Use a Sliding window. Go stepwise through characters of s to expand the longest unique string one character each step. Each time a new maximum size of characters in the Set is reached, it is stored in our variable, ans. The Set is used only to track the next possible longest unique set of characters.
If the next character in s is not in the Set, wordEnd is incremented, widening the window. Save ans = Max(new result, previous max).
If the next character is already in our Set, try a new window. We don’t know where in our word the next character exists, but we can try removing one char from the front of the set. This decreases the current running set of unique characters, but gives us a chance to possibly find a longer unique set.
MAX_LENGTH - wordStart > ans
If the length number of characters remaining are greater than our longest answer, continue the loop for a chance to get a longer answer.
Loop Terminal Condition
MAX_LENGTH - wordStart > ans
If the length number of characters remaining are greater than our longest answer, continue the loop (there is a chance to get a longer answer).
Time complexity
O(n)
Space complexity
O(2n)
JavaScript
function lengthOfLongestSubstring(s) {
const MAX_LENGTH = s.length;
const set = new Set();
let ans = 0, wordStart = 0, wordEnd = 0;
while (MAX_LENGTH - wordStart > ans) { // Loop terminal condition.
if(!set.has(s[wordEnd])) {
set.add(s[wordEnd++]);
ans = Math.max(ans, wordEnd - wordStart);
} else {
set.delete(s[wordStart++]);
}
}
return ans;
}
Changing while to do / while can improve performance. If the readability is good, why not use it?
Only one small tweak is needed to avoid an error. Can you spot the error?
function lengthOfLongestSubstring(s) {
"use strict";
const MAX_LENGTH = s.length;
const testChars = new Set();
let ans = 0, wordStart = 0, wordEnd = 0;
if (MAX_LENGTH === 0) return 0;
do {
if(!testChars.has(s[wordEnd])) {
testChars.add(s[wordEnd++]);
ans = Math.max(ans, wordEnd - wordStart);
} else {
testChars.delete(s[wordStart++]);
}
} while (ans < MAX_LENGTH - wordStart)
return ans;
}
If s === "", its 0 property (wordEnd) is undefined.
We can avoid adding undefined to our map by doing a check for this special case before the loop.
if (MAX_LENGTH === 0) return 0;
Finally, adding "use strict" allows the script engine to make some of its own optimizations, more for sanity than performance. (This should mostly be done on the file level or by using modules or classes.) The result is readable and has phenomenal performance, beating 91.55 % of all javascript submissions.
Non-strict functions use a separate Environment Record for top-level lexical declarations. This is done so direct eval can determine whether any var-scoped declarations introduced by the eval code conflict with pre-existing top-level lexically scoped declarations. This is not needed for strict functions because strict direct eval places all declarations into a new Environment Record.
In response to “offensive song lyrics”, Artistworks decided to remove me from their website.
In response, I requested my content back from them, including all videos and posts, per CA CC §1798.100.
Artistworks ignored all of my CCPA data portability requests to them.
I then filed a CCPA data portability request violation to the CA Office of the Attorney General (OAG) through the OAG’s website.
The OAG then reached out to Artistworks regarding the allegations I had made in my CCPA data portability request violation claim.
Artistworks responded to the OAG’s inquiry by deleting my data. Under legal representation by Barry Shrum, LLC, they then lied to the OAG, falsely stating that I had requested them to delete my data. I never requested this and it is not what I wanted.
Artistworks went on to further lie to the OAG, making libelous claims about me, a former student, in an attempt to justify their criminal actions.
Artistworks, of course, had no evidence to support their false claim that I had made the alleged request for them to delete my data. Their false claims didn’t happen. I had requested Artisworks, in writing, to provide my data. Here is just one of the emails I sent to Artistworks.
To: Dawn Mendoza <dawn@artistworks.com>, Date: Jan 12, 2020. Subject: CCPA Data Portability Request
Message:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED OF LEGAL ACTION.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Right of Access
You are to provide all of my data, including all media, posts, messages, and contacts in a human accessible and machine readable format, free of charge to me as specified by and provisioned for in CCPA SECTION 1. Section 1798.100 of the Civil Code. The data shall be in a readily-useable format that allows the me to transmit this information to another entity without hindrance.
In response, the OAG was supposed to fine them for their criminal activity, however, the OAG did nothing, accepting Artistworks’ defamatory comments as justification for their own inaction.
In follow-up with the OAG board, I asked the board “who holds the board accountable?” and “how does the board decide which cases to enforce and which to ignore?”. The board members, Jennifer Urban, et al, ignored that question.
In a follow-up to being ignored, I issues a FOIA request to the OAG for the video recording of that phone call. That FOIA request went ignored, as unfortunately happens with too many FOIA requests.
The allowance for pretextual stops inevitably leads to fourth amendment violations.
Pretextual stops, or “looking for a reason” to initiate a traffic stop, by nature, form the basis for fourth amendment violations.
While it is possible that an officer could pull over an individual for a traffic infringement and happen to find suspicious criminal activity, that’s not usually how it goes down.
