3 ms·

> If we look at another societal thing that historically a huge chunk of the population did -- smoking -- it was known that it kills you, horribly, but it took

> If we look at another societal thing that historically a huge chunk of the population did -- smoking -- it was known that it kills you, horribly, but it took taken more than sixty to eighty years for the public to get that message, and now society is slowly adjusting [at least in Europe] with real public benefits. If an effect is present with alcohol, even a small one, the integrated effect would be massive and it's a very scientifically valid question to ask. But it's not if an effect is present: we do in fact know that alcohol consumption causes cancer. The link is well-established. What is surprising is that most people aren't aware that this link exists. IIRC the number of Americans aware of the link is something like 30%. According to this (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/08/only-one-10-britons-know-alcohol-causes-cancer-survey-finds https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/08/only-one-10-...) only 1 in 10 Britons is aware. (I assume even fewer people are aware that processed meat causes cancer.) I understand what you're saying, of course, given that there might be some benefits that outweigh the risks when you calculate overall mortality. However, speaking personally, I think I would rather die of heart disease than cancer. In fact, compared to death by cancer, a heart attack sounds like a blessing (of course I'm aware there are other, slower and also nasty ways to go that are related to heart disease — but still). The main issue being, of course, that at least a slow death gives you some time to say goodbye and arrange your affairs. Still: I'd rather go quick and clean. It's a morbid subject, but after recently reading The Emperor Of All Maladies, a masterful "biography" of cancer, this has been on my mind quite a bit. I love to drink, but I'm wondering if it's worth it.

bserge 5y ago
You don't have to die of cancer. If you got it, and you're sure it's terminal, there's really not much need to wait, there are ways. I'm still an alcoholic. I may drink less than before, but it's the only drug that affects GABA receptors that I can reliably get. If doctors won't help me, well, it's the only thing that keeps me sane lol. I used to be careful with drugs, now I try everything I can get my hands on and note the results. It became sort of a hobby of mine. Still remember the time I was fading in and out of consciousness from phenylethylamine and alcohol (wack interaction, do not recommend), the absolute despair that 7+ grams of pure GABA puts me into, and the time I passed out and pissed myself on too much Imipramine+L-DOPA+Valerian extract. Ah, if only I could get the good stuff that works for my actual problems, but apparently prescriptions are not for subhuman citizens like me. If I die, I die. If I become disabled/impaired, I die. Harder than it sounds, but I'm gonna test the limits.
- rargramble 5y ago
  Most normal people don't have death wishes.
- pmlamotte 5y ago
  Have you given kava a try? I reduced my alcohol consumption significantly to only rare occasions, and have recently found that kava serves as a nice substitute. The effects aren't as pronounced and you don't get the impaired judgement/reduced cognition, but I consider that a plus.

bserge 5y ago

You don't have to die of cancer. If you got it, and you're sure it's terminal, there's really not much need to wait, there are ways. I'm still an alcoholic. I may drink less than before, but it's the only drug that affects GABA receptors that I can reliably get. If doctors won't help me, well, it's the only thing that keeps me sane lol. I used to be careful with drugs, now I try everything I can get my hands on and note the results. It became sort of a hobby of mine. Still remember the time I was fading in and out of consciousness from phenylethylamine and alcohol (wack interaction, do not recommend), the absolute despair that 7+ grams of pure GABA puts me into, and the time I passed out and pissed myself on too much Imipramine+L-DOPA+Valerian extract. Ah, if only I could get the good stuff that works for my actual problems, but apparently prescriptions are not for subhuman citizens like me. If I die, I die. If I become disabled/impaired, I die. Harder than it sounds, but I'm gonna test the limits.

rargramble 5y ago
Most normal people don't have death wishes.
pmlamotte 5y ago
Have you given kava a try? I reduced my alcohol consumption significantly to only rare occasions, and have recently found that kava serves as a nice substitute. The effects aren't as pronounced and you don't get the impaired judgement/reduced cognition, but I consider that a plus.