Posts by Dana Brooks3

https://www.facebook.com/minzdravlja...4309396519344/

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Harold Baker67 said:I honestly feel it’s only fair that we finally get some granular data on how this illness actually presents itself in people.
And while we're at it, I think it would be helpful if someone could clearly explain why wearing a face mask isn't being treated as an effective defense over in Hong Kong.

Do you follow the IRS website?...

There are different types of protective masks out there. The ones with straps are really intended for medical professionals who have been trained to use them properly while treating patients...

Surgical masks aren't really there to protect you... they're meant to protect everyone else from you, if you happen to be contagious...

Thomas Cook said:Yep. Sweden is on its knees while we're sitting right at the top of the food chain. Honestly, it’s no wonder things are such a mess for us right now.

The whole world is in a coma, totally unprepared... 😁

Five years ago...

Only Mexico is prepared... 😁 The most effective way to handle this: if you deny the virus exists, then it doesn't...

I mean, when people from high-infection areas have been moving through this country unchecked for weeks—and they’re still coming in without any isolation requirements—it makes me wonder if anyone is actually being tested. And the best solution our health officials can come up with is just... "Go stay in the countryside"... 😁I believe there could be an honorable example set here on how to handle such a complex epidemiological situation... 🙄

Brenda Alvarez24 said:Advertising is more powerful than anything else; it overrides judgment, scientific facts, medical advice, and rational thought.

I agree.
Everyone should watch that episode of Dr. J where the pathologist spends weeks unable to find the cause of death, only to realize her obsession with health was what actually killed her... a whole collection of colorful pills was found, just blindly taking every popular supplement and multivitamin, which ended up having the exact opposite effect and cost her her life...

Back in the day, my doctor in New York used to prescribe me Neurobion f, explaining exactly how and why, so I knew how potent it was and stayed careful with it, much like how I handle Milgam now... but here, you can just pick up Neurobion over the counter at some pharmacy next to a cosmetics shop... no big deal...😁

Jacob Lopez51 said:Supposedly, too much B6 causes those symptoms. My B12 was at 500, and my D was 16.

I like the look of this Nerufort, where can I pick some up? Thanks for the tip.

Oh, I see you're from Belgrade, is it available on iHerb?

I've been taking 5000IU of Healthy Origins daily for a year now, but haven't seen much improvement...

I'm not from Belgrade, I buy it at a pharmacy in Mexico.
Maybe they have it in America.
eBay or Amazon? You'll definitely find it, just avoid buying directly from the manufacturer. People rave about the supplement itself, but they complain about the service—orders don't arrive, customer support is terrible... Check one of those sites instead. Yeah, it's a really good supplement...

Jacob Lopez51 said:It’s possible. Those sensations like electric shocks, tingling, or pins and needles... they probably happen when dopamine levels drop. I take L-tyrosine with 20% CBD and either B-complex 100 or Solgar multivitamins, and somehow I manage... it feels better. Even a small improvement with these symptoms makes a huge difference.

Hmm, did you know you can actually get those symptoms from having too much of certain B vitamins?

Don't go taking extreme doses of anything on your own for long periods... I really don't think that's a good idea. Just because it's a vitamin doesn't mean it can't be harmful... especially multivitamins, since you rarely need everything all at once, and some minerals shouldn't be taken as supplements for extended periods... You never know how much calcium is in there, and Vitamin D therapy could spike those levels too... It can end up being hard on your kidneys and stuff...

Maybe try taking a break from all the multis and B vitamins to see what happens, or just lower the dosage?

I use Nerufort (HealthAid), which has more of those amino acids that are good for the nerves. I think higher concentrations of B, specifically B1 and B6... should be prescribed by a doctor, and even then, not for too long... I am on B vitamin therapy, but it was prescribed specifically—how much, how often, and what...

Jacob Lopez51 said:What else could be tested? I’m heading back to New York soon for a full workup, so I'll check thyroid antibodies, cortisol, testosterone, immunoglobulins, and B12 and Vitamin D levels.

Apparently, tons of people are Vitamin D deficient without even knowing it. Internists and endocrinologists don't seem to give it much thought. Just order at least 5000IU from Amazon and call it a day... check levels when needed.