It’s important to differentiate happenstance observations during a traffic stop from pretextual stops, where the officer is actively looking for a reason to pull over a vehicle.
In Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806 (1996), the court determined that such stops were acceptable when it could be determined that “a reasonable officer would have stopped the car for the purpose of enforcing the traffic violation at issue”. This opened up barn-door wide leeway for officers who went above and beyond the court’s decision to profile, follow without cause, and use spurious reasons to pull over their target.
The latter form of stop, a pretextual stop, looking for a reason, provides officers with broad leeway to pull over drivers under the justification that the driver may have committed some infraction out of the almost uncountable number infractions on the books.
Such reasons can range from nitpicking license plate headlamp violations to reaching “dangerous lane change” and even speculative non-infractions such as “I couldn’t see if your seatbelt was on” stops.
Such pretextual stops can be identified when it is clear that the reason for the stop is poorly justified and the officer is looking for a reason to pull the driver over. They can be identified with the following characteristics:—
The officer either (a) did not clearly and immediately articulate the crime or infraction, (b) cited vague or spurious laws, (c) used reasons that occurred after initiating silent pursuit for the basis for the stop and did not articulate valid justification for pursuing the target, or (d) used insufficient evidence for the stop.
Such stops inevitably lead to fourth amendment violations and should therefore be ruled unconstitutional.
In the case of the video below, the officer began following his target before initiating a stop. The traffic stop had nothing to do with the officer’s unstated reason for following his target. The officer followed his target to “find a reason” to pull him over. Therefore, the constitutionality of the stop is questionable.
Any stop determined to be pretextual should be deemed invalid, thereby invalidating anything that came from the stop as “fruit of the poisonous tree”.
Overall health depends on mitochondrial health. Virtually all health conditions from physical and mental performance to cardiovascular health and aging are impacted by mitochondrial health. Optimizing it is therefore a powerful strategy to extend one’s healthspan, or longer quality of life.
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. They produce and release energy in the citric acid (krebs) cycle and the Electron Transport Chain (ETC).
Mitochondria are essential to cellular function. Cells cannot function without them. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, concussion, and most neurodegenerative diseases. [Chistiakov][Jang]
Measuring Mitochondrial Health
As of 2021, health practitioners can’t test mitochondrial health, so they ignore it.
Commonly performed tests are inadequate. However, changes in overall health can be observed through better tests. Although these better tests don’t provide direct feedback on mitochondrial health, they do provide a more accurate representation of total health than the commonly prescribed, sometimes misleading tests.
Specifically requested performance tests can measure these values through indirect means. Tests such as blood glucose, kidney function, blood pressure, VO₂ max, and cardio IQ can give a rough indication of overall mitochondrial health.
Healthcare Diagnostic Failings
How Doctors Test Your Kidneys
Doctors assess kidney function by glomerular filtration rate (GFR), typically by an eGFR test. eGFR measures blood creatinine — that’s it — and uses fudge factor adjustments that include age, gender, race, and weight, as WebMD officiously explains. They use bodyweight to determine how much muscle you have (WRONG). The thinking behind this is that people have roughly the same ratio of lean body mass to adipose tissue (fat) (WRONG) and, since greater muscle mass leads to greater creatinine levels, heavier people must have more muscle (WRONG). Thus, heavier people with a higher GFR can be expected to be in good health (WRONG).
The eGFR test, which is practically useless for assessing kidney function, is a normal example of healthcare-industry turd-polishing. Be aware of this type of erroneous thinking, established into practice, look out for other such errors, and ask questions and seek answers.
Exercise increases creatinine, a metabolic waste product. And, since exercise increases liver enzymes, increased exercise might also indicate to your doctor that your kidneys and liver are in worse shape — more evidence to him that your new fad health regimen is just more quackery. And, if you’re also taking creatine monohydrate, that will also increase creatinine levels, leading to lower eGFR score, crudely indicating to your assumptive doctor that your kidneys and liver are in worse shape. Your doctor might even tell you to stop taking or doing whatever it is you are doing. Keep in mind, you own your health; your doctor is there to serve you. If you can’t get him to do that, find another doctor.
A better test of kidney function is a Creatinine Clearance test and an albumin/creatinine ratio test. These test circulating creatinine, urinary creatinine, and urinary albumin. Doctors don’t generally request these tests. If you want them, you’ll have to ask for them.
How Doctors Test Your Cardiovascular Health
Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) particle number assessment is another widespread failing of modern health care. Calculating LDL-C is expensive for widespread screening so, as it is with kidney function, modern healthcare doesn’t test what they find to be “too expensive” and again performs a rough guesstimate.
The alternative to the widespread failure of lipid panel guesstimation is NMR spectronomy particle testing, such as Cardio IQ, which actually measures LDL levels, as well as their size and shape.
Heart disease is the #1 killer in the US, costing an estimated $363 billion dollars per year. That, however, has not stopped the healthcare industry from saving a few bucks by sticking to tradition and avoiding the slightly more expensive NMR tests which have been decreasing in cost over the past thirty years.
Although the best healthcare diagnostics are generally crude, improvements are being made. Get your doctor to work for you. DYOR, find the lab tests you want, communicate with your doctor, and listen to your body.
