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National Geographic
22 minutes ago
- National Geographic
How this Gold Rush town became an LGBTQ+ haven for travelers and transplants
When the first settlers came to the Sierra Nevada foothills in the late 1840s, they came for gold. Decades after the California Gold Rush ended in 1855, a different crop of settlers—including artists, musicians, and LGBTQ+ people—came looking for something other than precious metal. History runs deep in Nevada City, a hilly, pine-scented community of barely 3,000, which boomed in 1849 upon the arrival of early settlers like Captain John Pennington and William McCaig. During its heyday, miners came and went, chasing the ebb and flow of eureka. Even President Herbert Hoover lived here in the late 1890s, earning $2 a day pushing ore carts, and staying at the National Hotel—a mining camp, built in 1856, that's still in operation as The National Exchange. Today, downtown Nevada City is a national historic landmark, preserving a community rooted in its gilded past. That authenticity is the appeal that continues to draw a variety of tourists, especially LGBTQ+ people, where the opportunities in Nevada City—with its pristine nature, and its devil-may-care sense of expression—are worth more than gold. (Related: California gold rush towns are booming again. Here's what to see and do.) Locals and tourists walk across the South Yuba River Bridge, a pedestrian walkway and bike path in South Yuba State Park. The bridge is also known as the 49er Crossing because of its historical association with the California Gold Rush and the Forty-Niners. Photograph By Andri Tambunan / Guardian / eyevine/Redux An oasis in the forest Located between Sacramento and Reno, at the edge of Tahoe National Forest and barely two hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada City emerged as a stopover for folks seeking a retreat from urban confines. During the AIDS crisis, the town was a breath of literal fresh air, marked by soaring trees, rolling hills, and swimming holes along the Yuba River. For travelers, the city remains a breath of fresh air—teeming with parks, festivals, restaurants, shops, and hotels set against a bucolic backdrop steeped in history. The city's shift came after a miners' strike in 1956 shuttered the Empire Mine, a once-prosperous wellspring responsible for nearly 6 million ounces of gold. The Empire Mine became Empire Mine State Historic Park, with 14 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback trails. The Yuba River boasts swimming holes and white-water rafting, while the 850,000-acre Tahoe National Forest offers everything from climbing and caving to fishing and camping. The shops and eateries along Broad Street support the LGBTQ+ community with rainbow flags during Pride Month. Although Nevada City is known for its welcoming vibe, it didn't celebrate its first Pride until August 6, 2023. Photograph By Chris Allan, Shutterstock In town, folks flock to main drags like Broad Street and Commercial Street for shopping and dining, from worldly wares at Asylum Down clothing store to grain bowls at Heartwood Eatery and Hot Toddies with live jazz at Golden Era, a cocktail bar in a historic saloon space dating to the Gold Rush. Quaint inns and handsome suites, meanwhile, provide lodging that transports guests back in time—albeit with modern-day amenities—at places like the brick-clad 1856 Speakeasy Suites and the six-room Broad Street Inn. Taken sometime after 1933, this old photo captures stores and shops located on the corner of Broad & North Pine Streets in Nevada City, Calif. Photograph By Roger Sturtevant, Historic American Buildings Survey, Library of Congres It's Nevada City's nature—coupled with its accessible location and preserved-in-time aesthetic—that helped transform the community into an enduring haven beyond its mining boom. From time immemorial, LGBTQ+ people have existed everywhere, even in mines. (Related: Must-see LGBTQ-friendly destinations for every kind of traveler.) The emergence of an LGBTQ+ community in Nevada City 'Because Nevada City was becoming this huge boom for the Gold Rush, there were so many men coming here, and so much money,' explains Anthony Jones, general manager of the The National Exchange, which finished an extensive renovation in 2021, and hosts events like drag bingo and belly dances. Entertainment emerged in the form of the Nevada Theatre, an 1865 venue that still operates as an LGBTQ+ cornerstone and hosts screenings with Nevada County Pride. 'The theater was such a big thing historically, and contemporarily,' Jones adds. 'That's where so much of the lore came from, that this was an environment that attracted more people associated with LGBTQ+ cultures.' Jones cites migration, especially from cities where LGBTQ+ people could blend in, the 'hippie movement' in the 1960s, and the AIDS crises as catalysts for Nevada City becoming a queer sanctuary. 