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Kratom is an herbal supplement with stimulant-like effects. Why is it in wellness drinks?

Kratom is an herbal supplement with stimulant-like effects. Why is it in wellness drinks?

Yahoo29-01-2025

A 12 oz. can of Mitra9 looks just like any other new-age drink. Marketed towards the sober-curious, a company spokesperson says Mitra9 fits a range of needs and their drinks are favored by 'wellness enthusiasts' who are 'looking for natural alternatives to traditional beverages' as well as 'busy individuals who need focus and energy during the day but also want a way to unwind and relax in a healthy manner.'
But look closer at Mitra9's ingredient list: the canned beverage's buzzy powers come from kratom, an herbal supplement with stimulant properties. Mitra9 is just one of many kratom-infused products, including Jubi and Club13, claiming to be a better alternative to alcohol or even caffeine.
The health-forward branding is akin to the way nonalcoholic, functional beverage companies like Kin Euphorics and De Soi — which include adaptogen ingredients like ashwagandha and l-theanine — promote themselves. They even share similar packaging: Jubi, which comes in playful, bright containers, boasts that its products are 'gluten-free' and 'plant-based.'
But while some wellness companies using kratom may frame the ingredient as a safe way to enhance one's mood and energy levels, there's also a darker side — one that has earned kratom the nickname 'gas station heroin.' In 2021, Texas man Dustin Hernandez died following a seizure after drinking kratom tea. Though Hernandez reportedly used kratom to manage anxiety, his family said he had been 'in denial' about the addictive qualities of the substance. More recently in March 2023, a class action lawsuit was filed against the parent company of kratom drink Feel Free over allegations that consumers were not properly warned about the side effects of the ingredient. Then, there are the users like Lizzy Falls opening up about becoming dependent on kratom — which some were unaware was even possible when they first took the substance, given their lack of knowledge about the ingredient. 'When I was first given kratom, I was told that it was as safe as coffee,' Falls shared on TikTok. 'So that made it hard for me to realize that I had a problem.'
Kratom is an herbal supplement made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is native to Southeast Asia. Typically, it's sold and packaged as dried leaves, powders, capsules, tablets or liquid extracts, and can also be found in teas and now, canned beverages. In 2021, an estimated 1.7 million Americans 12 and older used kratom, per the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Kratom is considered a natural product, which means that it falls outside of the Food and Drug Administration's authority, and the FDA says that it cannot be 'lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug product, a dietary supplement or a food additive in conventional food.' Yet kratom, in most states, can still be lawfully sold — and kratom specialty stores are even popping up around the country.
Kratom has stimulant properties, making you feel more awake and alert, and it also has properties of opioids, Jamie Alan, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Life.
The latter is a 'big concern,' Alan says. Kratom hits the same receptors as addictive substances like so-called painkillers such as morphine, codeine or fentanyl. That means you can also become dependent on kratom, the way you would with these medications.
'It's the same mechanism by which you become addicted to any sort of opioid, and you will get some of the opioid side effects,' Alan says.
While these impacts can include things like constipation, Alan says one of the 'most concerning' side effects is respiratory depression. This means that, in some cases, your breathing can slow down to dangerous levels while using kratom — and it can even stop entirely. This is how people die of opioid overdoses and why Narcan, or naloxone, works to quickly block opioid receptors in the brain in order to restore their normal breathing. Though kratom overdose risk is low, naloxone will also work to treat a kratom overdose.
Alan says that while deaths from kratom alone are 'pretty low,' the risk rises when it's combined with other substances that slow down your respiratory rate, such as sedatives like Xanax or Ativan, as well as opioids.
