After Just One Use, Vaping Can Damage Your Blood Vessels

A lot of bad news about vaping has come out lately, and here’s some more.

A new study published in Radiology claims that vaping one time – even without nicotine – can damage blood vessels, reduce blood flow, and create dangerous toxins.

The researchers found that the heat created by e-cigs meant to turn liquid into vapor also stirs the compounds into toxic particles. They studied MRI scans of 31 healthy non-smokers before and after vaping nicotine-free e-cigs to come to their conclusions.

After the participants took 3-second drags 16 times from e-cigs loaded with tobacco flavoring and sweeteners, researchers found they had significant decreased blood flow in the femoral artery – the main artery that delivers blood to your thigh and leg.

Felix Wehrli, the study’s principal investigator, says their study defeats “the notion that e-cigarette vaping is harmless.”

“Beyond the harmful effects of nicotine, we’ve shown that vaping has a sudden, immediate effect on the body’s vascular function, and could potentially lead to long-term harmful consequences.”

The researchers observed an average 34% reduction in the artery’s dilation, and found vaping led to a 17.5% reduction in peak blood flow and a 20% reduction in oxygen in the veins.

Author Alessandra Caporale expanded on their findings in a statement:

“E-cigarettes are advertised as not harmful, and many e-cigarette users are convinced that they are just inhaling water vapor. But the solvents, flavorings and additives in the liquid base, after vaporization, expose users to multiple insults to the respiratory tract and blood vessels.”

With the recent issues sweeping the nation – 100 teens in 14 states have reported lung damage after vaping (including 14 hospitalizations and a number of deaths) – these findings are especially troubling.

Earlier this spring, another study found that flavored e-juice also had toxic effects, like weaker cell survival and increased inflammation.

The American Lung Association has joined with the CDC and others in warning care when turning to e-cigs.

“Inhaling chemicals into your lungs is dangerous. E-cigarettes are guilty until proven innocent, and we are very much in the guilty stage,” says one spokesperson.

Dr. Robert Jackler, founder of Stanford Research Into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising, has dark warnings, as well.

“Nobody knows what it does to the human lung to breathe in and out aerosolized propylene glycol and glycerin over and over. It’s an experiment, frankly. We will find out, years from now, the results.”

And since those results could be “it kills you, in time” avoiding the products altogether seems the smartest course of action.

To me, anyway.

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7 Facts About Stephen King’s “It”

The original TV adaptation of It remains one of the biggest scares of my childhood, and I’ve been told that the latest reimagining was also pretty darn good. Now, we’re getting a second chapter to the story, and to celebrate, how about some fun facts about the source material (it was once a book, after all!)?

Join me!

7. King was high on cocaine when he wrote it.

King has over 30 years of sobriety under his belt, but more than a few of his novels were written between 1978 and 1986, when he (along with a lot of other people) used cocaine heavily.

It was the last novel he wrote before getting sober.

6. The novel was inspired by a Norwegian fairy tale.

The classic Norwegian fairy tale, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, is about 3 goats outsmarting a bridge troll. It’s the inspiration, King says, for this tale.

“I decided that the bridge could be the city, if there was something under it. What’s under a city? Tunnels. Sewers…I thought of how such a story might be cast; how it might be possible to create a ricochet effect, interweaving the stories of the children and the adults they become.”

5. Pennywise isn’t always a clown.

It is a mythical creature that takes the form of what people fear most when it returns to terrorize Derry, but he shows up most often as a clown, King says, because what scares children more than that?

“I thought to myself, ‘What scares children more than anything else in the world?’ And the answer was ‘clowns.’

4. The book took 4 years to complete, and is King’s second longest draft.

The book is 1138 pages long – just 15 pages shorter than The Stand, King’s longest tome – and (depending on the edition) weighs up to 4 pounds.

3. King had his own childhood scare from a clown…called Ronald McDonald.

King revealed to Conan O’Brien that he once sat next to Ronald McDonald on an airplane.

“You think, ‘What if this plane crashes? I’m going to die next to a clown.’”

2. The novel contains a controversial scene that will probably never be adapted.

The novel contains a scene that basically boils down to gang rape – the 11 and 12-year-old boys of The Losers’ Club have to have sex with the long girl in order to escape the sewers – and even King acknowledges it wouldn’t fly today.

“It wasn’t really thinking of the sexual aspect of it. The sexual act connected childhood and adulthood … Times have changes since I wrote that scene and there is now more sensitivity to those issues.”

1. The fictional Derry is basically Bangor, Maine.

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we using more friends references ?

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King has lived in Bangor since 1979, and most of his novels are set in similar fictionalized versions of his adopted hometown.

 

I, for one, love facts about authors and books, so these were pretty cool!