'That's why you have that cultural tie to bohemian culture,' says Jones. 'There are lots of communes up here, many with different gender identities and vibes, and after the pandemic, even more people moved here, mainly from the Bay.' Local hotels, like The National Exchange and Grass Valley's Holbrooke Hotel, became bastions. 'These hotels that had more of an inclusive environment,' Jones explains, citing historic photos of cross-dressing men at The National Exchange, and a speakeasy at the Holbrooke where a door led directly to the mines, providing discrete passage for queer people. 'Because they had entrances that were not public, and there wasn't a lot of light inside, they could hide their behavior.' He describes Nevada County as having a diverse culture of coexistence. 'Regardless of the view that they're expressing, or their lifestyle, people have chosen to live up here for a reason—the 'leave me alone' reason,' says Jones. (Related: How destinations are helping LGBTQ+ visitors travel with pride.) In the summer, thousands of locals and visitors take to the waters of the South Yuba River to cool off, especially during July when average temperatures reach 88°F in Nevada County, Calif. Photograph By Elias Funez/The Union via AP A boomtown for LGBTQ+ tourists, residents, and businesses As Nevada City's diverse community continued to grow, more LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses popped up such as Take a Look Books, Thorn&Alchemy Art, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co., Fudenjüce vegetarian restaurant, and Lost & Found Vintage, as well as a longstanding theater, dance, and burlesque culture. One restaurant that celebrates that, Lola is named after the larger-than-life dancer, Lola Montez, who performed during the Gold Rush and lived in Grass Valley. Today, diners can enjoy steak frites and porterhouse pork chops in a stately dining room bedecked with historic imagery of the risqué performer, while the adjoining bar keeps her spirit alive with monthly drag bingo. Along with expressive events, including queer book clubs, potlucks, and picnics put on by Nevada County Pride, the city keeps people coming back, and planting roots. Nevada County Pride Board Chair, Rick Partridge relocated to Nevada City from the Bay Area with his husband. 'We were overwhelmed by how much everybody gets along,' he recalls. Lorraine Gervais, a jazz and R&B singer who has been in the area for 50 years, performs at Pride functions and same-sex weddings. 'Back in the '70s, cool people started coming here and they started transforming the culture,' she describes, pointing to artists David Osborn and Charles Woods, who arrived in the 1960s from San Francisco, as early pioneers in Nevada City's cultural shift. 'They had a graphic design firm, and they loved Nevada City, and a few of their friends came, and things started rolling.' (Related: Here are the 10 best destinations for LGBTQ families.) Nevada Country Pride in the pines Nevada County Pride began 40 years ago as a social club for gay white men, according to Rick Partridge. Over time, it shifted into a non-profit with a board comprised mostly of women. 'We moved the needle significantly,' he says, highlighting an uptick in allied volunteers who want to support their trans kids or non-binary siblings. 'We ended last year with maybe 50 volunteers, and now we've more than doubled.' In addition to Nevada County Pride programming, which runs the gamut from queer film series to youth gatherings, the organization works to be as inclusive as possible, providing alternatives for sober people, the trans community, and beyond. Formed in Nevada County in 2002, Pat Rose became the treasurer of PFLAG and coordinated fundraisers with Nevada County Pride. 'We started doing more events that would involve both groups,' she notes, like running booths at the Nevada County Fair and marching in the Nevada City Constitution Day Parade. 'The first year was hard, as there were a lot of negative people who yelled at us, but as the years passed, we saw a slow change to people cheering us as we rode on our float down Broad Street.' That change is baked into Nevada City's DNA, from its first settlement as a Gold Rush town, to its entertainment scene its cross-dressing miners, and its LGBTQ+ influx. 'We didn't design it this way,' Jones stresses, of both The National's refurbishment and the town's evolution. 'We didn't come in here and say, 'We want drag.' They were here. The things that exist today seemed to have happened then. I would never want to be the one changing the culture; I want to see the culture show itself a bit more.' (Related: World's best destinations for LGBT Pride celebrations.) Matt Kirouac is an award-winning writer based in Oklahoma City, and the co-founder of The Gay Lane, a travel site 'celebrating queer culture in unexpected places."