How Mitochondrial Health and Function can be Improved
On a cellular level, mitochondrial function can be improved in a few ways.
Mitochondrial biogenesis
Increased mitochondrial activity
Mitochondrial strength
Mitochondrial protection
There are several things you can do to affect those parameters. Understanding of their pathways is key to understanding what, why and how things work.
AMPK and PGC-1 alpha
The AMPK/PGC-1 alpha pathway leads to mitochondrial biogenesis and health.
PGC-1 alpha, the “master regulator” of mitochondrial biogenesis, regulates cellular energy metabolism and induces mitochondrial biogenesis. PGC-1a stands for PPAR Gamma Coactivator-1 alpha. PPAR’s regulate gene expression and PGC 1-a is a PPAR co-activator that regulates cellular energy metabolism. [Liang]
PGC-1 alpha can be activated by a number of things mentioned in this article. Anything that increases PGC-1a increases mitochondrial strength, number, and function.
Anything that increases AMPK increases PGC-1α. [Cantó], though AMPK does more than increase PGC 1-a.
AMPK or AMP-Activated Protein Kinase, is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of AMP to ADP to form ATP. ATP is a form of stored energy that is released in the citric acid cycle, forming ADP and AMP. When AMP/ATP or ADP/ATP ratios are too high, AMPK is increased. Increases in AMPK activation and PGC-1a lead to increases in mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial strength and number.
Results come from consistent, total application. A halfway applied program leads to partial results. Most people will apply a small fraction of what little they understand and achieve a poor result. Although I explain what to do (exercise, supplements, peptides, etc), it’s up to you to do it consistently. And I’ve explained why and how, so that it can be understood, not followed on blind faith.
Exercise
Physical exercise is the best way to improve mitochondrial health and will have the greatest observable effects on overall health. Exercise should be at the core of any program. Exercise is the best way to increase AMPK.
Exercise increases PGC-1 alpha which stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis. Exercise also causes release of mitochondrial-derived peptides such as MOTS-c, a naturally-produced (more on MOTS-c below). Exercise strengthens mitochondria in all 3 muscle (skeletal, cardiac, and smooth) types, organs like the liver and kidney, and even nervous tissues of the brain. [Park][Steiner]
The most effective type of exercise for improving mitochondrial health is generally agreed to be high-intensity cardiovascular training at or above 75% maximal power (such as high intensity interval training (HIIT)). This is because PGC-1α expression at both the mRNA and protein level increases in an exercise intensity-dependent manner. Supplements, peptides, other approaches to improve performance can raise individual limits of beneficial HIIT. However, a conditioned response to HIIT decreases in benefit after more than 40 repeated bouts. [Bishop][Granata]
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent Fasting (IF) is fasting between 12 to 24 hours. Several studies have reported significant reductions in body weight and fat mass with no significant changes in lean mass.
Fasting, like exercise, raises PGC-1 alpha. Intermittent fasting (IF) combined with high intensity interval training has synergistic effects suggesting increased mitochondrial mass. [Real-Hohn]
Cold Temperature
Cold exposure strongly induces a release of PGC-1 alpha and, as a result, induces mitochondrial biogenesis. [Chung]
Red Light Therapy, Photobiomodulation (PBM)
The wavelengths 660nm and 850nm increase ATP, increase mitochondrial membrane potential (for the ETC), and improve mitochondrial function in brain, muscle, eye, and organ tissues and, when used pre-workout, reduces post-workout creatine kinase levels. [Silveira][Eells][Keszler][Leal-Junior]
“[Photobiomodulation’s] principal player is the mitochondrion, whether its cytochromes are directly involved as a photoacceptor or indirectly through a vibrational and energetic variation of bound water: water as the photoacceptor.” [Ravera]
Whole body near-infrared (NIR) and IR before exercise increases mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP synthesis with a peak response at 3-6 hours. [Ferraresi]
Follow the instructions recommended by the device manufacturer, usually 20 minutes per day.
Fasted Training Strategy
Sleep early, rise early, do red light therapy for 15–20 minutes, train hard fasted, and then follow with cold or contrast hot/cold showers.
Mitochondrial Peptides Stack
Peptide
Dose
5-Amino-1MQ
50mg daily for two months
Prevents breakdown of NAD+.
MOTS-c
5mg EOD for two to three weeks
Increases PGC-1α expression, attenuates insulin resistance, and enhances glucose metabolism via the AMPK signaling pathway. [Yang]
SS-31
0.5mg / kg bodyweight EOD for two to three weeks
Strengthens the cristae, the structures of the inner mitochondria where the ETC takes place. Reduces free radical production, improves exercise tolerance, and improves diseases stemming from mitochondrial dysfunction. [Campbell][Siegel]
Mitochondrial Supplement Stack
Substance
Dose
NMN
500–1000mg daily
Increases NAD for energy in the electron transport chain (ETC).
PQQ
50–150mg daily
Stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis. Protects against exercise-induced fatigue and oxidative damage by improving mitochondrial function.
