Can Cannabis indica homeopathy help with IBS-D?

Short answer (one line):

No reliable scientific evidence shows that homeopathic preparations of Cannabis indica meaningfully help people with IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant IBS). Mechanistically, high-potency homeopathic medicines contain no measurable THC/CBD, so they cannot act like medicinal cannabis; any reported benefit is most likely a placebo or non-specific. PubMedScienceDirect

What exactly are we talking about?

• “Cannabis indica” (the plant): a species/chemovar of cannabis that contains cannabinoids (THC, CBD) and terpenes. Pharmaceutical or herbal cannabis products deliver those chemicals and can affect the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). PMC

• “Cannabis indica” in homeopathy: a homeopathic remedy made by serial dilution and succussion of a mother tincture of the plant. Typical potencies used by homeopaths (e.g., 30C) are diluted far beyond the point where any original molecules remain. Homeopathy’s claimed mechanisms (like “potentisation”) are not supported by mainstream chemistry or physiology. WikipediaScienceDirect

Important distinction: a homeopathic “Cannabis indica” remedy ≠ an herbal tincture, cannabis oil, or pharmaceutical THC/CBD product. The former does not deliver cannabinoids in measurable amounts; the latter can. WikipediaPMC

How does Ramosetron affect gut receptors?

Ramosetron is a drug that mainly targets the serotonin (5-HT) system in the gut. Serotonin isn’t just in the brain—it’s also heavily involved in controlling digestion.

• The key players:
  In the gut, there are serotonin receptors called 5-HT3 receptors. When these receptors are overly active, they can increase gut contractions, cause pain signals to fire more strongly, and trigger diarrhea.

• What Ramosetron does:
  Ramosetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. This means it blocks those receptors, preventing serotonin from overstimulating them.

• Effects in the gut:

  1. Reduces overactive contractions → helps normalize bowel movements.

  2. Lowers gut hypersensitivity → decreases abdominal pain and discomfort.

  3. Slows down intestinal transit → particularly useful in diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).

• Clinical use:
  Ramosetron is mainly prescribed in parts of Asia (like Japan and South Korea) for IBS-D. Studies show it can improve stool consistency, reduce urgency, and relieve abdominal discomfort.

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✅ In short: Ramosetron calms the gut by blocking serotonin’s overactivity at 5-HT3 receptors. This helps control diarrhea, pain, and irregular gut movement, making it useful for IBS patients with diarrhea symptoms.

Is Cheese Messing With Your Dreams and Your Metabolism?

New research says yes—to at least one of those.

First, a cheesy nightmare update...

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology surveyed over 1,000 university students and discovered something interesting: those who ate dairy foods—especially cheese—were more likely to report vivid or disturbing dreams. (Frontiers)

So, is your midnight mozzarella ritual the reason you’ve been dreaming of apocalyptic raccoons? Possibly.

The twist? Many of those who reported dream disturbances were either lactose intolerant or had gut sensitivities—suggesting it’s not just what you eat, but how your body reacts to it.

How Cheese Could Be Affecting Your Sleep

• Digestive issues like bloating or cramping from cheese can disrupt your sleep cycles, leading to more intense REM-stage dreams (aka where nightmares usually happen).

• Poor sleep quality can make you remember dreams more vividly, especially if you're waking up frequently at night.

• Cheese and other aged dairy contain tyramine, an amino acid that can stimulate the brain and raise alertness, potentially making it harder to drift into restful sleep.

But What About Cheese and Your Metabolism?

Okay, let’s zoom out for a second. Is cheese always the villain?

The Good News

Studies show that when consumed in moderation, cheese can offer:

• Protein and essential nutrients: Cheese is rich in calcium, vitamin B12, and zinc, all of which support bone health, energy metabolism, and immune function.

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Found in full-fat dairy, CLA may help with fat metabolism and muscle maintenance, according to research in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

• Satiety and weight management: High-protein cheeses like cottage cheese or parmesan may actually help you feel fuller longer, reducing the need for late-night snacking. (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

⚠️ The Not-So-Great News

Eating too much cheese (especially processed or full-fat types) has potential downsides:

1. High in saturated fats

   • Saturated fat intake is linked to higher LDL cholesterol, which may affect cardiovascular health.