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kate Moss & Gemma Collins to be bridesmaids at top DJ's wedding as wild guestlist and A-list performer revealed
The happy couple, who will both wear custom-made Dior, will celebrate late into the evening at a posh West End hotel GLITZY BASH Kate Moss & Gemma Collins to be bridesmaids at top DJ's wedding as wild guestlist and A-list performer revealed IT'S gearing up to be the most eclectic celebrity wedding we've seen in yonks, as DJ-to-the-stars Fat Tony marries his long-time partner Stavros Agapiou today. I'm told Kate Moss will be in place as a bridesmaid, along with TV's Gemma Collins and Claire Sweeney, which should make for some incredible pre-aisle chat. 11 Kate Moss will be a bridesmaid at one of the most eclectic celebrity weddings of the year Credit: Getty 11 Kate will be part of a bridal party with reality television star Gemma Collins Credit: Splash 11 DJ-to-the-stars Fat Tony is set to marry his long-time partner Stavros Agapiou Credit: Getty He previously revealed he wanted Boy George to be his best man, while Alison Hammond, David and Victoria Beckham, David Furnish and, incredibly, Jedward are all expected at the ceremony, which is being held in a church in West London. The happy couple, who will both wear custom-made Dior suits, will then celebrate late into the evening at a posh West End hotel, where pop star Kylie Minogue has been booked to perform at the reception. A source said: 'Tony is one of the most popular people on the London celebrity circuit and his wedding is going to be packed full of stars. 'No one had Kate, Gemma and Claire in a bridal party on their bingo cards this year, though. It's going to be incredible to see them lining up together. 'Tony and Stavros have put a lot of thought into their big day and it's going to be one to remember. 'As for having Kylie singing at their evening do, it's iconic. 'They couldn't be happier about saying their vows in front of the people they love most. Tony's dog is also going to have a role in their big day, which is very sweet. 'Their wedding photos will go down in history.' Tony previously opened up about his nuptials and the couple's poignant choice of church, which honours people he knew who died of HIV and AIDS in the Eighties and Nineties. He said: 'There's a church in Earl's Court. When we died of AIDS, no one else would touch us because they didn't want to bury us into the ground. Gemma Collins shows off her two stone weight loss in pink cycling shorts 'We weren't allowed to be buried. We had to be burned. 'This church was the only place that had love and compassion for our community. 'I want to get married there because, for me, it's full circle. It's for everybody that didn't make it to that point.' Tony also said he wanted Bronski Beat's Jimmy Somerville to sing Smalltown Boy at the venue, about a gay youngster not being accepted by his family. He added: 'I asked him many years ago and he said yes.' There won't be a dry eye in the house. Love bites for Vicky 11 Vicky Pattinson is planning to return to where she got married to husband Ercan Ramandan Credit: Splash VICKY PATTISON is planning a romantic return to Italy to celebrate her first wedding anniversary. She got married last year to Ercan Ramandan in a ceremony that featured four designer dresses and a telly special. But that isn't stopping the reality star from splashing the cash again a year on. Vicky wants to head back to Puglia where they said 'I do' in September. She told Bizarre: 'It's our first year of marriage. 'We are really enjoying each other's company more and more. 'We got married in Puglia, so I would love to go back out there for our anniversary. Just to eat nice pasta, drink Aperol Spritz and do all the bits we couldn't do as we were so busy with the wedding.' With Italian cuisine being so tasty, I can see why she is keen to return. New data from McCain has revealed the British spend an average of 30 minutes a day thinking about their next meal. But Vicky, who is the face of the brand's new crisp snacks McCain Vibes, reckons that is the one thing she is an over-achiever at. She said with a laugh: 'Finally I am above average at something. I don't think marrying Ercan helps, either, because he loves good food. "I was already a top scranner and then I met my husband and that's all we talk about. We never get bored. 