Yeah, I do generally feel that way, the war on drugs has had terrible side effects. But I also think consumer protection is important, lots of kids hitting the ER from the legal fake weed - K2, Spice, .... Salvia divinorum packets at head shops are expensive, but available to anyone over 18, so health professionals need to know how to handle any bad reactions to this new recreational substance. I tried smoking it for the first (and likely only) time last weekend with a friend, so that I could talk about this plant with more experience. It was nothing like the guy in this video experienced, it put a 2 hour electric edge on my reality that was never frightening, but a bit unsettling at times, pleasant at others. I felt no urge to do it again or any negative effects afterward or the next day (actually, very clearheaded next am). Still, I read stories of kids falling into depersonalization/derealization mind states for months after salvia use, so it isn't completely benign for some. Here is a link that might be useful: Salvia divinorum and depersonalization/derealization

Hi Guys Thank you for taking the time to reply to me and give me your honest advice. I apologise if I offended anyone for posting on the wrong board but in my desperation I found the closest to what I could and just posted my info. Anyway, thee advice you give is very similar to that of friends. I wanted some independent advice as people who are involved can often have clouded opinions (me included) but it certainly gives me some comfort to hear that I should trust in what I believe is right for me. I have been made to feel stupid and second guess what I feel and been made to feel guilty for not agreeing to my family's wishes so it certainly helps to hear that you guys would go with your heart and gut feeling too. It received a call from my mum on chistmas eve telling me she will never be part of my life as long as my boyfriend is as she can't stand knowing that when she sees me I will be going back home to him. And this meant I wasn't with my family on Christmas Day which hurt so much. I guess if anything it made me think they are more passionate about sticking to their opinions than having me in their life which is really sad .

Stargazzer, some bodies will tolerate anything, and we hope yours is one of them. Like most debates involving foods and food "enhancements," this is not just a question of "Will this kill me?" but more of "How will it impact my quality of life?" For some people, apparently there's no impact. For others, the impact can range from slight to huge. But Pris stated the bottom line well. Whether we believe the emails about aspartame or not, the fact is a compelling amount of empirical evidence exists that leads us to the conclusion that it can be damaging. I can add my own: As I've stated here before, when aspartame first came out, I fell for the reassuring name (NutraSweet--how clever these marketing people!) and tried it. I soon figured out that it gave me instant joint pain. One of my daughters found it gave her migraines. And that's the truth.

"Second roadblock is that my dad's increasing mental illness is making it impossible for us to stay in the house I inherited from my mother. Since dad bought it and owned it, he is harassing us constantly even though he no longer lives there." With the stipulation that it's none of my business ;), the above statement is one of the major issues you mention repeatedly in your discussions of what is stressing you. I"m wondering how the situation occurred; were your parents divorced? In most marital inheritance situations the surviving spouse inherits the home so not sure why you inherited a mother's house while father is still alive. Regardless one step you can take is to get out of there and cut the financial dependence toxic string. Your father literally is in control of the roof over your head so severing that control seems to be a very important and necessary first step. And then Pinkmountain, I strongly suggest you find a good therapist. Reading this topic and the other one you started recently, there seems to be an incredible stew of negativity in your life and you seem to find reasons that you have to continue to season, stir and nourish yourself on that stew. You can't disassociate yourself from your father, you can't plan a simple wedding that won't stress you out more, etc etc. I'm not writing this to slam you although it may feel that way. But in life, when we get into a damaging loop of emotional and decision making that is guaranteed to keep us miserable and/or make us more so.....I think it's time to get some help. If nothing else you can ask about anticipatory caregiving stress which is clearly a huge issue for you--it's worrying about a future that, frankly, you cannot control and which may not even happen. You are spending huge amounts of time resenting your father for what you THINK is going to happen to him--and you have absolutely no say in his decisions that will lead him along his life path, whatever it may be. You do however have complete control of how you will and can deal with his decisions, and therapy can help you figure out how you get clarity on not only those boundaries but on how you can live within them at peace with yourself. Personally I liken it to taking the car in if it's not running right or going to the doctor to get medicine that will cure my body if I'm ill. Emotional and personal misery can be helped, and there may even be a physical component. Meds and therapy can be an incredibly helpful combination, or therapy alone. Regardless we all know the definition of insanity: doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome. Continuing to agonize while staying stuck in a financial, family or life decision cycle that is negative is never going to get you into a better place. Good luck, I truly hope you find a way to get peace and joy back in your life.