that. She was making it worse with lifestyle choices: the over-exercising that women in their 40s and 50s often do, eating trans fats during the low-fat craze of the 80s and 90s.
Had I known what I know now, her outcome might have been different.
This is why I’m passionate about functional health. This is why thousands of practitioners are learning to identify and address the root causes of dysfunction before they become disease. If we can reach people in that gray space (when things are out of balance but before they become diagnosable conditions), we can change their trajectory. We can save lives.
As functional health practitioners, we see it every day: clients who’ve tried everything, followed every protocol, cleaned up their diet, and taken all the right supplements, yet they’re still stuck in that frustrating place of “I’m okay, but I’m not great.”
The missing piece? Understanding cortisol and its profound impact on every system in the body.
If you’ve ever wondered why some clients get amazing results while others plateau, or why you yourself might be experiencing symptoms that doctors dismiss as “normal aging,” this deep dive into cortisol will change everything.
What Is Wellness, Really?
Before we dive into cortisol, let’s get clear on what we’re actually working toward. At FDN, we don’t believe in “fine” or “okay.” We believe in abundant vitality.
Picture this as a spectrum:
The Right Side (The Medical Model): Symptoms → Sickness → Disease → Death
The Middle (Neutral Health): No symptoms, but no energy either. This is the “I’m fine, I guess” zone where most people live.
The Left Side (True Wellness): High energy, optimal function, metabolic fire, abundant vitality, joy for life.
Here’s the thing: neutral health equals a neutral life. When you’re operating from “I’m okay, I don’t have any complaints,” you’re not building empires, writing books, raising joyful kids, or showing up as your best self in relationships.
Good health, abundant vitality, is your birthright. It’s not just for the lucky few.
The Body’s Incredible Healing Power (And What’s Limiting It)
Your body is a self-healing machine. You know this because when you get a cut, it heals. When you break a bone, it mends. When you catch a cold, you recover.
But this healing ability isn’t infinite. If it were, we’d never age or die.
So what’s the difference between what your body can heal and what it can’t?
It’s a savings versus spending problem.
Think of your body as having a bank account called “Vital Reserve.” This is your innate intelligence: your body’s natural ability to function at 100% and fix imbalances before they become problems.
Where do you spend this precious currency? On your environment.
This has always been the case. Our paleolithic ancestors spent their Vital Reserve on not knowing if food would be available, dealing with harsh weather, avoiding predators, and navigating tribal conflicts.
Today? We spend it on mental-emotional stress, environmental toxins, and poor lifestyle habits that are constantly draining our account.
The main spender of Vital Reserve is stress.
The Modern Stress Problem: It’s Not What You Think
When most people think of stress, they picture this: work deadlines, traffic, relationship conflicts, financial pressure. And yes, these mental-emotional stressors are huge.
But there are two other categories most people completely miss:
Physical Stressors:
Sitting too long
Blue light exposure from screens
Too much coffee
Not exercising enough (or exercising too much)
Needing wine to fall asleep
Poor sleep quality
Environmental Stressors:
Depleted soils
EMF exposure
Chemicals in food, water, and air
Toxins our paleolithic ancestors never encountered
Plus, there’s the existential stress of modern life: What’s my purpose? How do I make my life meaningful when I’ll likely be forgotten in 100 years?
All of these are constantly withdrawing from your Vital Reserve account.
Meet Cortisol: Your Body’s “Energy on Credit” System
Cortisol is your primary stress hormone, and it’s actually designed to help you survive. When your environment throws stressors at you, cortisol says, “We need to put internal spending on hold and take all available resources to deal with this external threat.”
Cortisol breaks the body down for quick energy. We call this “catabolic.”
Why would your body have a mechanism for breaking itself down? Because sometimes you need energy RIGHT NOW. When your boss says, “This project is actually due in 30 minutes,” you can’t drive to the store, buy food, cook it, eat it, digest it, and then produce energy. You need quick fuel immediately.
So cortisol reaches for easy-to-break-down tissues like cartilage, tendons, connective tissue, and muscle, converting them to blood sugar.
Here’s the kicker: Cortisol is also a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory. It masks the damage it’s doing, which is why it makes you feel amazing in the moment: clear thinking, quick reactions, pain-free movement.
Think of cortisol as your body’s credit card. You’re borrowing energy now and promising to pay it back later through rest, recovery, and healing.
When “Energy on Credit” Becomes a Problem
Throughout history, humans dealt with stress that was intense but occasional and short-lived. A wild animal attack, a natural disaster, a tribal conflict: these were serious but temporary.
Take a moment to think about this: Does this describe the stress in your life?
For most of us, stress is intense, constant, and never-ending. We wake up stressed, work stressed, drive home stressed, and lie in bed stressed about tomorrow’s stress.
This creates what we call “catabolic debt”: you’re constantly running up charges on your cortisol credit card without ever paying it back.
Chronic stress is not within our biological design.
Consider this: Anthropological studies show paleolithic humans worked only 15-20 hours per week. How many of you work only 15-20 hours per week? (And remember, “work” includes housework, childcare, and all the other responsibilities that don’t stop when you leave the office.)
They lived in close communities with cooperative resource sharing and had each other’s backs. Think about your own life: Do you know your neighbors? If you do, would they really have your back if things got serious?
Most of us are duplicating resources instead of sharing them. We’re all figuring out our own childcare, making our own meals, maintaining our own everything. There’s no interdependence, no shared load.
The cost of modern life is enormous:
70-80% of doctor visits are for stress-related illnesses
People with high anxiety are 4-5 times more likely to die from heart attack or stroke
Stress contributes to 50% of all illnesses
The Stress Response Curve: Your Roadmap to Understanding Where You Are
This is where it gets really interesting. Understanding this curve will change how you see your health (and your clients’ health) forever.
We all start in the green zone: Homeostasis. When you experience occasional stressors, cortisol and adrenaline spike, you handle the situation, then return to baseline to rest and repair.
But when stress becomes chronic, you move into the orange zone: Acute Stress. You’re constantly producing cortisol and adrenaline, never returning to homeostasis.
Here’s the thing: on your way up this curve, you feel AMAZING. Remember when you could pull all-nighters and still ace exams? When you could eat junk food without consequences? When you had laser focus for 12-16 hours straight?
That’s the acute phase. You’re running on cortisol, and it feels like superpowers.
Then you hit Peak Production. Your body says, “We’ve put way too much on the cortisol credit card. We have to cut back.”
Now you fall into the Compensatory Phase. Your cortisol numbers might look normal to a doctor, but the distribution is all wrong. Maybe you have too much in the morning and crash by afternoon, or you spike at night and can’t sleep.
Plus, you have a relativity problem. You’re used to feeling like Superman from the acute phase, so normal cortisol levels feel terrible by comparison.
