I think, actually, that e-cigarettes do contain nicotine. The general "formula" for an e-cigarette is composed of flavoring, glycol and glycerin, and nicotine. https://smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/ecigs-menthol-dip/ecigs

This is not necessarily a solution, but a strategy- using advertising and public service announcements to reach teenagers and warn them of risks. You may already be familiar with "The Real Cost," a campaign created in 2014 by the FDA to spread awareness and encourage criticism of teenage smoking. In 2018, the campaign extended its reach to vaping, targeting popular websites, social media, and Youtube channels. According to The Real Cost, around 80 percent of youth in the US don't see the harm of either smoking or vaping. If this is true, then I believe the FDA's to educate up to 10 million youth in the US about smoking/vaping through advertising is a valuable idea.

I think originally older smokers were targeted for e-cigarettes, them being a modern alternative to heavier smoking methods. However, in my lifetime, the demographic for e-cigs and vapes has extended to college and even high school students. In my opinion, this shift shouldn't be encouraged.

E-cigarettes were actually patented in the United States in 1967 as a way to avoid the harmful effects of smoking. At that point, consequences of smoking were not fully recognized by the public, and e-cigarettes would not be a truly marketable product until the early 2000s. It wouldn't be until 2007 that the American commercial system began selling e-cigarettes on a large scale. In my knowledge of their usage today, they've been used more due to fashion than due to health.

This is a bizarre idea. Relating cannabis to alcohol or tobacco, it's strange to think that there are educational pathways that focus specifically on the connotations of one drug. I think education around marijuana may be a valuable idea to consider, but I'd be surprised if there were careers/long-term projects that would come out of such a path of study. The biggest thing to avoid would be the glamorization of a drug habit that may be harmful to long-term health. On a related note, a few months ago, I heard about an institution called Oaksterdam University on the news. Founded in 2007, it's known as the US's first "cannabis college". As far as I know, it is very real. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oaksterdam_University

I agree with your point, but I'm curious about how the media might be attempting to raise marijuana awareness. I have noticed a lot of advertising from "The Real Cost" lately (for cigarettes), but I have yet to see PSAs that are marijuana-related. It's possible this will be something pursued more thoroughly in the future!

I think at least a fraction of the money should be spent on constructive public advertising to ensure safe and healthy use. As of today, most taxes from cigarettes are used to reduce state and federal budget debts. However, according to the American Lung Association, some activists are petitioning for the redirection of tobacco taxes to youth education and quitting programs. Though it may be unreasonable to ask the government to invest all tax money into public health campaigns, at least some revenue should be used to educate the public on the consequences of abuse.

I agree- I don't see harm in society's use of marijuana, but I do think that glamorization should be avoided. At the end of the day, marijuana is still an addictive drug, and this consideration should be taken into account when its reputation is broadcast to a younger audience.

According the the NIH, marijuana intake increases levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) almost immediately in the bloodstream and brain. This chemical mimics the neurotransmitter anandamide, the infamous "bliss molecule" that produces the high marijuana is known for. Short-term, marijuana leads to feelings of grandiosity and erraticism, along with increased heart rate and breathing issues. Long-term, marijuana can stunt brain development, especially in users under the age of 25. A little known fact about marijuana is that smoking it while pregnant can negatively impact a fetus's development. All in all, marijuana has a multitude of negative effects that the public is generally unaware of.

In 2012, medical marijuana was legalized in Connecticut, where I've lived since I was born. At the time of the change, I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about the issue (or what marijuana was, for that matter). Over the years, however, I have come to believe that marijuana usage is not entirely different from smoking or drinking alcohol. All 3 are addictive drugs with health and cultural consequences, but only one is illegal. In recent years, several news articles and scientific reports have argued that marijuana may be "healthier" than tobacco, resulting in less severe health consequences than smoking in studied participants. Thus, legalizing marijuana may be a low-cost way to direct drug usage to a safer, more monitored source (particularly pertinent during the opiod crisis). If marijuana has medicinal purposes that may mitigate suffering, and could lead to less frequent usage of other drugs, I don't see an issue with it being legal.