And kratom addiction can cause major life problems in the same way other drug dependence does, Dr. David I. Deyhimy, founder and medical director of MYMATCLINIC and Pulse Addiction, tells Yahoo Life. He says that his clinic has seen a 'dramatic uptick' in kratom users, some of whom were previously addicted to opioids but had since been in remission.
'Patients develop a pain-related condition and think kratom is a less dangerous alternative to opioids, then develop tolerance [and their use] escalates, and they can't stop — very similar to opioid addiction,' he explains. 'Others are patients with opioid use disorder, and they try switching to kratom to wean off of opioids but are not successful in stopping kratom.'
Deyhimy says that he's seen patients who try to stop taking kratom experience symptoms similar to opioid withdrawal, such as elevated blood pressure, heart rate, sleep disturbances, muscle aches, gastrointestinal disturbances, anxiety, dysphoria and depression. 'Recently, we had a patient end up in the ICU on a ventilator from kratom,' he says.
The spokesperson for Mitra9 says that they are well aware of the controversy surrounding kratom and that their brand prioritizes 'education, transparency and safety' around the product.
'We do not consider a plant like kratom to be any more controversial than other plants found in our food supply,' they say. 'Plants are complex and require you to take the time to thoroughly understand them. Unfortunately, some controversies were created prior to some groups not researching the plant. Mitra9 is directly involved with sourcing the highest quality kratom that is rigorously tested for purity and potency. We want customers to feel confident knowing what is in their drink has met the highest safety standards.'
As a natural substance, kratom is not regulated by the FDA — however, as of 2023, it is banned in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. It's also banned in certain jurisdictions within states: for example, while kratom is legal in the state of California, it's banned in cities like San Diego and Newport Beach.
But just because kratom is legal in your area does not necessarily mean it's a safe product. 'Because kratom is not regulated in the way that prescription and over-the-counter medications are regulated, you don't really know exactly what you're getting in that bottle,' she says. 'Herbal medications and natural products are notorious for not having what they say they have in them, so there's always a risk that it is contaminated with something, or it has more than the label says, or less than the label says. I think this can be very dangerous.'
One concern with kratom, specifically, is the risk of it being contaminated with salmonella, as well as heavy metals — something the FDA warned consumers about in 2019.
Supplements are becoming more and more popular for helping people manage health concerns, with more than 59 million Americans taking supplements regularly for wellness purposes. Functional drinks are becoming a bigger piece of that market, with $123.95 billion in sales in 2023 — but while many people may not overthink popping an adaptogen-filled beverage, or even a caffeinated energy drink, kratom calls for a bit more consideration.
If people are unaware of the potential addictive qualities of kratom — as many who claim to have developed an addiction kratom say they were — what starts as an opportunity to improve their health can have unwanted consequences.
There is potential for kratom to be used in beneficial ways in the future. In Southeast Asia, it's been used to treat fatigue, diarrhea, muscle cramps and pain. While not enough research has been done into kratom to support health benefits, there is some evidence that it may have the potential to relieve pain and boost mood, and it may have potential as a treatment for opioid withdrawal symptoms.
'The FDA is supporting studies looking into the [potential] clinical utility of this substance, but we just don't know that yet,' Alan says. 'So where we sit right now is that it's mostly all risk, because it's completely unregulated.'
But whether you pick up one of these kratom drinks, or other kratom-infused supplement, may depend on your risk tolerance — as there is a potential for becoming dependent. 'There is probably little risk to someone who is an occasional user,' Alan says. 'However, kratom does act like a weak opioid agonist and therefore carries a risk of dependence and addiction. It's hard to say who will develop dependence and who will not.'