Were any of these news to you? Let us know in the comments!

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Women Open up and Share Their Thoughts on ‘What Men Don’t Know About Women’

In the spirit of all of us learning something new today, we bring you #WhatMenDontKnowAboutWomen – a hashtag meant to enlighten men on all manner of things they might think they know about women but totally don’t.

Be prepared – some of these are graphic but you know.

So is life.

15. Treat women like people. How novel!

14. This made me laugh but also it’s true.

13. The law of the getting laid land.

12. Just because your shampoo costs $5…

11. The more you know.

10. This list is a good place to start.

9. It’s shocking, right?

8. Flowers die in a few days, after all.

7. Gifts are low on some women’s love language lists.

6. It’s a simple thing but it would make us so happy.

5. Also we watch a lot of murder shows.

4. Why is this such a hard thing to understand?

3. “Don’t do it.” Boom.

2. I mean if you care about those things.

1. Yeah we’re not buying your innocent act.

 

I love each and every one of these truths and I hope men everywhere are scrolling!

What would you add, ladies? Men, did any of these surprise you?

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Use These 5 Simple Steps to Solve a Rubik’s Cube

I’ve never even picked up a Rubik’s cube with the intention of actually solving it because I’m pretty sure you’re not going to be able to do it.

So watching someone else solve one with a few simple twists has always seemed pretty impressive, right? Or at least, you assume they’re much smarter than you and much better at things like math and puzzles and the like, yeah?

It turns out that’s not necessarily true.

Because what if they’re not figuring it out, but have simply memorized the best and fastest way to make the colors and sides line up?

It turns out that you, too, can impress your friends at parties – if you have the ability to memorize a few simple steps.

Reddit user CitizenYellow shared this simple infographic that lays out the step-by-step guide to solving the Cube. It’s broken into 5 parts and includes illustrations for each one, and if you follow them, you’ll end up with all of the colors on their separate sides.

How To: Solve A Rubik’s Cube from coolguides

There are actually more algorithms that can be used to solve the Rubik’s Cube without too much of a headache, but this one is simple and the infographic means that, after you practice a few times, it should be like second nature.

Then, you can work on your speed – if you want to beat the world’s best time, you’ll need to do it faster than 4.69 seconds.

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5 Ways ‘The Golden Girls’ Was Way Ahead of Its Time

If you don’t like The Golden Girls, then I’m sorry, but we can’t be friends. The show is hilarious, poignant, heartfelt, and brilliant – everything and more you could ask from any sitcom (plus, FEMINISM!).

Which is why I maintain that it’s one of the best ever, and I would like to submit these 5 facts to bolster my case.

5. They didn’t need to be married to be complete and happy.

All four ladies were either widowed or divorced, and though they dated regularly, their lives didn’t revolve around the idea that the only way to be happy was to find their way back into a marriage. Instead, the show focused on the ways they took care of themselves and each other, and the lack of focus on romantic relationships was extremely refreshing.

4. The intentional inclusion of homosexuality.

The episode titled “Isn’t It Romantic?” won an Emmy for the way the ladies took in stride the appearance Dorothy’s friend Jean, who was a lesbian.

I mean, they were just totally unruffled by the fact. How novel.

3. The Girls loved themselves without apology.

It remains something of an act of rebellion for women to love themselves and their bodies no matter what society has to say on the matter, but these four ate, talked, laughed, and never bothered wondering what others might think about any of it.

2. The way they addressed a HIV/AIDS scare.

Rose found out that she might have contracted the virus after a blood transfusion and, during the nail-biting, 72-hour wait, panics and thinks God is judging her – to which Blanche has the perfect response.

“AIDS is not a bad person’s disease, Rose. It is not God punishing people for their sins.”

The AIDS crisis was raging, and with it a rising tide of homophobia, so those words would have meant a lot to many people.

1. All of the times they discussed their sex lives without shame or judgment.

The show went against the grain by having older women not only enjoying sex, but talking about it like a totally normal topic between women (which of course it always has been).

 

I think it’s time to pull up some reruns!

Do you love The Golden Girls? Have you seen it? If you don’t agree with me on this, I’d love to hear your arguments in the comments (but we still can’t be friends).

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You Can Spend 30 Hours in a Coffin with Your Partner and Win $600, Courtesy of Six Flags

Amusement park Six Flags has celebrated Halloween by daring their guests to spend 30 hours trapped alone in a coffin for the last couple years. People surprisingly jumped at the chance (and some of them actually made it!), so this year, they’re upping the ante and offering the challenge for couples.

That’s right – it’s a chance to test your relationship by spending the night trapped in a 6-foot by 5.4-foot space together!