'We could be eating our breakfast and talking about our lunch. "Maybe some Brits think about it more than 30 minutes a day but I am well above that.' She's a girl after my own heart. KSI: More mum fans after BGT 11 KSI says his Instagram inbox is filled up with messages from mums since his role on Britain's Got Talent Credit: PA KSI has earned more than just a hefty pay cheque from his role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent – he's gained a legion of older admirers too. The rapper yesterday released new track Catch Me If You Can, in which he jokes about mums knowing who he is, and now he's revealed his Instagram inbox is filled with messages from them. He said In an exclusive chat with Bizarre: 'I have always had mature women sliding into my DMs but I'd say BGT has definitely sky-rocketed the DMs, and them recognising me more.' KSI, who had to delay a boxing match with Dillon Danis in March due to illness, is sitting on a huge vault of tracks. He said: 'I am always working on music, so I have a lot of songs I feel are a better fit for a season, or how I feel.' Louis and Zara are so in tune 11 Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott have been cosying up Credit: BackGrid 11 Louis and Zara looked loved-up together during a trip away in Costa Rica Credit: BackGrid LOUIS TOMLINSON and Zara McDermott are clearly still in the honeymoon phase, as they looked very loved-up on a tropical getaway. The couple, who The Sun first confirmed were an item in March, have jetted off to Costa Rica and were seen getting touchy-feely while seeing the sights. Then they took things up a gear by racing off on a massive quad bike together. 11 Zara has been accompanying Louis on his trip, where he is recording new music Credit: BackGrid Louis, who was seen wearing shades and smoking a cigarette, is recording new music in the South American country, although I can't imagine he's getting much work done with Zara there to distract him. She showed off her singing skills on The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019 – nine years after Louis found fame on the same show. But given how into each other they seem, they're probably spending most of their time making sweet music of another kind. BENSON BOONE will play his first UK arena tour this autumn to celebrate his album American Heart, which is out on June 20. The Beautiful Things singer, who has just dropped his latest track Momma Song, will play in Manchester, Birmingham and London in October and November, with tickets on general sale at 10am this Thursday. Blud on canvas 11 Yungblud says promoters have been in touch since he declared plans to start boxing Credit: Getty YUNGBLUD has focused on getting fit before his new album Idols is released on June 20 by taking up boxing. And now he is planning to getting into the ring for a proper exhibition fight. He told talkSPORT: 'I'm into it, to be honest. I've been talking about it a lot more recently and all the promoters have started to hit me up. 'I think I need to get a little bit better first. I need about six months to get in shape but yeah, I think I'd be up for it.' Yungblud said he took up the sport after going to Los Angeles to work on new music. He added: 'There's this British gym called Churchill's Boxing Gym in Santa Monica. 'I said, 'I'm going to give it a try', because I used to box as a kid. I met an ex-welterweight champion called Chris Van Heerden and he became a really important role model to me and I got bitten by the bug.' Megan makes a splash 11 Megan Thee Stallion has launched her own swimwear line Credit: Getty Megan Thee Stallion is preparing to turn heads at the beach with her own swimwear line. The Hot Girl Summer rapper launched the collection with a catwalk fashion show in Miami. She wore this eye-popping silver cutout number, which would definitely have got a few pulses racing if she wore it at the seaside. The collection is currently only available in store chain Walmart in America. But somehow I doubt many people will look as good in her designs as she does, anyway. Meg said: "Everyone knows I love being near a pool or beach, so I decided to turn my passion into a business and create my own swimwear brand." Hats off to magic Morgan By Oliver Grady WHILE country singer Morgan Wallen can easily sell out arenas, he wanted to take us 'back to where it all started' as he performed at the 3,300 capacity Roundhouse in North London. During his stripped-back and unplugged set, he said 300,000 people had tried to get tickets. Fans of the Tennessee star were word perfect to tracks from his new No1 album, I'm The Problem, and things kicked off with the title track. Morgan let his whiskey-soaked vocals do the talking as he belted out the haunting number, transporting the crowd – many of whom sported identikit mullets and trucker caps to their idol – to a Nashville dive bar. Other standout moments included his emotional rendition of Superman, which Morgan wrote for his son. Sharing a sweet anecdote from when he wrote the track, Morgan told the crowd he broke down in tears as he listened to the song back for the first time on his way home from the studio. Leaving to deafening cheers, he promised he'd be back next year. And something tells us he'll be crashing those ticket sites once again. ☆☆☆☆ Ari for Parents sequel 11 Ariana Grande has landed a huge new role in the next film in the Meet The Parents franchise Credit: Getty ARIANA GRANDE has got her next huge film role – in the latest Meet The Parents sequel. The singer and actress, who earned an Oscar nomination for playing Glinda in Wicked, will join returning stars Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. But her character in the new flick, due out in November 2026, has not yet been revealed. The hit franchise has already produced three films – the 2000 original, followed by 2004's Meet The Fockers and 2010's Little Fockers. John Hamburg, who co-wrote all of the movies, is to direct the fourth instalment.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chris Hayes: Elon Musk's stint in government has been an abject failure — and wildly destructive