I take therapeutic Vitamin D in drops, just as my endocrinologist prescribes, and I feel fine. It took me over six months to treat my deficiency until I finally hit the lower limit. I get checked twice a year, and they set my maintenance doses.

You probably need a solid immunologist to listen to you, review everything, and order the right tests. Then you can decide if you actually need an endocrinologist, a neurologist, or a rheumatologist...

Jacob Lopez51 said:It’s not Vitamin D. These symptoms feel more like a B12 deficiency or maybe too much B6. I haven't checked my B6 levels yet. My D was at 16, and I've been taking 10,000 IU for a year now without any real improvement. I'm curious to see where it stands after four weeks when I finally get bloodwork done. The biggest relief has come from 20% CBD resin.
90% of people dealing with anxiety have a significant Vitamin D deficiency...

It doesn't seem related to serotonin since SSRIs don't work for me. I'd say it's more tied to dopamine. The BFS, the paresthesia...

I also have this weird thing happen whenever I get tattooed. Every single time, the artist has to go over it twice with different needles. They tell me either I'm anemic or something else is missing. It's a one-in-nine-hundred chance... you just skip getting tattoos altogether. It's like my skin gradually rejects the pigment.

There aren't any easy fixes. You just have to accept the symptoms and push through. For me, CBD, a little tyrosine, and Solgar multivitamins help enough to keep me going...

A level of 16 isn't good; the lower limit should be closer to 75. An endocrinologist should look into this—check your vitamin levels and hormones, like PTH, which is linked to Vitamin D. Serious deficiencies should be managed by a specialist following a specific protocol. I wouldn't take multivitamins blindly; you don't want to cause more harm. It's better to find out exactly what you're lacking and target it based on a doctor's advice. Too much of certain things can be an issue, and some shouldn't be taken long-term...

It looks like the Mayo Clinic is making progress

My unusual immune-related neuropathy specialist told me I’d never get a clear answer here in the States. She actually suggested I travel to Belgrade for specific tests they can't do here, and she recommended seeing Dr. Apostolski. It just crossed my mind that I never actually went... Well, you could always Google him and try to find his contact info to see what people are saying.

I went through something very similar where nothing seemed to work and nobody could figure out what was actually happening. It turns out my Vitamin D levels were incredibly low—down to an 8. Once I started addressing that deficiency, things finally began to improve. I still get occasional Milgamme injections, though that deficit left me with some chronic issues I'm still managing... I also have to stay on top of my immune system since my clarity isn't always there. But the worst part is over, at least regarding the paresthesia, dysesthesia, and all that.

briskcanyon13 said:I am curious whether it is actually possible to contract an illness from a package arriving from China. Specifically, I am wondering how long a pathogen can survive outside of a living host once it's been shipped elsewhere.
I receive quite a lot of mail from China since I frequently purchase items on eBay and Wish.
Best regards,

That's not possible. Just check the info on the WHO website.

loneridge88 said:Don't take this personally, but I don't see any other way to handle this. We keep circling the same drain, and you just keep repeating the same mistakes. Since you clearly don't find my own writing credible, I have no choice left but to just copy directly from Wikipedia.
The foundation consists of four Vedas: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda, and the Atharvaveda. Each of these is broken down into four primary categories: the Samhitas (which contain mantras and blessings), the Aranyakas (covering rituals, ceremonies, and symbolic sacrifices), the Brahmanas (serving as commentaries on those rites), and the Upanishads (focusing on meditation, philosophy, and spiritual insight). Some scholars also include a fifth category known as the Upasanas, which focuses on worship.

Different branches of Indian philosophy hold varying views regarding the Vedas. Those philosophical schools that recognize the Vedas as their primary scriptural authority are categorized as "orthodox." On the other hand, other spiritual traditions—like Buddhism, Jainism, and the various śramaṇa movements—that don't view the Vedas as authoritative are labeled "heterodox." Even with these fundamental disagreements, much like the texts found in the śramaṇa traditions, the different layers within the Vedas explore many of the same core ideas and concepts.