CoQ₁₀ Ubiquinol or Phytosome Q10 (Ubiqsome)
300-500mg daily
Generates ATP from metabolic products in the ETC. Protects mitochondria from oxidative damage and dysfunction.
r-ALA
100mg with larger meals
Reduces mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage. Induces mitochondrial biogenesis. Complementarily promotes mitochondrial synthesis with ALCAR. Restores insulin sensitivity in muscle cells. [Shay]
ALCAR
500 – 1000mg pre workout or w/ carbs, 1-2x daily
Nutritively shuttles activated long chain fatty acids into the mitochondria (“carnitine shuttle”).
Restores mitochondrial function and increases mtDNA.
Creatine
5-10g daily, w/ carbs
Increases ATP used in the krebs cycle. Prevents mitochondrial damage, increases mtDNA, and induces mitochondrial biogenesis.
Coleus Forskolin
With large meals
Activates cAMP pathway for mitochondrial biogenesis, increased mtDNA, and mitochondrial activity.
5-Amino-1MQ inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). NNMT is an enzyme that breaks down NAD+. Thus, inhibiting NNMT causes an increase in NAD+.
5-Amino-1MQ also activates senescent muscle stem cells, increases muscle recovery, and increase metabolism. [Neelakantan 1]
5-Amino-1MQ inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). NNMT is an enzyme that breaks down NAD+. Thus, inhibiting NNMT causes an increase in NAD+.
5-Amino-1MQ has been shown to activate senescent muscle stem cells, and improve regenerative capacity of aged skeletal muscle, and increase metabolism. [Neelakantan 1][Neelakantan 2] [Neelakantan 1][Neelakantan 2]
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial Open reading frame (ORF) of the twelve S-c (MOTS-c) is a mitochondrially-derived peptide that responds to physical activity. MOTS-c regulates insulin sensitivity, physical capacity and performance.
MOTS-c is a peptide that improves physical function, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic disease states. MOTS-c is produced naturally in humans and is synthesized and sold as a peptide for research purposes.
Exogenous MOTS-c, combined with exercise, synergistically upregulates PGC-1α expression, attenuates insulin resistance, and enhances glucose metabolism via the AMPK signaling pathway. [Yang]
SS-31
SS-31 is a peptide found in the inner membrane of mitochondria, an area where free radicals are produced. SS-31 strengthens the cristae, the structures of the inner mitochondria where the ETC takes place.
Because SS-31 strengthens the inner mitochondria, it reduces free radical production, improves exercise tolerance, and improves diseases stemming from mitochondrial dysfunction. [Campbell][Siegel]
SS-31 restores healthy mitochondrial function, thus, it is primarily of benefit to aged individuals undergoing intense exercise training or those fighting T2D, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s diseases. SS-31 has no effect on young, healthy mitochondria.
In 2021 study out of the University of Washington, researchers found NMN and SS-31 effective at restoring different aspects of mitochondrial and heart health, each through its own respective mechanisms. Combining the two resulted in a synergistic effect that rejuvenated old hearts to the young state. [Whitson]
SS-31 is also an orphaned drug, so, due to government control, it is not readily available for purchase.
These peptides can and should be synergistically complemented and potentiated with supplementation. Exercise is a prerequisite.
Mitochondrial Supplements Detail
Nicotinamide Mononucleotinde (NMN)
Niacin and its metabolite nicotinamide mononucleotinde (NMN) both increase NAD+ and mitochondrial NAD(P)H production under high workload. [Zhang][Whitson]
Niacin causes flushing (from prostaglandin activation) and blunts the release of free fatty acids (FFA). The flushing is uncomfortable but harmless, and reduced FFA release raises HDL. NMN does not have these effects. [Kamanna]
When niacin is metabolized, it uses a methyl group. This can be offset by supplementation of a methyl donor, such as 200–400mg Sam-e, B vitamins, trimethylglycine (betaine), or choline. All of these methyl donors have positive effects. Sam-e, in particular, restores intracellular GSH stores, especially in mitochondria. [Ming]
“Niacin, after undergoing biochemical reactions in the mitochondria with nicotinamide, and tryptophan forms nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NAD phosphate (NADP). NAD and NADP are the active forms of niacin which, when reduced to NAD(H) and NADP(H) respectively, participates in catabolic redox reactions and are cofactors in anabolic redox reactions.” (sic) [Zhang][Whitson]
A 2019 study showed that supplemental NMN reduced levels of creatinine, a metabolic waste product. The mechanism of action is most likely improved kidney function as a direct action of NMN [Weiss]. Because overtraining and creatine supplementation can both raise creatinine levels, NMN is a perfect complement to creatine supplementation or any HIIT exercise regimen.
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)
Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a naturally occurring coenzyme manufactured by bacteria, found in plants, and utilized by mammalian cells as an important nutritional growth factor. Because humans do not produce PQQ, this necessary nutrient must be ingested, either from scant amounts found in food, or via supplementation.
PQQ stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and increased PGC-1 alpha expression. [Chowanadisai]
PQQ also protects against exercise-induced fatigue and oxidative damage by improving mitochondrial function. [Liu]
In a 2020 study out of Texas, a small group of untrained men were split into groups. One group got 20mg PQQ per day, the other group got a placebo, and both groups trained on a stationary cycle.