Continue down this path, and you reach the Exhaustive Phase. Like a phone on low battery mode, everything still works but at 30% capacity and not for long. You’re devoting everything to just getting through the day.
The Hidden Cost: What Happens to Your Body’s Core Systems
At FDN, we focus on six foundational systems that chronic stress systematically shuts down. We call them the H-I-D-D-E-N systems, and understanding what happens to each one under chronic stress is crucial for practitioners:
H – Hormones DHEA is your anabolic hormone: the one responsible for building you back up after cortisol breaks you down. This is how you pay off your cortisol credit card. But when stress is constant, DHEA steps back and says, “I’ll come back when it’s safe to focus internally, but right now we need to keep spending on the environment.” DHEA becomes chronically low, which means your healing potential becomes chronically low.
Then sex hormones get the message: “We don’t have enough resources to fund fertility right now.” Sex hormones plummet, taking motivation and joy for life with them. This is when you get to that neutral state where you’re thinking, “I have dreams I want to pursue, but it’s just too much effort. I’ll just watch Netflix instead.”
I – Immune Your immune system is expensive to run. Under chronic stress, it says, “I cost a ton of money, so I’m going to operate at 30% capacity and not for very long.” Now you’re getting sick often, it takes forever to heal, you can’t shake that cough, and if anyone around you is sick, you know you’re going down.
D – Digestion Digestion costs a lot of energy to function properly. When you’re spending everything on stress, digestion goes into low-power mode. Now you’re only digesting at 30% capacity. Even if you’re eating the cleanest diet in the world, you can’t use it. You’re not getting the building blocks to repair or the nutrients your body needs to power metabolic functions at full capacity.
D – Detoxification Detoxification is another huge system that’s expensive to run. When your body’s bank account is overdrawn from cortisol debt, detox says, “I don’t have enough money to find these toxins, bind them up, and effectively remove them. So I’ll put them in storage instead.” Your body shoves toxins into fat cells, brain tissue, and bones, creating a toxic backlog that makes you feel slow, gives you acne, throws off digestion, and impairs hormone production.
E – Energy Production Your mitochondria can’t function optimally when all resources are diverted to stress response. This leads to that “tired but wired” feeling where you’re exhausted but can’t actually rest.
N – Nervous System Sleep, mood, and cognitive function all suffer. This is where we see the brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, and depression that so many people struggle with.
The fundamental principle of FDN: These systems don’t operate in isolation. You can’t just say, “Oh, you have classic hormone symptoms, so let’s run a hormone test.” You miss immunity, digestion, detoxification: all the other systems contributing to what we call “Metabolic Chaos.”
This is why the “take this supplement for that symptom” approach rarely works long-term. You’re not dealing with isolated problems: you’re dealing with systemic dysfunction where multiple systems are compromised simultaneously.
Real-Life Case Studies: The Stress Curve in Action
Let’s look at three real clients to see how this plays out. As FDN practitioners, we use what we call “clinical correlation,” which means we never look at lab numbers in isolation. We always consider how someone feels alongside their test results.
Case Study 1: Adam – The Acute Phase Crash
Profile: 35-year-old male, broker at a mid-size investment firm, former athlete still crushing CrossFit workouts
Symptoms: Weight gain, trouble concentrating, loss of muscle mass despite rigorous workouts, headaches
Doctor’s Assessment: “Your results are unremarkable. This is normal aging.”
Lab Results:
Cortisol sum: 9 (acute phase)
Four-point pattern: Way too high in morning, drops low at noon, crashes severely in afternoon, bounces back up at night
The Reality: How do we know Adam isn’t on the left side of the stress curve going up into acute phase? His symptoms tell us everything. If he were on the way up, he’d feel amazing and wouldn’t be in our office. Instead, he’s on the right side coming down from peak production.
His cortisol pattern explains everything: sky-high morning cortisol makes him feel wired and anxious, the afternoon crash leaves him unable to concentrate (not ideal for an investment broker), and the nighttime spike disrupts his sleep.
Even though his DHEA looks “normal,” when we compare it to his cortisol level of 9, he’s clearly catabolic dominant. He’s breaking down faster than he’s building up, which explains why his intense CrossFit sessions aren’t building muscle: they’re just adding more stress to an already overloaded system.
The Reality: Caitlyn’s cortisol sum looks normal, but the distribution is completely dysfunctional. She can barely drag herself out of bed in the morning, crashes hard in the afternoon (imagine trying to accurately record legal proceedings when your cortisol is plummeting), and lies awake at night because her cortisol spikes just when it should be lowest.
She also has a relativity problem. When she was in the acute phase, she felt like Superman. Now that she’s in compensatory with “normal” cortisol levels, she feels terrible by comparison. Her DHEA is low, confirming she’s still in catabolic debt despite the lower cortisol numbers.
Case Study 3: Maggie – The Exhaustive Phase Crisis
Profile: 43-year-old chef at a popular five-star restaurant, diagnosed with hypothyroid
Symptoms: Weight gain in hips and belly, trouble keeping up at work, depression, irregular menstrual cycle
Lifestyle: Working 60+ hours per week, consistently sleeping only 5 hours per night
Medical Status: Seeing a counselor, considering antidepressant medication
Lab Results:
Cortisol sum: 3.1 (exhaustive phase)
Four-point pattern: Way too low in morning, drops low at noon, slight bounce in afternoon, drops again at night
DHEA: Very low
Clinical correlation: Still catabolic dominant despite low cortisol
The Reality: Maggie’s body is operating like a phone on low battery mode: everything still works, but at 30% capacity and not for long. Her thyroid has downregulated because there’s literally not enough energy in the system to maintain normal function.
The depression isn’t just psychological: it’s physiological. Her body can’t afford to fund optimal brain function. Even though her cortisol is very low and her DHEA is very low, she’s still cortisol dominant and in catabolic debt.
This is why understanding the stress curve is so crucial. Three people, three different phases, three different approaches needed.
The Path Forward: Why Understanding Cortisol Changes Everything
Here’s why this matters for you as a health practitioner:
1. It explains why some clients plateau. If you’re not addressing the stress component, you’ll hit a ceiling on healing no matter how perfect the diet or supplement protocol.
2. It validates your clients’ experiences. When someone says, “I used to be able to handle so much more,” or “I don’t feel like myself anymore,” you now understand the physiology behind it.
3. It gives you a roadmap for intervention. Different phases require different approaches. Someone in the acute phase needs different support than someone in the exhaustive phase.
4. It highlights the importance of comprehensive testing. A single cortisol measurement tells you almost nothing. You need the full pattern plus clinical correlation.
The FDN Approach: Test, Don’t Guess
At FDN, we don’t just talk about stress: we measure it. We use what we call “clinical correlation,” which means we never look at lab numbers in isolation. We always consider how someone feels alongside their test results.