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5 Common Causes of Impotence
5 Common Causes of Impotence

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5 Common Causes of Impotence

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Impotence can often have a negative effect on your sex life, and it can also cause depression, additional stress, and low self-esteem. Impotence and erectile dysfunction symptoms A common misconception about erectile dysfunction is that you cannot achieve an erection at all. This is not always the case. Erectile dysfunction can also include symptoms like: being unable to achieve an erection inconsistently being able to achieve an erection each time you have a sexual encounter not being able to maintain an erection for the entire sexual encounter Impotence can begin to affect your quality of life and relationships with your sexual partners over time. However, there are several treatment options available for many of the root causes of ED. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consider talking with your doctor about what might be causing your ED and what treatment options might be best for you. What causes impotence? Understanding the most frequently diagnosed potential causes can help you identify why you may be experiencing the condition. Here are five common causes of impotence: 1. Endocrine diseases The body's endocrine system produces hormones that regulate metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, mood, and much more. One of the complications associated with chronic diabetes is nerve damage. This affects penis sensations. Other complications associated with diabetes include impaired blood flow and hormone levels. Both of these factors can contribute to impotence. 2. Neurological and nerve disorders Several neurologic conditions can increase the risk for impotence. Nerve conditions affect the brain's ability to communicate with the reproductive system. This can prevent you from achieving an erection. Neurological disorders associated with impotence include: Alzheimer's disease Parkinson's disease brain or spinal tumors multiple sclerosis (MS) stroke temporal lobe epilepsy If you've had prostate surgery, you can also experience nerve damage, resulting in impotence. Long-distance bicycle riders can experience temporary impotence. Repeated pressure on the buttocks and genitals can affect nerve function. 3. Taking medications Taking certain medications can affect blood flow, which can lead to ED. You should never stop taking a medication without your doctor's permission, even if it's known to cause impotence. Examples of medications known to cause impotence include: alpha-adrenergic blockers, including tamsulosin (Flomax) antihistamines, such as cimetidine (Tagamet) beta-blockers, such as carvedilol (Coreg) and metoprolol (Lopressor) chemotherapy medications central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and codeine CNS stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and spironolactone (Aldactone) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil) synthetic hormones, including leuprolide (Eligard) 4. Cardiac-related conditions Conditions that affect the heart and its ability to pump blood well can cause impotence. Without enough blood flow to the penis, you cannot achieve an erection. Atherosclerosis, a condition that causes blood vessels to become clogged, can cause impotence. High cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension) are also associated with an increased risk for impotence. 5. Lifestyle factors and emotional disorders To achieve an erection, you must first go through what's known as an excitement phase. This phase can be an emotional response. If you have an emotional disorder, it can affect your ability to become sexually excited. Depression and anxiety are associated with an increased risk for impotence. Depression is a feeling of sadness, loss of hope, or helplessness. Fatigue-related to depression can also cause impotence. Performance anxiety can also cause impotence. If you haven't been able to achieve an erection in the past, you may fear you won't be able to achieve an erection in the future. You may find that you cannot achieve an erection with a certain partner. If you've been diagnosed with ED related to performance anxiety, you may be able to have full erections when masturbating or when sleeping, but unable to maintain an erection during intercourse. Substance use disorder involving drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines can also cause impotence. Alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder (AUD) can affect your ability to achieve or maintain an erection as well. See your doctor if you suspect that you may have a substance use problem. Erectile dysfunction treatment Treatments are available for impotence, including medical interventions, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes. Medical interventions There are a variety of medical interventions that can be used to treat impotence. Prescription treatments for impotence include: alprostadil (Caverject, Edex, MUSE), which is available as an injection or as a suppository avanafil (Stendra) sildenafil (Viagra) tadalafil (Cialis) vardenafil (Staxyn, Levitra) testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) You may also want to consider vascular surgery (to improve blood flow in the penis) or penile implant surgery. Find Roman ED medication online. Natural remedies If you want to avoid prescription medication, there are a variety of natural remedies known to help treat impotence. It's important to note that the efficacy of these alternative remedies is not always tested or verified by the FDA so you may not see the advertised results of these products. Before you use any natural remedies, make sure you consult your doctor first. Some alternative remedies for impotence include: Penis pumps Penis pumps are another option if you're looking for noninvasive, nondrug treatments. They may be most effective if you have moderate ED. 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How RFK, Jr.'s Dismissal of CDC Immunization Committee Panelists Will Affect America's Vaccine Access
How RFK, Jr.'s Dismissal of CDC Immunization Committee Panelists Will Affect America's Vaccine Access

Scientific American

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How RFK, Jr.'s Dismissal of CDC Immunization Committee Panelists Will Affect America's Vaccine Access