The PQQ group showed greater weight loss and improved mitochondrial biogenesis by way of significant elevations in PGC-1a protein content. Although no advantageous improvement in aerobic exercise performance was found in the PQQ group, the authors attribute this lack of observed aerobic performance to the test itself; that fatigue kicked in before VO₂ max could be realized. Regardless, the weight loss demonstrated that PQQ, even when used alone, has observable effects. [Hwang]
In a 2016 study out of Japan, just 20 mg of BioPQQ™ per day improved cognitive function of elderly subjects. [Itoh]
PQQ was tested with no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) at 100 mg/kg bw per day in a 90-day repeated dose oral toxicity study with BioPQQ™. (For a 50kg (110lbs) person, that comes to 5000mg PQQ).
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ₁₀)
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ₁₀) is used in the electron transport chain to generate energy in the form of ATP from metabolic products (sugars, fats, and proteins). CoQ₁₀ protects mitochondria from oxidative damage and dysfunction.
CoQ₁₀ administration increases brain mitochondrial concentrations and exerts neuroprotective effects. CoQ₁₀ and PQQ work synergistically with 5-Amino-1MQ to improve neurological function and increase energy turnover. [Matthews][Sarmiento]
Ubiquinol, the reduced form of CoQ₁₀, has shown superior uptake to ubiquinone. Because ubiquinol is fat soluble, it should be taken with fat. [Zhang, Ying]
Phytosome Q10, a lipid-soluble form of CoQ₁₀, has demonstrated higher bioavailability and increased mitochondrial functionality in cultured cells. [Rizzardi
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine increases power output by increasing ATP. ATP is used a few ways in energy production, including the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain, both of which occur inside the mitochondria. [Cooper] (See also: How the mitochondria produces ATP in steps.)
Creatine protects mitochondria from damage, increases mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and induces mitochondrial biogenesis. This explains why creatine has been evidenced to fight the effects of aging. [Gowayed][Barbieri][Candow]
Coleus Forskolin
Coleus Forskolin activates the cAMP pathway inducing mitochondrial biogenesis, and increasing mtDNA and activity. [Bogacka]
Racemic Alpha-Lipoic Acid (r-ALA)
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) reduces mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage. ALA protects cells, including neurons, from damage, and induces mitochondrial biogenesis. [Shen][Nutritionreview.org][Fernández-Galilea][Shay]
Sodium r-Lipoate (Na-r-ALA), the Best Form of ALA
Racemic ALA, or r-ALA, is the reduced form of ALA. r-ALA has shown significantly higher absorption than the synthetic S- form (s-ALA). Most commercial formulations use a combination of s- and r- enantiometers because it is cheaper to do so, but do not specify this. [Streeper]
Sodium r-Lipoate (Na-r-ALA) is less prone to polymerization (“gunking up”), is completely soluble in water, and displays much better absorption. [Carlson] Always use Na-r-ALA.
Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR)
Carnitine directly affects mitochondrial respiration. It transfers activated long chain fatty acids into the mitochondria in a series of reactions called the “carnitine shuttle”. [Ferreira]
Carnitine spares glycogen and burns fat during exercise. The form Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR) has the advantage of crossing the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain and improve neurological health and function. [Wall]
The duration of human maturation now includes an additional 4–6-year pre-adult period. “Emerging adulthood” is used to explain problems of delays in learning about intimacy and mutual support, socialization, and the attainment of social skills needed for mating and reproduction.
Social scientists contend that the period of emerging adulthood has an “evolutionary context” and cite developmental markers as evidence to support the rapidly growing consensus of the hypothesis that post-adolescents require protection as they are still learning and maturing.
Society, with poor understanding of personal development, influenced by dogmatism and false beliefs, is producing children in a way that is not well optimized. It doesn’t seem to be getting better, either. Rather, it seems to be going in the opposite direction, towards inhibition of maturation.
Modern psychology’s new developmental phase, “emerging adulthood”, describes individuals who did not not socially mature but have reached biological maturation. It is a way of further categorizing people into age groups to explain the effects of predefined stations in life.
Looking for something to attribute this phenomenon, social scientists point to the further development of the prefrontal cortex that continues to develop into the early twenties. This single-factor hypothesis has scientific consensus.
But how can they be so sure that they’re correct? How did they rule out developmental socialization as a factor?
During early college years, emerging adults exercise freedom they have never experienced. Many find themselves in out of control situations, drunk, hurting themselves and others, exhibiting behavior that does not quite fit the definition of informed consensual sex.
Is this harmful behavior explained solely by underdevelopment of the prefrontal cortex, as the social scientists claim, or could the social skills be addressed by better socialization and enculturation?
Social conditions in adolescence, compared with other stages of life, have unique effects on brain and behavior that can last a lifetime. During adolescence, the brain can be developed to acquire tasks more suited towards that phase of brain development. The parts of the brain that undergo most change during adolescence govern internal control, multi-tasking and planning, self-awareness and social cognitive skills, and the understanding of others.