We look at:
Four-point cortisol patterns throughout the day (not just a single measurement)
DHEA levels and the cortisol-to-DHEA ratio
How stress is affecting all the H-I-D-D-E-N systems
The complete picture of metabolic chaos
Progress tracking with tools like the Metabolic Chaos Scorecard
Then we address it systematically through our DRESS protocol:
D – Diet: Personalized nutrition based on lab findings, not generic “healthy eating” advice
R – Rest: Sleep optimization and recovery strategies tailored to your stress phase
E – Exercise: Right-sized movement for your current capacity (over-exercise is just as harmful as under-exercise)
S – Stress Reduction: Targeted techniques for your specific stressors: mental/emotional, physical, environmental, and lifestyle factors
S – Supplementation: Targeted support based on actual lab results, not guesswork
This isn’t about generic protocols. It’s about understanding exactly where someone is on the stress curve and what their body needs to heal.
Key Takeaways for Health Practitioners
Cortisol isn’t the enemy. A lot of people talk about cortisol as if it’s the villain—commercials make it sound like cortisol just makes you “old and fat.” That’s not what cortisol does. Cortisol is a vital hormone for navigating stress. The problem is chronic stress disrupting its natural rhythm.
Understanding the stress curve is diagnostic gold. It explains why clients feel the way they do and gives you a framework for intervention. Different phases require different approaches.
Clinical correlation is everything. You can’t just look at lab numbers in isolation. A cortisol sum of 5 might be “normal” to a doctor, but if your client feels terrible and the distribution is dysregulated, that tells you the real story.
You can’t ignore stress and expect lasting results. No matter how perfect your diet protocol or how targeted your supplements, chronic stress will cap healing potential. There’s a ceiling you’ll never break through if you don’t address the stress component.
The body’s systems are interconnected. You can’t just “fix hormones” without addressing how stress is affecting immunity, digestion, detoxification, and all the other H-I-D-D-E-N systems. This is why comprehensive testing and systematic protocols are crucial.
Metabolic Chaos requires a systematic approach. When multiple systems are compromised simultaneously, you need a framework like DRESS that addresses all aspects of healing, not just isolated symptoms.
Your Next Steps
If you’re ready to master functional lab testing and learn how to identify and address cortisol dysregulation in your practice, FDN provides the training, community, and ongoing support you need.
Because here’s the truth: your clients deserve more than “fine.” They deserve abundant vitality. And you deserve the confidence that comes from knowing exactly how to help them achieve it.
When you understand cortisol (really understand it), you hold the key to unlocking transformation for every client who walks through your door.
Ready to become the practitioner who always knows what to do next?
The answer lies in data-driven functional health. The answer lies in understanding that robust health isn’t just about the absence of symptoms: it’s about the presence of vitality.
And it starts with the hormone you can’t ignore: cortisol.
Want to learn more about becoming a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner?
Discover how our comprehensive training program gives you the tools to master cortisol testing, interpretation, and protocols that get results. Because when you know how to test, you never have to guess. View an indepth case study here.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will visit hurricane-ravaged areas in the Southeast Wednesday to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts and funding.Biden will travel to North and South Carolina, while Harris will head to Georgia.On Tuesday, Biden directed “every available resource” to rescue and recovery efforts and has committed to helping devastated communities, saying he is prepared to ask Congress for more emergency relief funding.”We have to jump-start this recovery process. People are scared to death. People wonder whether they’re going to make it. We still haven’t heard from a whole lot of people,” Biden said. “This is urgent. People have to know how to get the information they need. So, we’ll be there until this work is done.”Biden says he has been in constant contact with state and local officials and is urging people to apply for federal assistance, including basics like food and water and for funds to help with repairing homes.More than 4,500 federal workers, including 1,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are deployed across the Southeast. Many are working to distribute millions of meals and water, thousands of tarps, and over a hundred generators, while rescue teams hope to help those who remain trapped.Biden and Harris emphasized the timing of their trips, saying they must ensure they do not detract from ongoing rescue and recovery.The White House suggested an earlier visit, like former President Donald Trump’s trip to Georgia on Monday, could take away from resources needed for hurricane victims.During that trip, Trump falsely accused Biden of “sleeping” at his beach house, ignoring the disaster and purposely neglecting Republican states and storm victims. He also falsely stated Biden did not respond to calls for help from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.Kemp and Biden had already spoken a day earlier. Kemp and other Republican leaders also said their states were getting everything they need.Wednesday’s trip to Georgia may also present a political opportunity for Harris — a chance to show empathy in the midst of a humanitarian crisis as she campaigns for president.Harris says she also plans to visit North Carolina in the coming days.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will visit hurricane-ravaged areas in the Southeast Wednesday to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts and funding.
Biden will travel to North and South Carolina, while Harris will head to Georgia.
On Tuesday, Biden directed “every available resource” to rescue and recovery efforts and has committed to helping devastated communities, saying he is prepared to ask Congress for more emergency relief funding.
“We have to jump-start this recovery process. People are scared to death. People wonder whether they’re going to make it. We still haven’t heard from a whole lot of people,” Biden said. “This is urgent. People have to know how to get the information they need. So, we’ll be there until this work is done.”
Biden says he has been in constant contact with state and local officials and is urging people to apply for federal assistance, including basics like food and water and for funds to help with repairing homes.
More than 4,500 federal workers, including 1,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are deployed across the Southeast. Many are working to distribute millions of meals and water, thousands of tarps, and over a hundred generators, while rescue teams hope to help those who remain trapped.
Biden and Harris emphasized the timing of their trips, saying they must ensure they do not detract from ongoing rescue and recovery.
The White House suggested an earlier visit, like former President Donald Trump’s trip to Georgia on Monday, could take away from resources needed for hurricane victims.
During that trip, Trump falsely accused Biden of “sleeping” at his beach house, ignoring the disaster and purposely neglecting Republican states and storm victims. He also falsely stated Biden did not respond to calls for help from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
Kemp and Biden had already spoken a day earlier. Kemp and other Republican leaders also said their states were getting everything they need.
Wednesday’s trip to Georgia may also present a political opportunity for Harris — a chance to show empathy in the midst of a humanitarian crisis as she campaigns for president.
Harris says she also plans to visit North Carolina in the coming days.
TRIGGER WARNING: The following images and stories from The Addict’s Diary are graphic in nature and depict drug use, alcohol use, and addiction.
If you’re in crisis, call 988, and get help today. Providing 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works. The Lifeline helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.
Bouldering and rock climbing have exploded – can cannabis help with this hot activity?