This is an adapted excerpt from the May 29 episode of 'All In with Chris Hayes.' To put the news in the parlance of SpaceX, it seems Elon Musk's career as co-president to Donald Trump has had a bit of a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly.' Technically, his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) campaign was always billed as temporary, but less than six months into this administration, the man who came in like some sort of MAGA rock star, who was jumping around at Trump rallies, appeared at Cabinet meetings and spoke to adoring crowds at CPAC is now slinking out the side door. By every conceivable metric, Musk's stint in government has been an abject failure. On the substance alone, it has been wildly destructive. A lot of lifelong experts in key positions have lost their jobs. Important medical research has been set back, possibly indefinitely. Government agencies are functioning worse than they were before. There are also huge ramifications for the Global South, where cuts to foreign aid will lead to needless suffering. Musk's fellow billionaire Bill Gates warned that cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, the agency Musk bragged about putting through the 'woodchipper,' could cost millions of lives throughout the world. Experts have also cautioned that tens of thousands of people could die as a result of cuts to the AIDS relief program PEPFAR. So it's clear Musk did real, substantive damage that will be hard to repair, but even by his own standards, his so-called cost-saving, efficiency program failed to achieve what it set out to do. The world's richest man promised to cut federal spending by $2 trillion. But, by his own website's shoddy math, he managed to cut just $175 billion. He barely made a dent. Even the libertarian Cato Institute, which is ideologically very supportive of DOGE's mission, wrote that Musk 'has overpromised and underdelivered on verifiable spending cuts.' Musk assumed that the government is full of lazy bureaucrats who could be fired without any meaningful consequences. But even one of his own DOGE insiders had to concede that's not actually true. In an interview, tech entrepreneur Sahil Lavingia, who Musk placed at the Department of Veterans Affairs, told Fast Company earlier this month: 'I would say the culture shock is mostly a lot of meetings, not a lot of decisions … But honestly, it's kind of fine — because the government works. It's not as inefficient as I was expecting, to be honest. I was hoping for more easy wins.' Lavingia said he found 'himself surrounded by people who 'love their jobs,' who came to the government with a sense of mission driving their work,' according to Fast Company. After that interview was published, Lavingia said his 'access was revoked without warning' and his 'DOGE days were over.' Now that it's clear Americans do not like the behavior and the cruelty of DOGE, Musk, with what is left of his tattered reputation, is doing media interviews trying to distance himself from it all. 'You know, it's not like I agree with everything the administration does,' Musk told CBS News. 'I mean, I agree with much of what the administration does, but we have differences of opinion … But it's difficult for me to bring that up in an interview because then it creates a point of contention. So then I'm a little stuck in a bind where I'm like, well, I don't want to, you know, speak out against the administration but I don't want to — I also don't want to take credit for everything the administration's doing.' It is a tough spot to be associated with those toxic Trump policies, but it's worth remembering Musk is the same guy who was on stage with a chainsaw, bragging about all the cuts he was making to the federal government. Months later, Musk is leaving in disgrace because he was wholesale rejected by everyone. We have seen report after report that members of the administration simply could not stand the guy. Back in March, The New York Times reported on an 'explosive' Cabinet meeting, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins all tore into Musk for his haphazard cuts in their respective agencies. Earlier this month, The Atlantic reported on an expletive-ridden screaming match between Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that spilled out from the Oval Office into more public areas of the West Wing. That same article also quotes the general counsel for the American Federation of Government Employees as saying, 'We kicked him out of town … If he had stayed in the shadows and done his stuff, who knows how bad it would have been? But no one likes the guy.' 