The Vedas are classified as śruti—meaning "that which is heard"—which sets them apart from other religious texts known as smṛti, or "that which is remembered." For traditional scholars of Hinduism, the Vedas are viewed as divine revelations perceived by ancient sages through deep meditation, and they have been meticulously preserved since antiquity. According to the Mahabharata, the creation of the Vedas is attributed to Brahma. The Vedic hymns themselves claim they were masterfully crafted by the Rishis through inspired creativity, much like a skilled carpenter building a chariot.

The Vedas stand as some of the most ancient sacred texts in existence. The Samhitas originated roughly between 1700 and 1100 BC, while the surrounding texts and the final editing of the Samhitas took place around 1000 to 500 BC. This defines the Vedic period, stretching from the mid-2nd millennium BC to the mid-1st millennium BC—essentially covering the transition from the Late Bronze Age to the Iron Age. The Vedic period truly hits its stride following the composition of the mantra texts. During this time, various schools established themselves across Northern India, adding Brahmana commentaries to explain the meanings within the mantra Samhitas. This era eventually concludes during the time of Buddha and Panini, coinciding with the emergence of the Mahajanapadas (which archaeologists identify by the presence of Northern Black Polished Ware). Michael Witzel suggests a timeline ranging from approximately 1500 BC to 500–400 BC. He highlights the Mitanni material from the Near East in the 14th century BC as the only epigraphic evidence contemporary to the Rigveda. Furthermore, he uses 150 BC (the era of Patañjali) as the point before which all Vedic Sanskrit literature must have existed, and identifies 1200 BC—the start of the early Iron Age—as the earliest possible date for the Atharvaveda.

Pay close attention to this part -
The Purana is a massive genre of encyclopedic Indian literature covering everything from ancient myths and legends to various types of traditional lore.[148] Many of these texts are actually named after major deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi.[149][150] In total, there are 18 Maha Puranas (Great Puranas) and 18 Upa Puranas (Minor Puranas), spanning more than 400,000 verses.

The Purana has had a profound influence on Indian culture.[151][152] These works are considered Vaidika, meaning they align with the Vedas.[153] Among them, the Bhagavata Purana stands out as one of the most celebrated and widely read texts in the genre, characterized by its non-dualistic perspective.[154][155] This literature became deeply intertwined with the Bhakti movement in India, and both Dvaita and Advaita scholars have written extensively on the core Vedanta themes found within the Maha Puranas.

The Vedas represent a philosophy that requires a lifetime of study. You can't master them in five years, or even twenty. Brahmans spend the majority of their lives studying for the sake of Brahman itself.

Luckily, you have Wikipedia at your fingertips, so you'll move a bit faster.

Peter Phillips32 said:That wouldn’t be "awesome," actually—instead of just following my lead (which, let’s be real, is basically what cult leaders and recruiters do when they try to get you to buy into their specific brand of nonsense), I’m throwing out a story that’s nothing like those fairy-tale fantasies of yours.

Honestly, you seem so disconnected from how life actually functions; you’re missing the sheer variety of ideas that actually drive rational thought, probably because you haven't spent enough time wrestling with different perspectives in real-world situations.

Your whole vibe is this incredibly mainstream-hipster, hippie-style naive optimism, which just makes your take on the world around you look ridiculously oversimplified.

ps.
This isn't some personal blog where we can dump uninspiring, textbook-level anecdotes in any random category outside of the little literary nook, nor is it Facebook where anyone gives a damn about tracking someone's individual cultural or worldview evolution. This forum exists for actual discussion—for putting ideas and thoughts out there to be challenged.

Well, that depends entirely on how you plan to pull it off. If you’re planning on flying too close to the sun because you’re too ignorant or naive to see the actual limits of your own influence, then by all means, go join a religion or find a spiritual guru.

Or, is the other path just too much work for you?

That’s just not the right tone or approach...
Shameful...

Hi, restlessdriver42, glad to have you here... 🙂

That was moved over from Philosophy, likely from their own thread, and probably their mod, Executioner, gave it that title...

The same thing happened with the thread about Apemant.