Even 5 years ago, rock climbing and bouldering were niche activities for those with a passion. But since it has become a fun, core strengthening, urban activity and is now a multi-billion dollar industry. Cities, towns and cruise ships now have climbing gyms and the popularity as soared. North American climbing gyms alone almost reached $1 billion dollars last year, this doesn’t count outdoor, equipment and other markets. With its popularity, it blends in with other lifestyle options, so here are key tips on bouldering and marijuana.
France is was the birthplace of modern bouldering. Pierre Allain, a pioneering French climber in the mid-20th century, loved the Fontainebleau forest and was among the first to see bouldering as a unique discipline within climbing, not just a training tool. He developed climbing shoes with rubber soles, increasing climbers’ ability to grip the rock, a revolution which helped bouldering gain recognition as a legitimate sport. Around the same time in the US, a gymnast as well as a climber, John Gill approached bouldering with a focus on strength, balance, and dynamic movement. Regarded as the father of modern bouldering, he introduce the concept ‘clean climbing’ – leaving no trace on the rock – which has influenced generations of climbers to respect and protect the natural environment.
A Climbing Magazine anonymous survey of professional climbers a couple years ago, in which most said they used it for recovery while others said they sometimes climbed while using cannabis. A deeply-researched review conducted by scientists, including members of the World Anti-Doping Agency and National Institute on Drug Abuse, found that “the use of cannabis as doping will not help to gain a competitive edge by any means.” But the review also highlighted how cannabis can help athletes deal with anxiety in high-pressure situations—climbing includes plenty of high-pressure situations—and “play a major role in the extinction of fear memories” from traumatic athletic events, such as suffering a tough whipper or something more serious.
“Cannabis improves sleep and recovery after an event, reduces anxiety and fear and aids the forgetting of negative events such as bad falls and so forth,” researchers wrote. “Cannabis enhances sensory perception, decreases respiratory rate and increases heart rate; increased bronchodilation may improve oxygenation of the tissues.”
Photo by Tom Wheatley via Unsplash
Marijuana can also help you in the gym during training sessions. A University of Colorado study concluded using marijuana before exercise “increases motivation” as well as “enhances recovery from exercise.” Recovery is huge, particularly in sports brutal on the body like climbing. Professional athletes in football, basketball, hockey, fighting, and even golf have all come out in favor of using cannabis as a recovery tool, with some saying CBD is enough.
More than those other sports, though, safety is of the utmost importance while climbing. Combining marijuana and climbing should be done with serious intention and without harming belay partners or fellow climbers. An online survey conducted by Training Beta, a website dedicated to rock climbing training, explored how readers felt about the relationship between climbing and cannabis. Among 1,462 respondents, 47% said they weren’t comfortable with high belayers and 46% responded that it depended on the setting and person belaying them.
Jeremy Renner says Robert Downey Jr played a big role in his accident recovery
Updated: 10:20 AM PDT Mar 17, 2024
Marvel star Jeremy Renner has revealed that co-star Robert Downey Jr. aided him in his recovery from his accident.Renner, who plays Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was hospitalized in January 2023 following an incident with a snowplow, with the star requiring surgery after suffering 30 broken bones. The actor has spoken candidly about his recovery in the ensuing months and has now revealed that Downey Jr, his Marvel co-star who played Iron Man, regularly checked in with him during the aftermath of the accident.”We ended up having really great chats on FaceTime like we were dating or something,” Renner recalled to PEOPLE. “He’s like, ‘Dude, the most important thing is you look good. I don’t care how you feel, as long as you look good that’s all that matters.’”He’s like, ‘You’ve got to get back to do ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ because we need to see what happens.’ His ways are very heartwarming,” added Renner. Renner recently returned to work following the accident, and offered an update on his character from the MCU, revealing that he is always willing to dip his toe back into the superhero genre. “I’m always game,” he said. “I’m going to be strong enough, that’s for sure. I’ll be ready. All those guys come to my bedside and they’ve been with me all along through this recovery, so… if they want me, they could have me. It would be something.”The star also used his accident as inspiration for a new venture, with the actor turning to music to detail his experiences, explaining: “A collection of music we wrote about different milestones in my journey of recovery since Jan 1st this year.”‘Love and Titanium’ has been painful, deeply healing, and ultimately cathartic for me to create. I hope I get the courage to share with you all.”
Marvel star Jeremy Renner has revealed that co-star Robert Downey Jr. aided him in his recovery from his accident.
Renner, who plays Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was hospitalized in January 2023 following an incident with a snowplow, with the star requiring surgery after suffering 30 broken bones.
The actor has spoken candidly about his recovery in the ensuing months and has now revealed that Downey Jr, his Marvel co-star who played Iron Man, regularly checked in with him during the aftermath of the accident.
“We ended up having really great chats on FaceTime like we were dating or something,” Renner recalled to PEOPLE. “He’s like, ‘Dude, the most important thing is you look good. I don’t care how you feel, as long as you look good that’s all that matters.’
“He’s like, ‘You’ve got to get back to do ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ because we need to see what happens.’ His ways are very heartwarming,” added Renner.
Renner recently returned to work following the accident, and offered an update on his character from the MCU, revealing that he is always willing to dip his toe back into the superhero genre.
“I’m always game,” he said. “I’m going to be strong enough, that’s for sure. I’ll be ready. All those guys come to my bedside and they’ve been with me all along through this recovery, so… if they want me, they could have me. It would be something.”
The star also used his accident as inspiration for a new venture, with the actor turning to music to detail his experiences, explaining: “A collection of music we wrote about different milestones in my journey of recovery since Jan 1st this year.
“‘Love and Titanium’ has been painful, deeply healing, and ultimately cathartic for me to create. I hope I get the courage to share with you all.”
An Ohio woman gave birth and then, within the hour, was in a coma. Ashley Zinn was given just a 30% chance to live after being diagnosed with an amniotic fluid embolism. Most new moms will tell you the first few weeks of motherhood are a blur. For Ashley, it’s not even a memory.“I remember telling the staff I’m dying,” Ashley said.Just 15 minutes after delivering her son, Parker, Ashley began experiencing chest pain.“The last thing I remember after that was being hauled away to CT,” Ashley said.She was placed into a medically induced coma and diagnosed with amniotic fluid embolism, which is a rare delivery complication.“Someone finally came back and told us that her vitals were continuously dropping on the ventilator and basically told us we need to put her on life-support or she’s not going to make it tonight,” Ashley’s husband, Alex, said.Doctors gave Ashley just a 30% chance to live.“She was within minutes to hours of dying,” said Dr. Debbie Rohner, medical director of the cardiovascular ICU at Bethesda North Hospital. “Her lungs failed, her heart failed, her kidney failed, her liver failed, and her blood system failed.”Alex was pulled between looking after their new son and staying bedside next to his wife in the ICU.“It was definitely a really hard balance between being there for him and being there for Ashley,” Alex said. “I knew that time that she needed me more.”Slowly, Ashley began to make progress. Her newborn was also by her side. She is expected to make a full recovery. Doctors say it’s a miracle.“I thank God every day for giving us another day together,” Alex said. “You don’t really realize how short life is in a blink of an eye.”Ashley remembers those first moments she awoke and was reunited with baby, Parker.“I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I just went through all this, and he looks just like my husband,’” Ashley said.While the first month as a new family of three hasn’t looked as expected, Ashley says it’s even sweeter.“I would go through it all over again for him,” Ashley said. “I wanted to be a mother ever since I was a little girl.”A GoFundMe has been started to support Ashley’s recovery. To donate, click here.