Traditional model of schooling and obedience prevent such skill development. This system is also not suitable for disagreeable persons, which is why it favors girls who are more agreeable than boys.
The same social scientists that point to the prefrontal cortex as a single factor cause of their newly-coined phase “emerging adulthood’ also either don’t acknowledge the fact that physiological maturation starts earlier than it did in the mid-1800’s or they do acknowledge that and claim that it’s a bad thing, warning of the dangers of “early puberty” or the more pathological-sounding “precocious puberty”, natural phenomena which they blame on obesity or hypothetical overexposure to harmful EDC’s.
Archaeological evidence shows that in modern humans, from 10,000 years BCE to the mid-1800’s, the age of onset of menses rose by roughly 6 years fro age 10 to over age 16, and has since returned closer to where it should be naturally, with good sleep and nutrition.
Menses comes with hormonal maturation and is accompanied by development of neural networks in the brain.
The physical maturation of the brain is beginning closer to where it should be, at earlier ages, closer to where it was in the Paleolithic man. Brain maturation now begins in earlier life years, closer to where it was 10,000 years BCE. This can be attributed to better health and nutrition.
Researchers have observed that maturation extends later into life, into the mid 20’s, a period of continued maturation, not a loss of ability.
Yet as brain maturation begins earlier, requisite social skills are not being concordantly exercised and developed. Children are being overprotected and prevented from developing, capturing helplessness and sealing it into the physiological development of the brain.
As physiological onset maturation improved, social and mental development worsened with neglect. Yet this phenomenon of delayed maturation is being attributed to and explained by the hypothesis related to new discoveries of neurological development.
What is the error correction mechanism? Who will be the changers? Overprotected and controlled children? Emerging adults? Where does the overprotection from “harmful ideas” end?
In the last decade, from 2011 to 2021, we have seen a drastic increase in censorship and a loss of privacy. There is an increase in the social need for psychological safety shown on platforms like facebook that protect against speech deemed “offensive”. Rather than moving in the direction of mental toughness, we are overprotecting to create fragility.
Keeping kids in protective bubbles while their brains develop physically does not give them the skills needed for mating and reproduction. Rather, protecting kids from interpersonal activities prevents them from developing the skills needed to thrive as humans — skills they desire to exercise — often against their consent.
A good parent is a good mentor. They observe the strengths, inclinations, aptitudes, interests, and weaknesses of their children to help them develop, apply themselves, and find teachers.
Good preventative measures for preventing and treating SARS-CoV-2 include raw ginger (which is antiviral), other vanilloids (capsaicin), rigorous hygiene, regular exercise, optimal vitamin D levels, optimal hGH levels, berberine, ivermectin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (and having standard injection supplies (sterile syringes, needles, bacteriostatic water, prep swabs, alcohol, etc.) on hand, to administer it at home).
Individual health varies and so do measures to treat it. One-size-fits-all solutions, such as with anything from the government, usually fail in specific cases and always fall short of the ideal. Not everything in this article applies to all persons, some of it will apply to most persons, some will apply to few.
Rest & Recovery
Sleep and the circadian system exert a strong regulatory influence on immune functions. Sufficient, regular sleep is essential. Optimize sleep.
The worst cases of COVID-19 are those with lung damage. This is caused by excessive inflammation as a response of the immune system. Breathing exercises, in addition food and medicine, can improve lung condition.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is exercise training and breathing techniques for people suffering from respiratory conditions.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a feasible, safe and effective therapeutic option in COVID-19 patients independent of disease severity.
SARS-CoV-2 accumulates in the nasopharyngeal area. The viral load can be reduced by physical washing with fresh ginger or iodine by gargling and neti pot.
For oral hygeine, use a tongue scraper, brush inside the mouth, gargle and use a water flosser.
It is important to clean all areas of the body, nose, ears, throat, and anal/rectal area.
The Claim: Gargling With Salt Water Can Ease Cold Symptoms (New York Times)
In a randomized study published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2005, researchers recruited almost 400 healthy volunteers and followed them for 60 days during cold and flu season. Some of the subjects were told to gargle three times a day. At the end of the study period, the group that regularly gargled had a nearly 40 percent decrease in upper respiratory tract infections compared with the control group, and when they did get sick, “gargling tended to attenuate bronchial symptoms,” the researchers wrote.
Nasal and sinus
Use a neti pot or, if you don’t have one, pour salt water in one nostril until it comes out the other side.
An article published in the journal Lung India stated:
“hypertonic saline gargles and nasal wash may work in preventing the disease and may also be useful in reducing nasopharyngeal viral load to provide symptomatic relief. Further, it may reduce viral shedding and reduce the transmission of the illness. This may break the chain of infection. COVID 19 disease is mild in eighty percent of patients and resolves spontaneously. Therefore, nasopharyngeal wash may be useful especially in subgroup of the population at high risk such as subjects with comorbid conditions and above 60 years of age.”
While this is not hard evidence to strongly conclude anything about the effects of neti pot usage, it provides reasonable scientific explanation of how it would helpful. It is a low cost treatment with no adverse side effects.