   • While recent studies nuance this (not all saturated fats are created equal), moderation is still key.

2. Salt overload

   • Many cheeses—especially aged varieties like feta, cheddar, and blue—contain significant sodium, which can strain kidneys and elevate blood pressure.

3. May affect insulin sensitivity

   • Overconsumption of full-fat dairy might impact insulin response and glucose metabolism in some individuals, though results vary. (BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care)

4. Hormonal effects from excess dairy

   • A few studies suggest that dairy hormones (like IGF-1) might influence weight gain or acne in sensitive people—particularly teens and young adults.

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So... Should You Quit Cheese?

Not necessarily. Cheese isn’t a dream killer or a metabolic bomb—unless you overdo it or have a sensitivity.

Here’s what nutritionists generally recommend:

Tip	Why It Helps
🕘 Avoid cheese close to bedtime	Minimizes digestive sleep disruption
🧀 Opt for fermented cheeses	Better for gut health, often easier to digest
🥛 Choose dairy wisely	Prefer low-sodium, lower-fat, less processed versions
🧘‍♀️ Listen to your body	Notice patterns in sleep, skin, digestion, or energy after cheese-heavy meals

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Aged 15 to 45? Here’s What You Can Take Away:

• Teen or student? Your metabolism is fast, but dairy sensitivities often show up first in your 20s.

• Young adult? This is when hormonal acne or weight gain might be influenced by your cheese intake.

• In your 30s or 40s? Your digestion slows, so your gut response to dairy may change even if you handled it fine before.

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A Dream-Friendlier, Metabolism-Safer Cheese Strategy:

• ✔ Try goat cheese or sheep cheese if cow’s milk causes discomfort.

• ✔ Sprinkle cheese on meals—don’t make it the main course.

• ✔ Balance dairy with fiber-rich foods like greens or legumes to keep digestion smooth.

• ✔ And of course, hydrate! Cheese is dehydrating, especially the saltier kinds.

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TL;DR: Cheese Isn’t Evil—but Your Body May Have a Say

You don’t need to break up with cheese, just get to know it better.
If your late-night snacking is haunting your dreams—or your digestion—maybe it’s time to rethink your dairy game.

And hey—if you do dream about cheese... just hope it’s brie and not blue cheese chasing you. 🧀💭😱

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Let me know if you'd like this adapted for Instagram carousels, a blog format, or YouTube script style (e.g. for an explainer video). I can also generate an infographic or dream-friendly cheese chart!

Recalling First Few Days of Returning to Work [April 2022]

Returning to work has been a somewhat unexpected journey for the last 3 months, and it continues to be a bit disruptive, and a bit of relief at the same time. The first week in the more-than-familiar office cabin was slightly suffocating. The COVID wave hadn't subsided when we were called back, and there was every reason to feel apprehensive. With just the senior managers and the upper hierarchy called in, the team, people who contribute to the dense headcount at our office was nowhere to be seen.

Just to share some insight about my personal struggles to keep wearing the mask, I have been claustrophobic since I was around 17, and I have been on & off anxiety medications for more than a decade. Being grounded at home due to the pandemic, having just become a father to a baby girl, also took a toll in some way though, at many levels, I am also thankful for giving me the opportunity to be there when the little monkey was gifted to us.

Anxiety | Mental Health | Lionel Messi - It Happens to the Best!

This discussion about mental health, anxiety, and how being anxious chronically can happen to the best, people as good and great as Lionel Messi, is inspired by this article by Adam Alter, on Ideas.Ted.com

For many people, when celebrities talk about mental health issues, it becomes a bit easier to comprehend the problem and understand that it can happen to anybody irrespective of the amount of inherent talent or the fandom that comes with being the best in anything, ranging from movies to soccer. The latter has its smart, Messi, whose psychological challenges of holding up his performance in the middle of a growing, global fan following. The problems with Messi' preparedness for the big stage have been doing the rounds for some time. Reports suggest that he usually vomits and according to some sources, his vomiting is a bit of a chronic thing that tends to happen en route to a big match. It was in 2014 that reports emerged about Messi showing symptoms of vomiting and perhaps, the condition being associated with trouble in handling anxiety.