An Ohio woman gave birth and then, within the hour, was in a coma. Ashley Zinn was given just a 30% chance to live after being diagnosed with an amniotic fluid embolism.
Most new moms will tell you the first few weeks of motherhood are a blur. For Ashley, it’s not even a memory.
“I remember telling the staff I’m dying,” Ashley said.
Just 15 minutes after delivering her son, Parker, Ashley began experiencing chest pain.
“The last thing I remember after that was being hauled away to CT,” Ashley said.
She was placed into a medically induced coma and diagnosed with amniotic fluid embolism, which is a rare delivery complication.
“Someone finally came back and told us that her vitals were continuously dropping on the ventilator and basically told us we need to put her on life-support or she’s not going to make it tonight,” Ashley’s husband, Alex, said.
Doctors gave Ashley just a 30% chance to live.
“She was within minutes to hours of dying,” said Dr. Debbie Rohner, medical director of the cardiovascular ICU at Bethesda North Hospital. “Her lungs failed, her heart failed, her kidney failed, her liver failed, and her blood system failed.”
Alex was pulled between looking after their new son and staying bedside next to his wife in the ICU.
“It was definitely a really hard balance between being there for him and being there for Ashley,” Alex said. “I knew that time that she needed me more.”
Slowly, Ashley began to make progress. Her newborn was also by her side. She is expected to make a full recovery. Doctors say it’s a miracle.
“I thank God every day for giving us another day together,” Alex said. “You don’t really realize how short life is in a blink of an eye.”
Ashley remembers those first moments she awoke and was reunited with baby, Parker.
“I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I just went through all this, and he looks just like my husband,’” Ashley said.
While the first month as a new family of three hasn’t looked as expected, Ashley says it’s even sweeter.
“I would go through it all over again for him,” Ashley said. “I wanted to be a mother ever since I was a little girl.”
A GoFundMe has been started to support Ashley’s recovery. To donate, click here.
The old go to for a strain or injury is ice or cold compress. Pulling a bag of frozen peas from the fridge is a go to and provides some relief. It’s usually most effective shortly after the injury This involves an ice pack or ice compress placed on the affected area, designed to reduce inflammation and numb out any pain while reducing swelling. Exposure to the cold has been known to decrease circulation and constrict the blood vessels.
But maybe you should open your mindset. Should you use cannabis instead of ice for injuries? Or maybe additionally? Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive component of marijuana, may be more effective (and practical) for treating sprains and injuries. CBD is can be convenient since you can carry topicals for spot treatment as well as oral CBD products for when you have an accident. It also has the added benefit of being free from THC, which is an advantage for athletes.
Photo by peterschreiber.media/Getty Images
Sports injuries can also happen when running or jumping on hard surfaces, wearing improper shoes, doing the wrong exercise techniques, poor flexibility, old injuries, or doing the same sport all year round among others. Add in activities like running, skiing, snowboarding and more, you have a recipes for at least one muscle issue.
A sprain or injury is a major inconvenience every time it happens. Whether you are an athlete or not, recovery and healing as soon as possible is critical, not to mention painful. Using topical CBD for pain relief and for fighting inflammation is a better option because it activates the endocannabinoid receptors in the affected area to help control stiffness and pain. In addition, CBD interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors that can reduce the inflammation and pain caused by irritations and sports injuries.
“Sports injuries most often involve either significant inflammation response or mild micro-traumas,” Dr. Andrew Kerklaan of Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics shared. “Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory potential, it may be useful in a myriad of symptoms — from mild everyday aches and pains to minor injuries.” He also explains that CBD can help individuals recover from common injuries caused by exercise. “These will all trigger inflammatory responses and therefore CBD may have potential to help in the recovery process,” he says.
There are dozens of studies too, which tout the analgesic benefits of cananbis and CBD. One study revealed CBD is beneficial for chronic pain while improving inflammation and sleep. In a another published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology, researchers discovered that CBD was effective in treating inflammation, reducing pain, and improving mobility in individuals with multiple sclerosis. “It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiemetic, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective,” wrote the study authors.
Topical products act faster than edibles. However, for those in serious pain, tinctures and sublingual drops are recommended since they are the quickest of all consumption methods.
This article was originally published on Clean Eating.
Supporting your activity with nutritious foods is essential for performance, recovery, and results. Protein, fats, and carbohydrates are the three macronutrients that play crucial roles. But carbohydrates are especially important; they’re your body’s primary fuel source, providing the energy to power through your training, replenishing lost energy stores and boosting muscle repair.
Why Carbohydrates Matter When You’re Working Out
Your carbohydrate needs depend on the type, intensity, and duration of your training, body size and composition, and personal goals. Some carbs are high in fiber and nutrients that support long-term energy and balance blood sugar. Others are faster absorbing and give your body a quick boost of glycogen, which supports muscle growth and repair.
What’s glycogen? It’s made from glucose molecules bound together in long chains, and it’s the stored form of glucose in the body, reserved in your muscles and liver. When you exercise, your body uses up your glycogen stores to provide quick fuel to power your activity. Muscle glycogen is used chiefly by your muscles to produce force while you lift weights, run, bike, or perform other actions. Liver glycogen is used throughout your body as needed and powers your brain and spinal cord.
Replenishing your glycogen stores with carbohydrates boosts muscle protein synthesis, vital for muscle growth. When you eat carbs, your insulin levels will spike, which is a good thing after a strenuous workout. Insulin acts like a delivery worker, transporting nutrients into your cells—that means your carbs will reduce muscle soreness and inflammation from training, allowing you to get back in the gym and perform again.
How to Choose the Best Carbs for You
The number one way to choose a post-workout carb? Decide what you like best! Enjoying your food helps you build healthy habits and stick to them. If you usually don’t eat a lot of natural sugars, after a workout is a fantastic time to add those into your diet. They will boost your recovery and can increase muscle if that’s your goal.
Starches and fiber are also essential components of carbs that support gut health and keep you feeling satisfied with your meals. If you’ve had a very strenuous or prolonged training session or your goal is to build muscle, choosing high glycemic carbs to eat post-workout is wise. Be sure to include high fiber, slow-digesting carbs for the rest of your meals to improve heart health and digestion, balance weight, and boost meal satiety.