Pretty funny, I guess... 😳

Brandon Mitchell said:Haha, damn it, I haven't understood a single thing here! It's just like me saying I've never been into any spiritual talk, so I can barely wrap my head around it, but there's my two cents...🙂

😁

It’s not your fault you didn't get it, it's mine for not being clear enough😉

The point is, everything that confused you sounded like nonsense for a reason. It was pulled from a context where it might have made more sense, or at least sounded less like gibberish.
For instance, imagine someone looking at a plastic cake in a bakery window and tells you—that cake doesn't exist.
You're standing there looking at it with them, thinking they're trying to drive you crazy. Makes sense.
But maybe they didn't mean there's nothing there; they meant the cake is plastic, so it isn't a "real" cake, therefore the cake doesn't exist.
Then someone else might tell you that even a real cake doesn't exist until you eat it. Since a cake is sweet, and you haven't tasted the sweetness yet, the cake isn't truly there until you experience it.
One person identifies their language with the cake itself (because their taste buds are experiencing it), while another realizes it's just a sensation created by those taste buds, and so on.

They aren't the most vivid examples, but... hopefully that clears things up a bit🤷

Maybe someone will come up with a better, more complete analogy... that's all from me🙂

Brandon Mitchell said:So, I was reading somewhere that everything physically surrounding us is actually just an illusion. Honestly, that sounds a little insane to me. It makes me wonder what "reality" even means, because trying to identify myself as some kind of infinite consciousness feels totally out of reach. To me, everything boils down to the body and the mind. I wouldn't go identifying my spirit with some abstract soul or any of those similar concepts, because at the end of the day, it’s all just brain chemistry and psychological states. One is inextricably linked to the other and they both function in tandem, so trying to separate them feels like nothing more than pure fantasy. I don't see how that could possibly be real, so... I guess you guys can weigh in? I've never really been into spiritual circles or anything, so I don't actually know the full depth behind these ideas. I've dabbled in looking into Buddhism and Krishnaism here and there, but that's about it. I'm not a believer in God.

It doesn't have anything to do with believing in God. It doesn't necessarily require it.

The idea refers to the illusion created by an undifferentiated or unliberated consciousness—basically, an individual consciousness that fails to distinguish itself from the various organs used to perceive the world. Consequently, it doesn't distinguish itself from the world that it constructs through its own mental preconceptions.
Consciousness without an "observer," a watcher, or a witness...
In that sense, the "I" is illusory because it fails to differentiate the Self from the surrounding world, merging them instead—but that world lacks such ownership and is, therefore, perceived rather than absolute.

I'm not sure how to explain it better. This isn't about "separating the material from the immaterial," but rather about differentiation within consciousness itself.

Of course, the assumption that we can recognize, experience, and process the world around us is neurophysiological at its foundation.
Now, the actual path of that processing—how much we are able to distance ourselves from negative, incorrect, or, in this context, illusory identifications and projections—is a different question entirely... as is how we categorize and name it all, whether the model is atheistic or theistic...

Anthony Cook8 said:We attract exactly what we need for our growth and lessons in the moment; that's what I meant when I wrote about attracting what we truly require...

It feels more like hindsight bias, a way to rationalize and assign value to our past experiences... It's an internal process. I don't see how this could be some external law directing things toward us or acting like a magnet...
It’s more likely that out of all the experiences available to us—if we choose at all—we simply pick specific ones based on our own needs. A lack of awareness regarding those choices (believing there's an energetic pull toward a specific experience or a perfect choice) isn't helpful... In my view, it just leaves a person vulnerable to manipulation and illusions...

Casey Gomez said:I misread the situation slightly. My apologies for the tone. 😬
Quincy:

I am stating quite clearly that material constraints are not some inherent limitation that dictates one's destiny.

It’s clear that this is the medium we live in.
Quincy:

You’re attempting to resolve a conflict using nothing but intellect and theory—an exercise in futility, quite frankly. It is impossible because you are fundamentally incapable of reconciling your lofty ideals with objective reality. I suppose that explains the endless stream of questions and premises cluttering up your opening post. I am discussing the subjective interpretation here—specifically, how we value the concept of asceticism. The context in which this ideal exists is fundamentally at odds with the reality in which most people actually live their lives.

The ideal isn't some subjective whim. It is an intrinsic part of our very being. At its core, the ideal functions as an archetypal entity—a psychological constant woven into our nature that manifests in the physical world through images like the "wise man." Religious figures serve as prime examples of this paradigm. Before he renounced material wealth, Buddha was a man of immense fortune; similarly, Christ was confronted in the desert with the temptation of all the world's riches if he would only bow down. Therefore, this ideal—and I am referring to the totality of it, not just the ascetic aspects—is almost always unattainable. It may be reached by a rare few, but it remains a fundamental imperative.

