A Great Alternative to Kick a Habit

A Great Help to Kick a HabitTo help out smokers in their battle to control the habit, an electronic cigarette can come in handy. Also called an e-cigarette or personal vaporizer, this is considered an alternative to actual cigarettes. It involves the use of an electronic inhaler which converts a liquid solution into vapor, copying the manner of tobacco smoking. In some places, e-cigarettes are sold as aids to stop smoking or as a replacement for actual tobacco.

There are definite similarities between the electronic version and the standard cigarette. This includes the physical design and the release of nicotine which can be at the same level of a regular cigarette. Most versions allow the user to control the amount of nicotine that is released and individuals who are serious about kicking the habit choose not to use any nicotine at all. An e-cigarette often includes the following parts:

• Cartridge: This is a plastic container that serves both as the mouthpiece and a container for the nicotine. It facilitates the transfer of the liquid to the atomizer without any spills. A lot of models contain a sponge to help keep the liquid in place although there are refillable containers that be used interchangeably when the original one is empty. One cartridge can have the same level of nicotine as 40 cigarettes.

• Atomizer: This part houses the heating coil which turns the liquid into vapor. It is usually made up of a filament and a wick that draws the liquid inside. It is located in the middle of the cylinder. Over time, the process of lighting up will cause an accumulation of sediment in the unit and will require the filament to be replaced.

Models that are designed to look like real cigarettes are often made by housing the atomizer and cartridge together in one compartment.

• Battery: Because these gadgets are made to be carried around, they often come with a rechargeable battery. This is the biggest part of the cigarette and it includes an airflow sensor which responds to drawing a breath, to trigger the process of heating up. Some units come with a switch that should be held to turn the unit on. Battery units can be charged through a car outlet, a USB or through an AC outlet

The Niacin Drug Test Myth: True or False?

The Niacin drug test myth is a widely popular myth about niacin being effective in flushing out the drugs in your system so that when you take a drug test, the results will be negative. In order to shed light on the niacin drug test myth, we should first know what niacin is. Niacin is actually vitamin B3 and was the third B complex vitamin discovered. Reportedly, it plays a vital role in the proper functioning of various body systems since more than 50 chemical processes that occur in our body make use of it.

 

Among the many benefits of niacin is its ability to aid the body in breaking down cholesterol and fat that have accumulated over time in your blood. It is likewise used for preventing and treating niacin deficiency or pellagra, which is a disorder caused by insufficient diet and related health issues. It is widely available in local pharmacies and health food shops and you can buy it without a prescription.

Most people believe that the popularity surrounding the niacin drug test myth was most probably based on the ability of niacin to positively affect the body’s fatty tissues. Because niacin is important in proper metabolism of fat, doctors usually prescribe it in higher dosages for patients who have abnormally high triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Based on this, plenty of drug users believe the niacin drug test myth to be true since if it can flush out fat and cholesterol, it can also do so with illegal drugs, most especially with marijuana. Because the psychoactive toxins of marijuana are stored in fat tissues, the toxins stay in the body longer.

 

niacin drug testAccording to health experts, the theory behind the niacin drug test myth is actually a good one. On the other hand, to test if the myth is true, one would have to take a mega dose of vitamin B3, and this so-called mega dose is not recommended for human consumption since overdosing may be lethal. Additionally and more importantly, there is no scientific evidence that the niacin drug test myth works. For adults, the recommended intake for niacin daily is around 15 mg so you can just imagine the side effects that overdosing can bring.

Among the common side effects include a host of skin conditions which include flushing or redness of the skin. Reportedly, those who take niacin to pass drug tests believe niacin’s flushing action is significantly responsible for removing the THC or tetrahydrocannabinol in their bloodstream. It is difficult to understand this from a scientific standpoint since no evidence is currently available to support this claim. The side effects of niacin overdose can be possibly reversed over time, but be warned that it can result in acute liver failure since there is evidence that consuming 2 grams of niacin or higher can be toxic.

In conclusion, although niacin is very capable of flushing out excess fat and cholesterol from your body, it is not effective in flushing out drug molecules. This means that the niacin drug test myth is just a myth after all. In addition, not only does overdosing on niacin fail in achieving the desired outcome, which is pass a drug test with flying colors, it can also bring more harm to your body than good.

 

7 Hair Drug Test Facts

Before you read about the 7 hair drug test facts included in this article, you should first know what a hair drug test is. In a hair drug test, the ingestion or consumption of drugs will be effectively revealed via the analysis of your hair sample. Hair drug testing kits are capable of measuring a variety of drug molecules that are embedded in your hair shaft which in turn gets rid of external contaminants as the basis for a positive drug test result. Below are some hair drug test facts you should know:

1. According to scientific studies, a hair drug test exposes around four to eight times the amount of drug users as compared to a urine drug test due mainly the duration time being longer. This is one of those hair drug test facts to really keep in mind.

hair drug test facts

2. Five classes of drugs are authorized by the government for testing. These include Amphetamines such as Methamphetamine, Ecstasy or MDMA, MDA, Cocaine, PCP such as phencyclidine, Marijuana, and Opiates such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone, heroin, and hydromorphone, etc.