The Best Carbs to Eat After a Workout
Once you’ve hit the gym or worked up a sweat, your body is especially primed to accept nutrients that will go to work repairing tissues. While this “window” may be open for up to 48 hours, the first 2 hours after your training are particularly optimal for packing in your post-workout carbs for the best results.
Here are the best carbs to choose for all of your post-workout needs.
1. Breads
Both whole and refined grain bread products are smart post-workout carb options. Breads are high on the glycemic index, which measures how quickly your blood glucose levels will spike after eating certain foods. Foods with a GI score under 55 are low GI, while foods higher than 70 are considered high GI.
While many people, especially those with diabetes or who are sedentary, may do best eating low GI foods, choosing ones higher on the list will provide that shot of glucose that helps initiate muscle protein synthesis and tissue repair.
Whole grain options, while lower GI, provide essential nutrients that can boost recovery, such as manganese, selenium, calcium, and thiamine.
2. Pancakes and Waffles
Pancakes and waffles make excellent tasty post-workout meals. These flour-based breakfast favorites will increase your blood sugar and are conduits for other healthy foods such as fruit, protein powder, and yogurt.
A post-workout protein pancake made with wheat or oat flour and topped with fresh fruit is a delicious nutrient-dense way to support muscle growth and tissue repair. You can make your own or use a healthy pancake mix. If you’re gluten-free, try making cassava flour waffles.
3. Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are a popular food for bodybuilders because they’re low-calorie, carbohydrate-dense foods that come in many flavors and can be paired with other foods for a tasty post-workout snack. They range from about 60 to 90 on the glycemic index. Top them with fresh fruit, jam, honey, or Greek yogurt.
4. Crackers
Crackers such as stoned wheat thins and rye crispbread are tasty snack-sized post-workout carbs that can help replenish your glycogen stores. Adding high-protein foods as toppings will boost muscle protein synthesis, with insulin helping to shuttle the protein into your muscle cells. Try crackers topped with chicken, chickpeas, tuna, boiled eggs, or bean dip.
5. Cereal
Breakfast cereal is often thought of as sugar-laden and devoid of nutrients, but it can be a part of a healthy diet. Cereal is affordable and nutritious, especially since it’s fortified with many essential nutrients like folate and iron.
Skip the trendy high protein and fiber cereals since getting these nutrients from whole foods is a more affordable and practical option, and instead, stick to tried and true whole grain cereals for your post-workout carbs. Try puffed wheat, shredded wheat, and brown puffed rice cereal.
6. Cream of Wheat
Cream of wheat is a high-GI food made from finely processed farina wheat. It contains a bevy of vital nutrients to support recovery after a workout, including iron and several B vitamins. Top your cream of wheat with milk, such as filtered high protein varieties and fresh fruit for even more post-workout support.
7. Oatmeal
Versatile, comforting, and easy to prepare, oatmeal is one of the best carb-based breakfast foods enjoyed post-workout. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, and selenium while high in fiber and protein.
Try adding fruit, maple syrup, honey, nuts, and greek yogurt to your oatmeal for a nutrient-dense post-workout treat.
8. Rice
Rice is a popular grain for a good reason. It’s a staple food worldwide, providing carbs, fiber, and nutrients like iron, thiamin, and manganese. White rice is a high GI food at 70, while brown rice has more fiber and nutrients than white and is only slightly lower on the glycemic index at 68.
Both white and brown rice contain magnesium, an essential nutrient for supporting muscles, nerves, and bones. Magnesium helps boost muscle relaxation post-workout and is an electrolyte lost in sweat during intense or prolonged exercise, making it important to replenish post-workout.
9. Millet
Millet is a grain that’s less commonly consumed than rice, but it’s worth adding to your post-workout meal. It’s a high GI gluten-free grain that’s relatively high in protein, adding to its appeal as an after-training food. Like rice, it contains magnesium and manganese – and millet pairs well with seafood, in salads, and as a base for grain bowls.
10. Pasta
Pasta or noodles made from wheat, rice, corn, cassava, or other grains is fantastic to have on hand for a post-workout meal. Adding protein and veggies to pasta or noodle-based dishes is easy with endless options and flavor combinations.
11. Ripe Bananas
Ripe bananas provide a quick source of easily digested carbs after your workout, along with essential vitamins and minerals to support electrolyte balance and muscle repair. These include potassium and magnesium. Unlike green or barely ripe bananas, the ripe or overripe fruit’s sugar content is faster to absorb and get to work replenishing your glycogen stores.
12. Melons
Packed with vitamins A and C and potassium, cantaloupe is a hydrating and refreshing fruit perfect after a workout. It’s high on the glycemic index at around 65 to 70. Try it paired with savory ingredients like zucchini and ham or in a smoothie with mint. Watermelon is another delicious water-packed melon that packs a nutrient punch with lycopene, vitamin C, and vitamin A. This summertime favorite is high GI at 76, with half of the sugar coming from fructose, one-quarter glucose, and less than one quarter from sucrose.
13. Mango
Super flavorful mango is so versatile as a post-workout carb. You can eat it out of hand, in a smoothie, tossed into a chicken salad, made into ice pops, or as a sweet element in a curry. Packed with carbohydrates, vitamins A, E, and C, it also helps to reduce inflammation that can cause muscle soreness after a strenuous workout.
14. Potatoes
Fluffy, comforting white and sweet potatoes are perfect post-workout carbs. They’re starchy and nutrient-dense with more potassium than bananas, vitamin B6, and magnesium and can be eaten any time of day. Research shows that potatoes are as good as energy gels at supporting energy levels for your workouts. Exercise scientists agree that potatoes are a solid choice as a whole food carb source for a post-workout meal.
15. Beets
This sweet root vegetable is an all-around star for supporting your training. Beets have been studied for their ability to support endurance workouts by increasing cardiorespiratory performance. As a post-workout carb, beets are high in natural sugars and inflammation-fighting phytonutrients. Research shows beets can help aid muscle recovery and reduce pain after intense exercise like sprinting.
Bitcoin (BTC) ATMs have become both convenient and worrying, with scammers taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. Authorities in the US and other jurisdictions are now waging a war against crypto-ATM-based scams.
California takes a stance on new cryptocurrency laws
The state of California has introduced rules for cryptocurrency transactions. Senate Bill 401, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, means you can only make $1,000 worth of cryptocurrency transactions at ATMs each day, and starting in 2025, the maximum they can charge you is $5, or 15% of the transaction. Whichever is higher.
Initially, some Bitcoin ATMs allowed up to $50,000 in transactions with fees ranging between 12% and 25% above the value of the digital asset. These changes are intended to protect people from scams and high fees, explained Sen. Monique Lemon, one of the co-authors.