Or, you know, if you’re up for a super adventure, you could also do it with a perfect stranger.

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#sixflagscoffinchallenge

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You’re allowed to bring pillows, sleeping bags, or whatever else you’d like, as long as everything fits inside and allows the lid to be closed. You’re also allowed to leave for designated bathroom breaks, to eat meals, and to use your phone (that last one is crap, if you asl me).

Each contestant is also issued a “Get Out of the Coffin Free Card” to use in exchange for a 6-minute breather.

There are mini-challenges throughout the main event, like fishing a mystery item out of a bucket, lying still while covered in worms, or other Fear Factor Lite experiences.

Both participants must complete these challenges together, though everyone does get one “Skip the Challenge Card” at the outside of the event.

The reward for surviving all of this intact – and hopefully still in a relationship – is $600 (to split), two 2020 season passes, and a Fright Fest prize pack.

There’s an online application if you’re interested, and if this year’s deadline is passed, well…there’s always next year.

Maybe you and your partner can spend the intervening months trying to survive hours on end pressed together in a tight space.

Remember, though, for the real challenge, you’ll have an audience.

So no funny business to pass the time.

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You Can Now Stay at Downton Abbey Through Airbnb for One Night Only

Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

I have a feeling this place will be booked up for a while…and quick. Highclere Castle, the main filming location for the Downton Abbey TV series and recent feature film, is now available for guests through Airbnb.

This has to be a dream come true for fans of the show. I know how excited I’d be if a room opened up in the Psycho house, so I can feel their excitement.

This actually sounds like a hell of a deal. You get dinner and drinks with Highclere’s Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and you get waited on by a butler (a personal dream of mine). You also get a tour of the grounds and a stay in a private bedroom.

The gist? It’s for one night only and only for two people.. Guests will be able to stay at Highclere on November 26 only, at least for now. Reservations go on sale on October 1 at 12:00 pm BST (British Summer Time), so, if you’re an American, be sure to set an alarm early that day to book your spot.

The pricing starts at $159, which is actually WAY less than I thought it would be.

Here’s how the Airbnb page describes the visit:

“Lord and Lady Carnarvon will welcome guests into their home on arrival, and after settling them into their bedroom, will ask the guests to join them for cocktails before dinner. Throughout the stay, Lord and Lady Carnarvon will immerse the guests in the rich history and heritage of Highclere Castle with a private tour of the Castle, the Highclere Estate.”

If this is a big hit (which I’m sure it will be), maybe more dates like this will open up and you’ll have other opportunities to live in style…at least for one night.

What do you think? Are you going to try to get in on this action?

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IHOP Has an Addams Family Menu Full of Creepy Treats

I love all of this.

I love Halloween. I love pancakes. I love The Addams Family. What else do I need in this life?

Wait, I need this! IHOP launched an entire Addams Family menu on September 16 to go with the new 3-D animated Addams Family movie that hits theaters on October 11.

Alisa Gmelich, IHOP’s vice president of marketing, said, “Halloween, and the months leading up to it, are filled with such unadulterated fun for families, so it made perfect sense for IHOP to get in on the action.” She continued, “The quirkiness of The Addams Family matches our own playfulness as a brand, so a partnership with MGM felt like a great fit.”

Addams family pancakes/hot chocolate @ihop tonight. So good ?

Posted by My Pretty Zombie on Saturday, September 21, 2019

Gmelich added that signature IHOP items like pancakes, milkshakes, and omelettes were given a fun twist: “Our culinary team had a lot of fun playing around with distinctive flavors and eye-catching colors to create a menu that will be delightfully spooky and delicious to families of all ages, including grown-up kids, all month long.”

We NEED a IHOP restaurant here ?#Repost @_halloween_and_fall_ with @get_repost・・・Birthday breakfast @ihop !!! This…

Posted by Wonderland 13 on Wednesday, September 18, 2019

The food menu includes Wednesday’s Web-Cakes, Gomez’ Green Chili Omelette, and the Kooky Kids’ Combo.

If you’re thirsty, you can get some creepy drinks as well! Choose from Uncle Fester’s Chocolate Ice Scream Shake (I know what I’m ordering) or Morticia’s Haunted Hot Chocolate.

They're Altogether Foodie: IHOP Announces ADDAMS FAMILY Tie-in Menu For Octoberhttps://nofspodcast.com/theyre-altogether-foodie-ihop-announces-addams-family-tie-in-menu-for-october/

Posted by Nightmare on Film Street on Tuesday, September 17, 2019

For you youngsters out there who only know about The Addams Family from the movies from the 1990s, you should probably know that the characters also had their own live-action TV show in the 1960s and the characters were based on artist Charles Addams’ cartoons that ran in The New Yorker between 1938-1988.