Photobiomodulation with red and near infrared light has been scientifically shown to significantly decrease pulmonary swelling, neutrophil influx, and generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Fresh Ginger is a mild anti-viral. It can be used to be used to purge the virus in the naso-pharyngeal area and consumed to fight respiratory viral infection.
Fresh ginger extract can be prepared by grating the fresh ginger rhizome with a small-holes cheese grater and repeatedly squeezed and soaking it in water for further extraction, and filtering it to separate the pulp. The fresh ginger extract can be mixed with honey and warm water or juices, such as apple or cherry, if desired.
An Indian analytical study published in Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FJPS) found ginger (Z. officinale), used as a viral purge, indicated good potential in reducing viral load and shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in the nasal passages. (See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7794642/)
Vanilloids such as capsaicin desensitize the TRPV1 receptor.
The TRPV1 receptor is responsible for the overexpression of inflammation in respiratory infections.
Administration of capsaicin is proven to desensitize the TRPV1 receptor leading to reduced overreaction to respiratory infection.
A paper published in Medical Drug Discovery found:—
This most recently published review ( https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medidd.2020.100033 ) looks at the tantalizing possibility of TRPV1 (The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1, also known as the capsaicin receptor or the vanilloid receptor 1) playing a substantial role in the prognosis of viral infections and in particular with COVID-19. Preclinical data suggest, and the authors posit, that COVID-19 pulmonary changes are linked to a strong immune response and an inability to ablate or dampen the immune response. Available data also indicate that inhibition of afferent activity in particular removal of TRPV1+ afferent fibers from the lung and airways can have a beneficial action on the compromised lung function and clearance of infection. Moreover, inactivation of the TRPV1+ innervation could also be “beneficial for the prevention or treatment of ventilator-associated lung injury”.
The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) studies comorbidities and etiology of asthma. In seemingly informal testing, they found “Oral capsaicin induces a very fast improvement in COVID-19 symptoms suggesting TRPV1 channel desensitization”.
Capsaicin and ginger are TRPV1 agonists (this is scientifically established).
Aside: the olfactory sense in birds (modern avian dinosaurs) detects capsaicin in the chili peppers. The birds smell them, eat them, poop out the seeds, and propagate the chili peppers. Digestive enzymes of the birds can scarify seeds and have of positive beneficial effect on their survivability and propagation.
“Many viruses can target the MAPK pathway to manipulate cellular functions and control viral replication, leading to host cell death. These pathways are also involved in inhibitory effect of BBR. In addition, BBR can inhibit inflammatory responses triggered by viruses.”
A 2021 study examined the effects of Berberine on SARS-CoV-2 found,
In conclusion, our study puts forth two small molecule compounds, BBR and OLX, as repurposed antiviral molecules against SARS-CoV-2, in doses lower than that previously shown to be safe in human clinical trials. While OLX is effective at early steps of the viral life cycle, likely interfering with entry processes, BBR acts on the later stages and it likely reduces the infectivity of newly produced virions. BBR and OLX are effective in a physiologically relevant cell culture model at low micromolar concentrations and it could be considered for further assessment.
berberine exhibits direct anti-influenza virus effects in vitro, inhibits lung inflammatory injury, and reduces the release of oxygen radicals in mice suffering from pneumonia associated with influenza virus.
Berberine also lowers blood sugar. Berberine’s cytotoxic effects make it useful to fight cancer.
Ivermectin
Ivermectin is evidently an effective treatment and prophylactic. Especially if you want to protect front line healthcare workers or anyone who has likely come in to close contact with infected persons.
“Two-dose ivermectin prophylaxis at a dose of 300 μg/kg with a gap of 72 hours was associated with a 73% reduction of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers for the following month.”
Recommended dose of Ivermectin for adults is 0.2 mg/kg orally, per day. (See: https://www.drugs.com/dosage/ivermectin.html)
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is an effective treatment for critical COVID-19 cases with comorbidities. VIP blocks replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, inhibits cytokine synthesis, and upregulates surfactant production in human pulmonary cells.
Participants received 3 successive 12-hour intravenous infusions of VIP at 50, 100, and 150 pmol/kg/hr.
Setting up an IV infusion is more complicated than IV injections.
Growth hormone can affect development, so it should only be used by adults. Older persons who have lower levels of GH may find increased benefit from a short course of a GH secretagogue.
Fermented Foods
A 2021 European regional study headed by Jean Bousquet proposed that fermented cabbage prevents the severity of COVID-19. The authors postulate many possible reasons for the regionally-observed effects, as they pertain to their area of focus, fermented cabbage.
Fermented foods inhibit nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) expression nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells NFK2 activation, citing sulforaphane, a component also found in broccoli and garlic, as a strong NFK2 inhibitor.
Fermented vegetables and spices are agonists of the antioxidant transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), and spices are transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 and vanillin 1 (TRPA1/V1) agonists. These mechanisms may explain many COVID-19 symptoms and severity. It appears that there is a synergy between Nrf2 and TRPA1/V1 foods that may explain the role of diet in COVID-19. One of the mechanisms of COVID-19 appears to be an oxygen species (ROS)-mediated process in synergy with TRP channels, modulated by Nrf2 pathways. Spicy foods are likely to desensitize TRP channels and act in synergy with exogenous antioxidants that activate the Nrf2 pathway.