Scammers taking advantage of the convenience of Bitcoin ATMs have been a growing concern, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that more than 46,000 people have lost more than $1 billion to cryptocurrency scams since 2021. New transaction limits give victims more time to spot scams before loss of money. But Charles Bell of the Blockchain Advocacy Coalition worries that these rules could hurt the cryptocurrency industry and small businesses.
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FBI Alerts About Bitcoin ATM and QR Code Scams
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has raised the alarm about fraudulent schemes exploiting ATMs for cryptocurrencies and quick response (QR) codes for payments. These schemes take various forms, including online impersonation, romance scams, and lottery fraud, all using cryptocurrency ATMs and QR codes as tools.
QR codes, which smartphone cameras can scan, simplify cryptocurrency payments. However, criminals are now using it to trick victims into paying money. Victims are often asked to withdraw money from their accounts and use a QR code provided by scammers to complete transactions at physical cryptocurrency ATMs.
Once the victim makes the payment, the cryptocurrency is transferred to the scammer’s wallet, making recovery nearly impossible due to the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies. The FBI offers several tips to protect against these schemes, focusing on caution, verification, and avoiding cryptocurrency ATM transactions that promise anonymity using only a phone number or email.
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Cryptocurrency regulation efforts in California
The passage of Senate Bill 401 in California is part of a broader effort to regulate the cryptocurrency industry while protecting consumers. Another law, scheduled to take effect in July 2025, will require digital financial asset companies to obtain licenses from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. This represents a clear shift towards tightening government regulation and oversight in the world of digital finance.
Gavin Newsom’s decision to sign these bills into law demonstrates California’s commitment to strengthening the cryptocurrency industry and protecting its citizens. Balancing innovation and security remains a challenge, especially in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Bitcoin Depot’s historic debut on the NASDAQ
In July, Bitcoin Depot, a leading bitcoin ATM operator, went public on the Nasdaq. This milestone comes after Bitcoin Depot merged with GSR II Meteora, a blank check company.
The move to go public demonstrates the growing legitimacy and acceptance of cryptocurrencies in major financial markets.
Authorities vs. illegal crypto ATMs
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is taking a strong stance against illegal cryptocurrency ATM operators. Using its power under money laundering regulations, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has carried out raids on cryptocurrency ATMs suspected of illegal activities across England.
The measures, which follow previous operations in east London and Leeds, are part of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) efforts to crack down on unregulated cryptocurrency operations. This highlights global pressure for stronger cryptocurrency regulation, mirroring steps taken in California. The balance between innovation and security remains a fundamental concern for regulatory bodies around the world.
Jonathan Small is editor-in-chief of Green Entrepreneur, a vertical from Entrepreneur Media focused on the intersection of sustainability and business. He is also an award-winning journalist, producer, and podcast host of the upcoming True Crime series, Dirty Money, and Write About Now podcasts. Jonathan is the founder of Strike Fire Productions, a premium podcast production company. He had held editing positions at Glamour, Stuff, Fitness, and Twist Magazines. His stories have appeared in The New York Times,TV Guide, Cosmo, Details, and Good Housekeeping. Previously, Jonathan served as VP of Content for the GSN (the Game Show Network), where he produced original digital video series.
March 22, 2023 — Layla Blitzer, a 17-year-old high school junior in New York City, was playing field hockey for her school last October and was hit hard by the ball, right above her eye.
She sustained a serious concussion. She’s also had neck issues and headaches for the last 4 months. “They’re so severe I still need physical therapy for them,” she said.
At first, the staff at the opposing high school where she was playing didn’t realize she had a concussion. “Even the referee said, ‘You’re not throwing up, so you’re fine,’” Allison Blitzer, Layla’s mother, said.
It was soon clear that Layla wasn’t “fine.” She consulted with a school-referred neurologist who diagnosed the concussion.
Similar Symptoms, Different Severity
David Wang, MD, head team doctor at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT, said concussion symptoms — such as headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, light and sound sensitivity, mood and cognitive problems, fatigue, and nausea — are similar between adolescents and adults.
“But the symptom scores and severity are higher in adolescents, compared to younger kids and adults,” he said.
Moreover, the recovery time is longer.
“The effects of an adult concussion, especially in men, may be around 7 days, but 3 to 4 weeks isn’t unusual in teenagers, and it can be even longer in female teens,” Wang, who is the director of Comprehensive Sports Medicine in Connecticut, said.
The severity of symptoms, and how long they last, in teens “has to do with their stage of life because adolescents are going through puberty and in a rapid evolution phase, biologically, and are not neurologically mature,” he said. “The changes going on in their bodies may make them more vulnerable to the impact of a concussion, compared to younger children and adults.”
Similar to patterns found in adult women compared to men, girls tend to have more severe symptoms and a longer recovery, compared to boys — something Allison Blitzer was surprised to learn. Her older son has had sustained two concussions playing sports in high school, but after a couple of weeks, “he was fine and back at it.” Layla’s symptoms were more severe and long-lasting.
One of several possible reasons for the sex differences in concussion is that females generally have less neck strength, Wang said. Weaker neck muscles allow for more head acceleration following a blow, which results in greater forces to the brain.
Working With a Teen’s Recovery Time
Layla attempted to go to school 3 days after the concussion, but “it didn’t go well,” she said. The bright classroom lights disturbed her eyes. And most of the instruction was digital, on a computer or a projector, and too much screen time causes eye strain and headaches following a concussion.
“I couldn’t look up and I couldn’t do any of the work my class was doing,” Layla said. The noise stimulation in the lobbies, cafeteria, and elsewhere was overwhelming, too, so after 2 weeks, she stopped going to school.
Because Layla has several siblings, her home wasn’t consistently quiet either, so she isolated in her room.
“I fell behind in work,” Layla said, despite help from a concussion specialist who arranged with the school so Layla could have a reduction in workload, breaks, and extra time to complete assignments and exams.
Even after a few months, Layla was unable to keep up with her schoolwork. The school was “super supportive,” she said, but still didn’t understand how extensive her recovery time would be.
“It seemed like I was expected to be fully better much quicker. And although I’ve been improving, it’s almost 5 months since the injury and we’re in the middle of midterms, but I can’t take them because I’m still behind on my work,” Layla said.
In addition to headaches and memory issues, Layla experienced prolonged fatigue, which was worsened because of insomnia. The neurologist gave her medication for sleep, which helped the fatigue, but the headaches continued.
Finally, Layla consulted another specialist who was able to localize exactly where the headaches were coming from. He prescribed highly targeted physical therapy, which Layla attends twice a week.
“PT has been the most helpful for me and I’m finally beginning to catch up on my work, even though I’m still behind,” she says.
A recent analysis of eight studies (including almost 200 participants) looked at the effectiveness of physical therpay for post-concussion symptoms (such as headaches) in adolescents.