In a striking move on Monday, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., secretary of the U.S. Department Health and Human Services, announced the dismissal of all sitting public health experts of an independent vaccine committee that counsels the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, the group holds public meetings to review the latest scientific evidence on vaccine safety and effectiveness and to make clinical recommendations for people in the U.S.—guidance that greatly influences access to disease-preventing shots. In his announcement in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Kennedy— who has a long history of as an antivaccine activist —framed the firings as taking 'a bold step in restoring public trust by totally reconstituting the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices.' He also alleged there were 'persistent conflicts of interest' among committee members. Public health experts had been bracing for such a move. 'This was everybody's fear about having RFK, Jr., as our HHS secretary,' says Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. ACIP's decisions shape immunization schedules —affecting which groups will be recommended vaccines, when and how often they should get them and whether health insurance will cover costs. The panelists hold three open meetings each year to assess and vote on the clinical use of various existing and new vaccines, including ones that protect people against pneumonia, chicken pox, shingles, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), polio, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID. According to the agenda of ACIP's next meeting, slated for June 25–27, members are expected to vote on highly anticipated recommendations that would influence the next winter respiratory illness season—including guidance for COVID, flu and RSV vaccines for adults and children. In response to various questions about the plans for ACIP, an HHS spokesperson directed Scientific American to the agency's statement about the announcement and said the committee is still scheduled to meet on June 25–27. According to the statement, new committee members are currently under consideration. The secretary of health and human services gives the final approval of newly appointed ACIP members. 'I cannot imagine that they could compose a new ACIP that has been sufficiently vetted in [less than] three weeks,' Nuzzo says. 'One of the reasons why there's so much concern right now is that changing the composition of ACIP, potentially stacking it with antivaccine members, as many fear could happen, could make it harder for Americans to access vaccines that they want, that their doctors think are beneficial for them.' Scientific American spoke with Nuzzo about how the ACIP dismissal may affect vaccine policy and access and people's health. [ An edited transcript of the interview follows. ] What is the primary role of ACIP? There are a few features of the committee that make it important. One is expertise. The membership of the committee is somewhat diverse to represent a range of expert backgrounds because when you're talking about vaccines, there are pediatric issues, adult issues—a lot of different types of expertise need to be brought to bear. It's also an independent group, meaning that it's not populated by any particular political party. ACIP's members are outside experts who are appointed through a very transparent, open process, up to a fixed term. These are independent, nonpolitical actors who also have their conflicts of interests managed. Who they get money from is public knowledge. [ Editor's Note: Members withdraw themselves from deliberations and voting on any product for which they have disclosed a conflict of interest. ] How does ACIP make its decisions? During the meeting, [the members] have documents, they have people giving presentations. Sometimes those presentations are given by government scientists who have reviewed evidence, or sometimes [the members will look at] evidence from studies on vaccines. All of the meetings are open: either you could show up in public or, usually, [see a] broadcast on the web. So all of the data that are used in the discussion about vaccines and vaccine policies are made public, and they are reviewed. And not only are they reviewed, but the rationale and the interpretation of those data are public. So the public can see, interrogate, and vet the conclusions and the data that the committees use to base their conclusions. It's a very open [process], and that openness adheres to a governance structure has existed throughout multiple presidential administrations, multiple political parties presiding [over] it. It's also important to note that the CDC director does not have to accept ACIP's recommendations—the CDC director usually does, but the CDC director does not have to. My worry is not just that politics enters into ACIP; it's also just that 'Will the will of ACIP be adhered to?' How do ACIP's recommendations affect people? ACIP is one of two key advisory committees that serve the U.S. government related to vaccines [the other is the Food and Drug Administration's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) ]. ACIP makes recommendations regarding vaccine policies and utilization—and those recommendations are important, not just because they represent the scientific consensus that exists at the time but also because they usually influence people's access to vaccines. One real concern is: if ACIP doesn't recommend a vaccine, insurers may decide not to cover the cost , and some of these vaccines have important out-of-pocket costs. Some of us can afford that, but a lot of us can't. And so there are real issues about who is going to be able to benefit from vaccines, and it creates a real inequity. It may also have an effect on the market and companies' willingness to incur the risks of making vaccines. Vaccines are not like making a car. There are a discovery process and research-and-development process that have to occur. If vaccine manufacturers fear that they're not going to be able to sell vaccines, that people aren't going to be able to access them, then they may simply decide not to make them. They might decide that the U.S. market is not where they want to invest their resources and may decide to instead serve other countries. So it's not just that ACIP provides advice that the American public can use to make their own vaccine decisions but also [that it] is often the basis by which [vaccine] providers and insurers make vaccines available. So it's not just about information; it's also about access. What does this action potentially mean for future vaccine policies? I'm worried about all vaccines at this point. I can't rule out that that isn't just the first warning shot. Some of the rationale around who should or should not get COVID boosters, in my view, feels like an opening to removing the availability of flu vaccines. 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RFK Jr. Purging the CDC Advisory Committee Will Put Lives at Risk
RFK Jr. Purging the CDC Advisory Committee Will Put Lives at Risk