I'm not a particular "fan" of country music, but songs about rural life, dirt roads, and simple times can make me feel much better when I'm feeling down. I have family members who enjoy soft rock/folk, so I suppose the genre has some nostalgic value to me. I would really recommend trying a genre completely different than what you're used to to encourage new feelings when you're stuck in a rut.

I think it might be useful to have highly accessible and anti-stigmatized counseling services for medical students at any level (not just undergraduate). Medical schools should look into specific and personalized advisory pairings that focus on well-being on top of academics, and provide frequent wellness seminars for students that extend into residency. This will not only improve mental health amongst medical professionals, but refine the quality of medical care in future years. It's difficult to take care of others when you're struggling yourself.

These comments remind me of Seasonal Depressive Disorder (SAD)! Seasonal depression is a quite common condition, with around 3 million Americans reporting symptoms each year. The most common characteristic of SAD is withdrawal caused by lack of light/warmth in winter months. Medical professionals have actually designed lights to help mitigate symptoms- SAD lamps! I don't have seasonal depression, but the lamps look damn cool. https://www.amazon.com/Carex-Day-Light-Classic-Bright-Therapy/dp/B0009MFUWC/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=sad+lamps+medical&qid=1553399426&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Something interesting I've learned about Reese Witherspoon is that many of her family members have struggled with depression, too - these include her former husband Ryan and her daughter Ava. This makes me wonder if depression is "contagious" in a way - would someone be more likely to suffer from depression if they have loved ones that are also victims?

@Meg Dreany Thanks for the question. I think that adults (18+) should have the option of assisted suicide, given that they're going through a great deal of pain related to a diagnosed condition. However, this discussion has reminded me of a CNN video I saw a little while ago- in 2015. In it, a terminally-ill five-year-old (suffering from neuromuscular disease) is given the choice of "home or hospital" by her parents, and ultimately decides to pass away peacefully in her bedroom rather than pursue prolonged treatment. I'm honestly not sure what to think of this. I strongly believe in assisted suicide, especially when people have a very low quality of life, but I think morality gets blurred when the choice involves children. At the moment, I don't believe that kids (or their parents) should be given the option of assisted suicide except in unique situations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIbwYaOcGxg

This is interesting- does the fear of a sanatorium prevent younger patients from seeking help as well?

@Lizzie Quinn Therapy is a common option for geriatric depression - though, after researching the condition more, I was surprised to find out that prescribing medicine (SSRIs) is usually the most frequently used treatment. Apparently, older individuals tend to not want to devote as much time to psychotherapy as younger patients.

I would partially disagree- I think it's difficult for us as young, healthy people to understand what someone with geriatric depression is truly going through. I think we all have had experience feeling low, but we can't truly understand how much someone is suffering unless we're under their skin. I think assisted death should always be an option for someone with a long-term or acute medical condition that causes a great deal of pain. In the end, the choice of life is a fundamental human right that each person should have in their own hands. I would also add that clinical depression does not affect the decision-making process the same way other mental illnesses do. Thus, many people who suffer from depression can accurately articulate and analyze how they are feeling.

Similar to adolescent depression, doctors will often prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to treat geriatric depression. These drugs include Prozac and Lexapro, which work by increasing the amount of serotonin available in the brain. However, as many patients with geriatric depression are out of work and away from others, doctors will often recommend trying new hobbies and meeting up with family more often. Sadly, geriatric depression is often caused by long-term isolation- if you've ever seen the movie "Up", Carl Fredrickson is a perfect example of elderly depression following the death of his wife Ellie.

I think one of the most common misconceptions of depression in the U.S. is that it's a condition that starts in the mind and stays in the mind. It's widely accepted in today's society that depression is a "choice" that victims can just deal with and get over. In reality, depression may be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from social struggles and childhood abuse to physical conditions like insomnia and neurotransmitter imbalances. On the other end, depression can be devastating to a person's livelihood and long-term health. Most interesting to me is the effect of depression on the immune system. Studies have shown that people who struggle with prolonged mental illness have a harder time fending off both minor infections and more serious cardiovascular issues. Vaccines can also be less effective in adults with depression. If these facts were more well known, I think society might reconsider the psychological tag assigned to depression- which, in my mind, is a disease like any other.