The researchers found evidence that physical therapy is effective in treating adolescents and young adults following a concussion, and that it may lead to a quicker recovery compared to complete physical and cognitive rest, which are traditionally prescribed.
Return to sports cannot be rushed, Wang said, not only because the person is still recovering and might not be “on top of their game” but because a second injury can be more harmful during recovery time.
“We call this “overlapping concussion syndrome,” he said. “The concussion is partially resolved, and the adolescent is functional enough to return to some playing, but then they get hit again. This complicates the situation and prolongs the recovery even more.”
‘Academic Quicksand’
Adolescence is a “challenging time,” Wang said. Teens are learning about themselves in the world, in school, and in their social group. An interruption in this process can disrupt the flow and make this process even more challenging.
“What we’ve seen with 2 years of teens who have missed school due to COVID is that they’re often not well adapted and not yet ready for the college environment,” Wang said. “These are critical maturation years. Similarly, when a teenager misses school or social activities due to a concussion, it increases the stress.”
Wang likens this to “academic quicksand,” and said, “it feels like the more the teenager struggles, the deeper they sink because the struggle itself can be so stressful.”
Layla can attest to this.
“The stress of being behind, especially in a highly competitive academic environment, has definitely caused me a lot of anxiety,” she said. “I see everyone in my grade moving up and I’m still catching up on old math units, doing one old unit that the class had finished a long time ago, as well as the one everyone is working on now.”
Layla sees a therapist for anxiety and finds it helpful. Her mother said it’s hard for Layla to watch her friends go out on weekends and knowing that wherever they hang out is likely to be too loud and too bright for her while she’s still recovering.
“This is an invisible injury and it’s hard to quantify or show someone else how much a person is suffering, so it’s very isolating,” she said.
Advocacy Efforts
Layla is an intern at PINK Concussions, a nonprofit organization focused on concussions in women, where she advocates for other teenagers who have sustained concussions.
When she was playing field hockey, “we weren’t wearing goggles or helmets because the hockey league felt there wasn’t enough evidence to support wearing protective gear for girls,” Layla said.
Now she’s working with her school’s athletic director and with the director of other private schools to change her league’s rules so that protective gear will be required in field hockey games.
“I think my concussion could have been prevented if I’d been better protected,” she said.
She’s also advocating for a more realistic back-to-school protocol.
“Some teachers might worry that students with concussions might delay returning to school,” Katherine Snedaker, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of PINK Concussions, said. “But our research found that students want to be back in school so badly, they were minimizing their symptoms to get back to school/sport before they were ready. Students were not using their concussion as an excuse to stay out longer.”
Layla said teachers “should be educated to expect that kids who have had a concussion may not be up to speed in work for some time. Some teachers may not be aware that recovery in girls and boys can be different. And they should know how to help a student successfully handle schoolwork again.”
President Joe Biden said on Saturday that he ordered U.S. officials to shoot down the suspected Chinese spy balloon earlier this week and that national-security leaders decided the best time for the operation was when the the object was over water.
“They successfully took it down, and I want to compliment our aviators who did it,” Biden said after getting off Air Force One en route to Camp David.
Fighter jets shot down the giant white balloon off the Carolina coast after it apparently traversed sensitive military sites across North America, prompting the postponement of a high-level U.S. diplomatic trip to China and becoming the latest flashpoint in the prevailing tense tone between Washington and Beijing.
“ In preparation for the operation, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily closed airspace over the Carolina coastline, including the Charleston and Myrtle Beach airports in South Carolina and the Wilmington airport in North Carolina. ”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that Biden approved the shoot-down on Wednesday, saying it should be done “as soon as the mission could be accomplished without undue risk to American lives under the balloon’s path.”
Austin said that, due to the size and altitude of the balloon, which was floating at an altitude of about 60,000 feet, the military had determined that taking it down over land would pose an undue risk to people on the ground.
The balloon was observed Saturday morning over the Carolinas as it approached the Atlantic coast.
In preparation for the operation, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily closed airspace over the Carolina coastline, including the Charleston and Myrtle Beach airports in South Carolina and the Wilmington airport in North Carolina. The FAA rerouted air traffic from the area and warned of delays as a result of the flight restrictions.
An operation was underway in U.S. territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean to recover debris from the balloon, which had been estimated to be about the size of three school buses. CNN reported that, according to a senior military source, Navy divers and unmanned vessels were among the assets deployed for the recovery effort, primarily, according to the source, in 47-foot-deep water.
The balloon was downed by Air Force fighter aircraft, according to two officials who were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. CNN reported having been informed that a single missile fired by one of the U.S. jets had brought the balloon down.
Television footage showed a small explosion, followed by the balloon descending toward the water. U.S. military jets were seen flying in the vicinity and ships were deployed in the water to mount the recovery operation.
A South Carolina man posted video that appeared to capture the event as it unfolded. He told CNN he was a social-studies teacher and that his fiancée had recommended he point his camera at the object in advance of its downing.
Officials were aiming to time the operation so they could recover as much of the debris as possible before it sinks into the ocean. The Pentagon had previously estimated that any debris field would be substantial.
The balloon was first spotted over Montana, which is home to one of America’s three nuclear-missile silo fields at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
Biden had explored ordering the downing of the balloon over land when he was first briefed on it Tuesday, but Pentagon officials advised against that course of action, warning that the potential risk to people on the ground outweighed an assessment of potential Chinese intelligence gains.
The public disclosure of the balloon’s travels this week prompted the cancellation of a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing that had been scheduled for Sunday for talks aimed at reducing U.S.-China tensions.
The Chinese government on Saturday sought to play down that cancellation. “In actuality, the U.S. and China have never announced any visit, the U.S. making any such announcement is their own business, and we respect that,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Saturday morning.
The Pentagon also acknowledged reports of a second balloon flying over Latin America. “We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon,” Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a question about the second balloon.
Blinken, who had been due to depart Washington for Beijing late Friday, said he had told senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in a phone call that sending the balloon over the U.S. was “an irresponsible act and that [China’s] decision to take this action on the eve of my visit is detrimental to the substantive discussions that we were prepared to have.”
Uncensored reactions on the Chinese internet mirrored the official government stance that the U.S. was overhyping the situation. Some used it as a chance to poke fun at U.S. defenses, saying it couldn’t even defend against a balloon, and nationalist influencers leapt to use the news to mock the U.S.
Republican politicians in the U.S. sought to characterize Biden’s and the Pentagon’s decision to monitor the balloon until it reached a location where it could be safely targeted militarily as kowtowing to the Chinese.
China has denied any claims of spying and said it was a civilian-use balloon intended for meteorology research. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the balloon’s journey was out of its control and urged the U.S. not to “smear” it based on an isolated balloon incident.