For those who have IBS in the times of Corona Pandemic

If you have a history of IBS, it is most likely that no one and I mean not even the most qualified physician out there, would have been able to fully understand your set of symptoms -  that is the problem with IBS, it is highly symptomatic and very unpredictable. That is how complicated IBS can be but strangely, despite all the medicinal and guidance-based support, nobody really understands what the sufferer is put through. At this time, when the Corona scare is at its worst, you need to double-up your layers of protection to ensure a flare-up is prevented. For starters, the Corona global pandemic is about a lot of cynical views around you - don't let this get you into that space where you start believing that the world is coming to an end. It looks like it but in reality, we will bounce back - everyday folks like you and me and the governments that are responsible for protecting us. Don't read too much into how much worse it can get. The idea is to control your anxiety levels on a daily basis since right now when the more normal Joe seems to be slightly frantic.

Reviewing I am All Girls on Netflix India

I am All Girls is perhaps one of the most underrated movies on Netflix India. There is every reason the channel and more so, its marketing team should have promoted this title a bit more. Even the online ratings seem a bit poorly done, underestimating the subject tackled in the movie and the manner in which the story has been told. I am All Girls may or may not be for family viewing depending upon how your ecosystem handles movies that are a bit graphic about subjects as sensitive as child abuse, child pornography, child trafficking, and the system that feeds off young girls taken off the streets, taking a toll on their families, and ruining lives without any logic to it.

The Starling Movie Review [Netflix India OTT]

The Starling is a decent effort if you are not looking for Oscar-winning performances. Not that Kevin Kline and Melissa McCarthy don't do a great job, they have performed rather well but yes, there are places where the movie fails to live up to its expectations. The story of a couple who is dealing with the loss of their child is told rather well. While Melissa has taken the quiet, let us not talk about it sort of approach, her husband turns suicidal and has to be admitted to a facility for mental wellness. The movie shows the massive difference between the approach the couple undertakes to deal with their sense of loss.

Movie Review for The Old Ways on Netflix India OTT

Keep your expectations real - The Old Ways does not have a premium starcast or the directorial credentials that make it an obvious pick during your work-from-life. However, like many horror flicks and gore movie plots that performed rather well with their directors and lead performers later blossoming into bigger names in the industry, The Old Ways does many things right to impress. The best part is that it wastes no time in revealing the storyline without unnecessarily stretching it. The first shot happens to be in the room where the supposedly possessed lady has been chained. Yes, this movie too is about possessions and being taken over by ghosts when you venture into the badlands and lesser-visited areas. The story is not too dramatic but it is told at a good pace. There is no time to take a popcorn break as Cristina realizes that her body has been taken over, and then gets on a quest to get rid of the unwanted spirit, and later, become a witch doctor lady of sorts herself. The entire movie presents just about four or five faces. There is no melodrama or too many special effects. This is a good movie if you like a lightweight horror flick where the fear is in the victim's eyes rather than computer-generated graphics. Combine the basic plot with a bit of sorcery and tales that only some village folks would know about, and The Old Ways comes up with a decent concoction. Highly recommended if you don't like to watch something too scary before going to bed but still want to see something that spooks you a little. A good effort overall, and it also makes me wonder why Netflix India has not been promoting or recommending this movie in any way. Perhaps, their content spotting team needs to do a better job of looking at their own inventory of decent movies and recommending it when a browser chooses the genre-based filter.

Online Shopping Review for Mr. Bowerbird Apparels on Myntra

This review comes after three purchases and some really close inspection - there is a brand on Myntra, called Mr. Bowerbird, and I am pretty sure that the softness and overall quality of the fabric it offers, is right up there with some of the luxury brands, and close competitors like H&M. I had been tracking their inventory options for some time. The prices were usually a bit inflated - at least, that is what I felt about the sticker tags. But in the last 10 days or so, the prices have been really cut down. It must be one of those discount schemes that I seldom understand but yes, it gave me the opportunity to order a bit from this niche brand.