Without notice or warning, Amazon removed my first and then second reviews of Theragun Pro, 4th Generation.
I still have email confirmation of my censored review.
I initially thought Amazon deleted the review to help Theragun. However, a more sinister and much larger censorship may be underway through the CCP.
The Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, controls Amazon’s ability to do business in China. If the CCP wants Amazon to silence any criticism of the CCP or of China or anything related to China, they can impose such requirements up0n Amazon or any business that operates in China.
Amazon owns half the internet, is a private company, and can censor any content that opposes its Chinese business interests. It appears that Amazon is already censoring the internet on behalf of the CCP.
All Chinese businesses are under the CCP’s iron fist, and now US businesses are, too.
Here is my review of Theragun Pro, 4th Generation:
My previous review mysteriously vanished. Perhaps it fell afoul of “community guidelines”.
It’s louder than my car. I cannot use it in my apartment at night without disturbing my neighbors. Sounds like a motorboat.
It’s advertised at 60lbs stall force, which is more than others, but not very much, really, when you think about it. If a small child were to walk on your hamstring, would it be too much? Obviously not! It’s the strongest massage gun I’ve found, but still stalls easily and overheats.
Theragun Pro is, however, stronger than the Urikar 2. The Urikar 2, in comparison, is advertised with a 55 lbs stall force but stalls out at about 7 lbs of force (standard fare lies of cheap chinese manufacturers).
Theragun Pro’s 60lbs stall force would be sufficient for smaller muscles, such as the back of the hand or the top of the foot, but since it doesn’t have any multi heads, can’t be used on those areas, and since it is insufficient for long muscles, due to the selection of single heads that come with it, that leaves it suitable for everywhere else, which is mostly just some areas of the back (low back) and pecs.
This unit, although advertised with a paltry 60lbs stall force, actually seems to stall under much less resistance, closer to 40lbs. It’s pathetically weak. At least they have a pressure meter on the cheap LCD display so you can see when it is more likely to stall.
The additional battery is a great idea. When one is dead, the other is charging. However, the battery doesn’t last long. One battery lasts me about twenty five to thirty minutes (if I could use it continuously for that long without it overheating). This could be due to the fact that I apply some pressure to it.
It overheats. The shaft leaks some sort of black oil that will leak onto your clothes or skin if you touch it. Also, if you touch it, it will burn you.
Theragun Pro emits a burning oil smell before it shuts itself off for overheating.
The shape is awkward. Try using it on your hamstrings or semimembranosus and you’ll quickly find how ironically unergonomic this therapy device is. There needs to be a way to stabilize it with the head up so that the user can rest the back or front of his thigh or his glutes on it, and it needs to be able to handle that sort of pressure without stalling.
Theragun pro is long-muscle-resistant. There is no dual or triple head attachment. This is needed for muscles like tibialis anterior, quadriceps, biceps femoris, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, brachioradialis, or any other long, thin muscle. Try applying any force to any of these, e.g. tibialis anterior (the muscle that runs down the outside of your shinbone) and experience how the single massage head bounces right off and away.
A triple head, such as on the Urikar (which is crap other than that triple head it has) is useful for massaging deltoids, kneecaps, top of foot, back of hand, along with any of the long muscles suitable for two-head massager. Theragun Pro does not include any double or triple head attachments.
The case foam stinks. It off gasses a VOC’s.
I’m probably going to return this unit. It stalls, overheats, bounces off (with a lousy selection of single heads). It is worth about $120 to me, no more.
Theragun Pro is not designed for self-use. Due to the lack of multi-head attachments, it bounces off and doesn’t work on long muscles.
I’d like to find a massage gun that I can use on myself.
Update, July 25, 2020
I reached out to Therabody and asked if they influence reviews on Amazon, where they sell products.
Therabody customer support confirmed, from management at Therabody, that Therabody has no influence on Amazon reviews. They wrote:—
Hello Garrett,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us today!
I was able to confirm with my team and they informed me that Amazon reviews the comments and takes ownership of those falling under their responsibility. This means we do not influence Amazon’s removal of reviews.
Again, thank you for contacting us, and please be sure to reach back out with any further questions! Should you require immediate service, please feel free to contact us: (866) 221-2185.
Amazon, not Therabody, censored my review. I guess Amazon is protecting their business interests by kissing up on the CCP by censoring any review with anything critical of the CCP. But Amazon won’t say. They hide their censorship agenda.
In an NPR article, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy proposes that the tech companies must stop misinformation.
Misinformation has been redefined as anything that goes against what the government social media companies say. Only they are allowed to change that narrative.
Hollywood is bowing down to China in the biggest of ways. China has the majority of the worlds movie market, so movie companies are self-censoring for access to the Chinese market. Here are some big examples of censorship.
Thanks, Laowhy86 for bringing this important cultural information about the CCP to the US!
Ginger & Capsaicin