Quincy:

Rationalization, in this particular context, implies that we cannot even begin to discuss who is willing to go how far before we truly grasp why—and indeed, how—such a thing would ever be possible for a human being; which, for most people, is exactly what I took to be the core question in the introduction.

I don't put any stock in the masses. I only believe in the individual. It’s rare enough to find someone who actually asks a question, even rarer to find those who attempt to live, and an even smaller fraction of people who truly exist.
Quincy:

Look, I am not suggesting that asceticism is about material deprivation in the traditional sense—in fact, it is quite the exact opposite—so your question regarding whether I receive some sort of special treatment is entirely nonsensical.

The definition of asceticism remains somewhat murky given its various connotations, so you simply cannot alter the core meaning of the term.
Quincy:

I fail to grasp the point you’re trying to make in the bolded section.

Well, my brain has officially checked out again. 😲

It's fine 😳

Personally, I don't believe in the masses. Only the individual. It's rare to find those who ask questions, rarer still those who try to live, and even fewer who actually do...

Fair enough.

The definition of ascetic carries specific connotations, so you can't just shift the meaning of the term.

That's exactly what 🤔 was saying; it felt like you were twisting the context.

Since you clarified you meant it in terms of an archetypal ideal, it feels more fluid... it makes sense what you're aiming for when you write.

I guess I'm not always clear when I write either, so maybe I should just step back...

🙂

Casey Gomez said:You’re just rationalizing. Go ahead, explain how asceticism could possibly be a luxury in a world driven by pure greed and gluttony. 🙂 Asceticism is strictly a state of mind. It’s nothing more than how your brain perceives what is desirable versus undesirable, or the visible versus the invisible. Tell me, can you even detect the infrared spectrum of a rattlesnake? Comfort is simply a mental state.

🤔 WTF? 😬
My point is that material things aren't an inherent constraint.
You're trying to solve this conflict through logic and theory—but you can't, because you can't reconcile an ideal with objective reality (which seems to be the root of all your questions and premises).
I am talking about the subjective interpretation and valuation of the idea of asceticism. The context where the ideal exists is different from the context in which most people actually live.
I'm discussing the prerequisites for even starting a conversation about achieving spiritual asceticism—the quenching of desire.
To rationalize here means we can't discuss who is willing to go how far (the start of our topic) until we understand why or how it would even be possible for a regular person to do so...
And I'm not saying asceticism is about material deprivation itself—quite the opposite. So your question about privilege doesn't really make sense to me.

I don't follow what you mean by the bolded part.

Poverty alone doesn't corrupt a person; that isn't necessarily true...
It’s not about how much someone possesses, but rather their relationship to those possessions. Enjoying life doesn't automatically mean you are serving it.

People who actually struggle to build something aren't usually lazy or weak-willed.
They end up being better at distinguishing material wealth from spiritual value, which gives them an edge over those who deny one or the other entirely.
There are people raised in total poverty with strong spiritual foundations, yet when they finally encounter the beauty of material things and physical pleasures, their entire value system can shatter and lead to corruption. To me, that isn't proof that matter itself is inherently corrupting. It just shows that you can't truly care for your soul if you dismiss the physical world as worthless. If you can recognize its value for yourself and your own needs, then you can maintain a healthy relationship with it without letting it compromise your values.
Just because certain comforts have become standard doesn't mean a person has lost their way spiritually by enjoying them. Circumstances change, and the goal is to figure out how to value things in a way that protects your identity and integrity.

Asceticism is limited to specific groups and is often impossible for most people to achieve. If it becomes a requirement, it's only for a tiny minority. For everyone else, it serves more as an inspiration or a guiding image rather than a lifestyle. The ideal of the ascetic rejecting worldly goods is an image found after reaching a certain realization, not a promise of enlightenment gained through forced deprivation. This likely ties back to our instincts—the innate drive to overcome what is fleeting and perishable.

What I mean is, giving something up only makes sense once you understand the connection between your desires and how you satisfy them through material means. That's when it stops being about unhealthy "sacrifice."