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

RFK Jr. Purging the CDC Advisory Committee Will Put Lives at Risk

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifying during his Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confirmation hearing on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC Credit - Kevin Dietsch—Getty Images When Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. began his tenure as Health and Human Services Secretary, he pledged, 'We won't take away anyone's vaccines.' However, recent policy changes under his leadership—coupled with the unprecedented dismissal of all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on June 9—have proven that statement false, raising grave concerns for our nation's COVID-19 response and broader vaccine policies. These shifts not only jeopardize public health but also threaten to erode trust in our health institutions at a critical time. In May 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced a new COVID-19 vaccine framework, limiting access to updated vaccines for Americans aged 65 and older or those with specific risk factors. Furthermore, Secretary Kennedy announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for 'healthy' children or pregnant women—bypassing the standard ACIP review process. Compounding these changes, the abrupt removal of ACIP's entire panel of independent experts, who have guided evidence-based vaccine policy for decades, risks destabilizing a cornerstone of public health. These actions collectively restrict access to a vital tool for saving lives and undermine confidence in our health systems. Read More: What to Know About RFK Jr. Removing All Experts From CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee During my tenure as Surgeon General under the first Trump administration, we faced significant public health challenges, from addressing the opioid epidemic by increasing access to Naloxone to launching Operation Warp Speed for the COVID-19 vaccine development effort. The vaccines developed under Trump's first term have proven to be one of our most effective defenses against COVID-19; yet, the current administration's new policies limit their availability, potentially leaving millions vulnerable. The dismissal of ACIP's experts—without a clear plan for replacing them with qualified scientists—further jeopardizes trust in the institutions tasked with protecting Americans. The major flaw in the new vaccine framework is its narrow assessment of risk. Although the immediate dangers of COVID-19 have lessened, it remains a leading cause of death and hospitalization, claiming nearly 50,000 lives in the U.S. in 2024—more than breast cancer or car accidents. The fact is, 75% of Americans have risk factors, such as obesity or diabetes, that increase their vulnerability to severe COVID outcomes. However, the burden is now placed on individuals to self-identify as high risk, creating confusion and inconsistency in access. Unlike other countries with centralized systems for identifying at-risk individuals, the U.S. expects patients—many of whom lack easy access to healthcare—to navigate eligibility alone. Risk assessment should also consider individual circumstances beyond underlying health conditions. A 58-year-old bus driver or healthcare worker faces significantly greater exposure than someone working remotely. By limiting vaccines to specific groups based solely on preexisting health status, the policy overlooks these critical contextual differences. Secretary Kennedy's team argues that there is insufficient evidence to support updated COVID-19 vaccines for healthy Americans under 65, but this claim is flatly unfounded. Years of real-world data demonstrate that vaccines save lives and reduce hospitalizations across all age groups. During the 2023 to 2024 fall and winter season, 95% of those hospitalized for COVID had not received an updated vaccine. While the administration cites other countries' more restrictive vaccine policies, such comparisons ignore the unique health landscape in the U.S., which includes higher obesity rates, worse maternal health outcomes, and uneven healthcare access. The policy also neglects the issue of Long COVID, which affects millions with debilitating symptoms lasting months or years. Though older adults are at higher risk for severe acute infections, Long COVID disproportionately impacts adults aged 35 to 49—and children are also affected. Vaccination reduces the risk of developing Long COVID, an essential reason many healthy individuals choose to stay up-to-date with their vaccines. Read More: What's the Risk of Getting Long COVID in 2024? Particularly concerning is the decision to end COVID vaccine recommendations for 'healthy' pregnant women, which contradicts the FDA's own guidance. Pregnant women face heightened risks of severe COVID outcomes, including death, pre-eclampsia, and miscarriage. Vaccination during pregnancy is crucial—not just for maternal health but also for protecting infants under six months, who cannot be vaccinated and rely on maternal antibodies for protection. Decades of research confirm that vaccines, including COVID vaccines, safely transfer antibodies to newborns, lowering their risk of severe illness. The dismissal of ACIP's members amplifies these concerns. ACIP has been a trusted, science-driven body that ensures vaccines are safe and effective, saving countless lives through its transparent recommendations. Its members, rigorously vetted for expertise and conflicts of interest, provide independent guidance critical to public health. Removing them without clear evidence of misconduct risks replacing qualified scientists with less experienced voices. This move fuels vaccine hesitancy and skepticism about public health decisions, particularly when paired with the bypassing of ACIP's review process for the new COVID vaccine policies. These changes create uncertainty about who can access vaccines. Without clear CDC recommendations, insurance companies may impose their own coverage criteria, potentially increasing costs for a vaccine that was previously free for most Americans. Healthcare providers, lacking federal guidance and ACIP's expertise, may struggle to advise patients, leading to a confusing and inequitable system that limits choice—hardly the 'medical freedom' Secretary Kennedy claims to champion. Ultimately, these actions threaten to erode trust in public health. FDA officials argue the new framework enhances transparency, yet bypassing ACIP's review and dismissing its members undermines that aim. Extensive data demonstrate that updated vaccines lower hospitalization and death rates, yet this evidence was sidelined. Such actions breed skepticism, making it harder to unite Americans around shared health goals. The stakes are high, but a better path is possible. Restoring trust requires transparent, evidence-based policymaking that prioritizes access to life-saving tools. I urge Secretary Kennedy and the administration to reconsider this framework, reinstate ACIP's role in vaccine policy, and ensure any new appointees are qualified, independent experts. If concerns about ACIP exist, they should be addressed through reform, not dissolution. Healthcare providers and community leaders must also educate patients about vaccination benefits, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and those with high exposure. Individuals can take action by staying informed, discussing vaccination with their doctors, and advocating for clear, equitable access to vaccines. By working together—government, providers, and citizens—we can protect lives, reduce the burden of Long COVID, and rebuild confidence in our public health system. We must seize this opportunity to unite around science and ensure a healthier, safer, and prosperous future for all Americans. Contact us at letters@

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