'No one likes the guy' might be the best summation of Musk's foray into American politics I've encountered. But Musk's 'Waterloo moment' came in April in Wisconsin. He flew in from out of state, wore a cheesehead and flexed his newfound political muscles in the state's Supreme Court race. Musk spent a small fortune of his own money in support of the conservative candidate, Brad Schimel, but it didn't work. Schimel lost by 10 points. Wisconsin voters called Musk a 'pushy billionaire' who was 'cutting everything' and said 'he just makes me very angry.' That's not just in Wisconsin; voters everywhere don't like him. Nate Silver's polling average shows Musk's public approval more than 14 points underwater, with about 54% of Americans saying they disapprove of the billionaire. Musk's intrusion into national politics has also had real financial consequences for his companies. He has lost billions of dollars since he spent more than $270 million to get Trump elected last year. Tesla sales are down big, especially in Europe, where they crashed nearly 50% year over year last month. In the U.S., according to one report, 'A shopping center with a shuttered Bed Bath and Beyond store is in violation of a Detroit suburb's city code for storing dozens of Tesla vehicles on its parking lot.' Generally, I don't think it is good news for a car manufacturer when your flagship, luxury trucks are sitting unsold in a random parking lot somewhere outside of Detroit. Tesla shareholders are now saying the company is in crisis, sending a letter to the company demanding that Musk return to work full time. Thankfully for them, it looks like he has a lot of time on his hands right now. As Musk leaves the government worse off than he found it, it's clear his tenure in Washington was a complete failure, substantively and politically. Musk got high on his own supply and convinced himself the American public would fall in love with his antics. But it turns out, they would much rather he just go away. This article was originally published on
New York Post
2 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
Weed increases risk of major health issue — even without smoking: ‘Boy does it screw up the public health messaging'
Your best bud might be breaking your heart. Though many Americans believe daily marijuana use is safer than tobacco, a new study suggests it could increase your risk for some serious cardiovascular issues. Worse yet, gummies, teas and tinctures appear to offer no advantage over lighting up when it comes to one critical factor for your heart health. Advertisement 4 More Americans are using marijuana regularly than ever before. bukhta79 – High stakes for your heart The study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco involved 55 outwardly healthy Bay Area residents who regularly smoked marijuana or consumed THC edibles. None of the participants used nicotine, and all of them consumed cannabis at least three times a week for a year or more. Smokers averaged 10 years of chronic use; edible users, five. Advertisement Researchers found blood vessel function in regular cannabis users was about half that of non-users — putting them on par with tobacco smokers. 'We found that vascular function was reduced by 42% in marijuana smokers and by 56% in THC-edible users compared to nonusers,' Dr. Leila Mohammadi, lead author of the study, told CNN. That surprised co-author Dr. Matthew Springer. Groups like the American Heart Association had previously suggested edibles might be less harmful to the heart. 'When I first saw the THC result, I said to Leila, 'Scientifically, this THC result is really interesting but boy does it screw up the public health messaging,'' he told SFGATE. Advertisement 4 Studies suggest that smoked marijuana is the most commonly used form. Impact Photography – Notably, researchers found that only marijuana smokers had harmful changes in their blood serum that negatively affected their endothelial cells. These cells line the inside of blood and lymph vessels and help regulate blood flow. Advertisement Springer said this could mean smoking marijuana delivers a 'double whammy' of damage to heart health. The researchers emphasized that while their study indicates a strong association between chronic marijuana or THC use and vascular damage, it doesn't definitively prove the link. Still, it adds to mounting evidence that chronic cannabis use could be bad news for the heart. A 2024 study found daily marijuana use increase heart attack risk by 25% and stroke risk by 42%. 4 Chronic marijuana use may increase your risk of cardiovascular problems. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'The public (and the medical field) should view cannabis and THC itself as products that are not without health risks,' Springer told Newsweek. 'THC seems to have some beneficial effects also, so there needs to be a balance between risk and benefit that is best decided with both eyes open,' he added. Research suggests that marijuana has the potential to ease chronic pain and reduce muscle spasms and stiffness linked to MS. Advertisement Cannabis products have also been shown to boost appetite in HIV/AIDS and cancer patients, and combat chemo-related nausea. Other potential benefits include easing stress, alleviating PTSD symptoms and aiding sleep in some people. 4 Research suggests that marijuana may help alleviate symptoms linked to several chronic health conditions. contentdealer – Springer and Mohammadi are calling for longer, larger studies to pun down exactly how marijuana and THC affect heart health — and to find out if there's a safe level of use. Advertisement The study comes as more Americans are using marijuana regularly than ever before. While alcohol is still more widely used overall, heavy marijuana use beat out heavy drinking for the first time in 2022, according to Carnegie Mellon researchers. That year, about 17.7 million Americans used cannabis daily or near-daily — compared to 14.7 million who drank that often. It marks a staggering 15-fold jump in chronic cannabis use since 1992. Advertisement Marijuana remains illegal federally, but 38 states and DC have legalized it for medical use. Of those, 24 states and DC have also cleared the way for adults 21 and over to use it recreationally. The recent legalization efforts have sparked a boom in cannabis use. In 2024, 47% of Americans said they'd tried marijuana at least once — up from 34% in 1999, according to Gallup polling.
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
US defunding puts fight against AIDS, TB and malaria in jeopardy
Progress in tackling TB and other killer infectious diseases could be at risk as America and smaller donors pull back their supports, the Global Fund executive director has warned. The fund, supported by Ireland and other EU countries as well as the Gates Foundation and private donors, spends around $5bn annually tackling AIDS, TB and malaria in over 120 countries. Peter Sands warned: 'We actually ended 2024 with a real sense of momentum in the fight against TB, but since then we've had some major disruptions to ODA (official development assistance) and global health funding. 'So there is a real risk at this point as to whether or not we can sustain that momentum.' While the covid-19 pandemic disrupted aid programmes, he said until recently there was 'a strong recovery' in TB statistics. President Trump's shock defunding of USAID and other programmes, as well as cuts by Britain and others, have changed that landscape. Some 95% of HIV funding worldwide was either through the American PEPFAR funds or the Global Fund. The sudden drop in American funding is 'a significant concern', according to Mr Sands. 'So in some countries for example we would buy the antiretroviral treatments (for HIV patients) and PEPFAR would pay for the clinics,' he said. It means these gaps now have to be filled. Mr Sands visited Dublin this week to discuss Ireland's contribution to the fund's next three-year cycle. Ireland has donated over €339m since 2001. He welcomed Ireland's donations and its 'active engagement' in the board and other works. 'There's a moral argument for stopping so many people dying from a disease we know how to treat and can stop,' he said. 'There's also a more self-interested argument that says we're playing with fire by not getting more on top of it.' The fund buys from Ireland too including rapid diagnostic tests and medicines mainly for HIV programmes. Last year this came to about $4m (€3.5m). It also supports the buying of medicines at large-scale to negotiate lower prices. For example, a year's supply of HIV antiviral treatment dropped from $10,000 per person per year in 2002 to about $35 now, he explained. 'So we continue to drive the cost down working with manufacturers,' he said. Malaria is a particular concern as it is now spreading due to climate change. He added: 'It's the biggest killer of children in Sudan now. To put in perspective, some of the poorest countries in the world are having an intensity of disease burden that feels like the worst of covid-19 all the time. 'If you go to hospitals and clinics in somewhere like Chad or northern Nigeria 50% to 80% of the activity in those health facilities is malaria all the time.' In Ukraine, the fund supports a local NGO to run mobile health clinics especially for areas where hospitals were destroyed by the conflict. 'They have a significant HIV and TB challenge which has been made worse by the war,' he said. Doctors had to develop 'quite sophisticated tracking systems' to make sure people continue to receive the right treatment even when they flee to safer areas, he said.