3. A typical hair drug test covers a time period of around 90 days, but may also be dependent on your hair’s growth rates. Samples of hair should be cut as closely as you can, with the newest growth around 1 ½ inches to be used for testing. However, going back farther than 90 days may also be possible because the duration is actually only restricted by a hair sample’s length, with 90 days as the standard.
hair drug test facts4. The hair from your body can also be utilized for hair drug testing although the growth patterns of body hair differ from the hair from your head. It is important to note however that the majority of hair from the body will be replaced with new hair growth within a year.

5. Exposure to secondhand drug smoke such as crack or marijuana will not affect the results of the hair drug test. In addition, results of hair drug testing won’t be easily and considerably modified by using special bleaches, hair dyes, shampoos, or other chemical agents.

6. An estimated 90-120 hair strands or over 60 mg of hair is needed for a typical test. The amount will generally vary depending on the hair type you have, whether you have thin or thick hair.

7. This is also one of those hair drug test facts that you have to remember. It will take approximately 5 days to one week for affected hair to grow out, with body hair taking a little longer. In general, since the growth rate of body hair is slower, it can’t be used for establishing time frame for drug usage.

What is Urine Drug Testing?

urine drug testingUrine drug testing is performed for detecting illegal or prescription drugs in a person’s urine. With this type of drug test, the following drug classes will be detected: Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Cocaine, Opiates, Methaqualone, Methadone, Cannabinoids, Propoxyphene, and Phencyclidine.

When undergoing urine drug testing, you should preferably collect a urine sample described as ‘midstream’ or ‘clean catch’. For this, females should meticulously wash the portion between their labia with water and soap or feminine wash and rinse thoroughly. Males on the other hand must wipe the head of their penis clean either with cotton and alcohol or a moist towel.

 

Once you begin urinating, permit a tiny amount of urine to be released into the bowl so that impurities from your urethra will be washed away. Afterwards, collect around 1 to 2 ounces of urine at least in a clean and clear container and place it in the clinic’s specimen sample bin—just make sure that your container has been properly labeled.

Depending on the clinic where you’re taking the urine drug testing, some may require that you remove your clothes and wear an issued hospital gown. Likewise, the actual urine collection may take place either in a typical bathroom with or without someone standing guard, or a room without access to water and your personal belongings. This is typically done so that you won’t have a chance to use somebody else’s sample or dilute your urine sample.

You urine sample will then be evaluated by a lab technician. Like a typical urinalysis, urine drug testing usually has two stages: the physical exam and the chemical exam. In the physical exam, your urine’s clarity, color, concentration, and specific gravity will be assessed, while in the chemical exam, your urine will be tested for the presence of all or one particular drug. A third stage, the microscopic exam, may also be included in some cases. This exam determines casts, cells, and others such as bacteria and mucus.

urine drug testing

 

The techniques for analysis include high performance (or pressure) liquid chromatography, immunoassay analysis, and GCMS or gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. In the event that your urine tests positive for illegal drugs, a GCMS is usually performed for a more accurate confirmation.

There are people who try to manipulate a urine drug testing procedure by consuming large quantities of water. However, the clinic usually counteracts this by not taking the sample because of lack of color or by accepting the urine sample but flagging it and subjecting it to the specific gravity exam. If your urine sample is rejected, you will have to submit more until the clinic is convinced that your urine is generally qualified for testing.

Pros and Cons of Different Drug Screening Test Types

A drug screening test is a standard procedure used to measure levels or detect the existence of a specific drug or drugs in a person’s system. It can be utilized for determining people who use prescription or illegal drugs. Depending on the drug screening test, an individual’s urine, hair, sweat, oral fluids, or blood may be used as a sample for testing.

 

Urine Drug Test

A urine drug screen test is believed to garner reliable test results and is also one of the more affordable drug screening test types. It is also very flexible since it can detect a wide variety of drug classes, which can include nicotine and alcohol. However, urine samples can be easily diluted or tampered with and have a limited detection window of around 1-5 days.

drug screening test

 

Hair Drug Test

Also considered as one of the more reliable drug testing methods, a hair drug screen test is more stable and is capable of measuring chronic usage of drugs. It is likewise capable of detecting the combination of cocaine and alcohol use and is harder to adulterate than urine samples. The detection window is also very long since it can detect 90 days of drug usage in majority of cases. It is however more pricey, not suitable for detecting alcohol use, and limited to detecting five drug classes. It also can’t detect recent usage, such as a day to a week before the test.

 

Perspiration / Sweat Patch Drug Test

Considered the most non-invasive drug screening test methods available, it is the easiest to conduct, has a longer detection window than urine, and can be removed within 1-7 days. It is also capable of determining very low levels of drugs even 2-5 hours prior to testing. On the other hand, only a couple of labs can process test results and it is not suitable for individuals passively exposed to drugs and those with cuts, scratches, excessive hair, and skin eruptions.

drug screening test

 

Oral Fluids Drug Test

Also one of the easiest drug tests to conduct since sample collection can be done anywhere. It is capable of reflecting recent use of drugs and alcohol, and has a detection window of 10-24 hours. However, it is not suitable for testing marijuana use and drugs and their metabolites don’t stay oral samples as long as in urine.

 

Blood Drug Test

Although considered the most intrusive and priciest of all drug screening test options, it also garners the most accurate results. It is also very hard to cheat the test since a lab technician or someone similar will be personally getting the blood sample. Depending on the amount of marijuana ingested, blood testing can determine drug use within 6 hours after last use.