Here’s a trailer for the new animated film, by the way.

The limited-time menu runs through November 3, so don’t sleep on this! See you at IHOP!

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Starbucks Is Offering an “It Frappuccino” That Looks Spooky and Delicious

Here’s another drink you must try this fall. It: Chapter Two recently hit theaters, and Starbucks has decided to offer a drink inspired by Pennywise, the murderous, terrifying clown from the film.

The frappuccino drink features a “strawberry blood” puree. I know I’m in!

The drink is a limited-edition item, and also it isn’t technically on the Starbucks menu, but if you ask your local barista for the Pennywise frappuccino, they’ll most likely know what you’re talking about. The drink has a vanilla bean frappuccino base with the strawberry puree (aka “blood”)  mixed in. You can also add a vanilla bean scone if you want to get crazy.

A lot of Starbucks locations are not advertising the spooky concoction, but some places are letting the world know that they’re offering the drink.

 

The drink seems to be a big hit because photos of it are all over social media.

One barista even got really creative with the cup and decided to draw Pennywise over the Starbucks logo.

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I got to make a couple #itfrappuccino today at my #starbucks!!! Pictured first is my last attempt with a much better depiction of #Pennywise than my first attempt (pictured last). I loooove drawing him so I had to add him for the full effect!!! **PLEASE DO NOT ORDER THIS AS THE IT FRAPPUCCINO, your barista will likely NOT know what that is. Order a Vanilla bean frappuccino with strawberry purée on top! Oh, and PLEASE TIP YOUR #BARISTAS!!!!! @itmovieofficial @andy_muschietti @barbaramus Thank you for such an amazing movie experience these past few years!!! I’m so happy I can incorporate Pennywise into my everyday life ????? ETA//: If you see this featured anywhere please comment or DM me, I would love to see it!!! I also set up a ko-fi in my profile. If you enjoyed this and would like to see more cup art, art in general, or fun drinks, please consider supporting me there!

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The Pennywise frappuccino has actually been around since 2017 when the first It film hit the big screens, but a lot of folks still don’t know it exists.

For the It fans out there, Bill Skarsgård (who plays Pennywise) said there might be a third It film:

“Andy and I have discussed ideas for what a third movie would look like. I don’t think it’s quite what people expect. It’s something different. The first two stories are the book, and the second film is the end of that story. So we would do something quite literally off book. There are a few ideas floating around. I feel like I’ve done what I can with the incarnation of Pennywise as we know of him, so I think it would be a cool idea to change up a few things. So, without going into too much detail, there is a story that we’re kind of excited about, but it’s way too early to say. But we’ll see, we’ll see.”

I can’t wait to try this bloody—I mean strawberry-flavored drink and see a third installment of the series!

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20 Interesting Signs from the Youth-Led World Climate Strike

Many people around the world admit that human emissions are slowly killing the planet via climate change, but no one seems to do anything. Scared for their futures, young people have been pushing the people in charge to not just agree, but to at least try to save us all from a fiery death.

Enter the recent youth-led global climate strike, a movement that numbered in the millions all over the globe. Participants everywhere hope their protest were heard by the UN during their Climate Summit (Greta Thunberg, a leader of the movement, shared some amazing words that made me tear up a little), and if these 20 signs have anything to say about it, these kids will be impossible to ignore.

20. It doesn’t seem like this should be asking too much.

19. I mean it takes a lot to get us out of the house.

18. Priorities, man.

Image Credit: Twitter

17. She’s walking the walk.

16. Incorporating a bit of our history lessons, there.

Image Credit: Twitter

15. Points for relevance.

Image Credit: Twitter

14. And justice for all.

13. Just a little something to think about.

Image Credit: Twitter

12. It’s so hot out you might not be able to feel this burn for much longer.

Image Credit: Twitter

11. I think this one is my favorite.

Image Credit: Twitter

10. That’s not at all romantic.

Image Credit: Twitter

9. On so many levels.

Image

Image Credit: Twitter

8. Fighting for the unborn on a whole other level.

7. A more perfect mashup has ever been conceived.

Image Credit: Twitter

6. It’s always a good time for a well-crafted pun.

Image Credit: Twitter

5. Who knew Mario Bros. would teach us so much about real life?

4. It’s quite backward.

3. My new favorite meme making an appearance.

2. I could not have bigger heart eyes for this sign.

Image Credit: Twitter

1. You are not alone.

 

It’s time to make a change, y’all. If it doesn’t start from the top, we’ll start it from the bottom. Consider looking into ways you can reduce your carbon footprint.

Are you impressed by the world’s youth campaigning for change? Are you inspired? Let us know how you plan to help in the comments!

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