Is this trans thought experiment just wrong?

@john2001plus
16 hours ago (edited)
A person's feelings about their body do not make a man a woman or a woman a man, nor is it possible to make the switch.  A trans person will never be able to produce children. The changes are cosmetic only and don't change the fundamental reality of a person's biology.  It seems to me that people are sold a lie about gender affirming care.

From what I read, some people do benefit psychologically from surgery.  However, this is a serious operation that does irreversible damage to the body, with potential complications.  Maybe psychological care would be more appropriate?

Some of us didn't exactly win the genetics lottery. We have to deal with the reality of our bodies instead of some fantasy.  Surgery only becomes needed when it is medically necessary.

What heat waves and climate change mean for kidney stones

https://weather.com/2026/07/04/news/trending/video/heat-waves-climate-change-kidney-stones-explained

Delayed Release Scam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SjbBOTzYDY&t=460s

How Stress Changes Your Brain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvtsVHzMLwY

What the Flu Does to Your Body

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5-dE2nCzjM

YouTube Shorts are going to change

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9DwiHTO4bUw

I don't really like YouTube shorts for a few reasons.  

1. The videos repeat over and over.

2. I can't easily add shorts to a playlist.  They used to allow this, but they stopped.  It might still work on the iPhone YouTube app.  

In a web browser, I found a workaround, by changing the address to look like this: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DwiHTO4bUw

3.  Shorts are designed to get people addicted by getting them to scroll all day long.

Watch This Before You Take Fish Oil (Protect Your Heart)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpzX3NQzmio

I don't have a vested interest in this.  I found the video convincing enough to order the following...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/184395590

The brand recommended in the video I could not easily find.  It appears to be available in Europe.

I figure that trying this once isn't going to hurt anything.

Just as interesting is the following video about how to "easily" lose visceral fat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0PWUoDCaeg

Recently, I have taken an interest in "resistant starches" because he talks about them in multiple videos.  Something as simple as chips and salsa has resistant starches in the chips and lycopene in the salsa. Also, refrigerating bread or rice for a day will make it more resistant. 

 

I used to eat salads, but I have been more nervous about lettuce lately.  I have substituted chips and salsa.  I find it very filling, which would make sense because it is high in fiber.

P.S. Someone in my life is trying to convince me to go on a GLP-1.  I'm looking into it.  I want to wait till January.  Medicare Part D will pay for it until the end of 2027.

New Rule: Fauci & Fame | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tyF1UgSecU

5 Foods Feeding Silent Inflammation (and What to Eat Instead)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEP2f9BloeM

My friend got prion disease. We watched her forget who we are

Trump Administration Ends Medicare Part D Subsidies - Here's What It Means

Why Fauci's Pardon Won't Protect Him From This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_1u6wW8uMI&t=808s

@john2001plus

Rand Paul is using Fauci as a punching bag, trying to implicate Fauci for the pandemic, implying that it was created in a lab, to which Fauci provided a modest amount of funding to catalog bat viruses.  However, none of this is supported by evidence, so this is just a witch hunt.

Many conservative commentators that I like regularly make statements about the pandemic that aren't supported by research.  The truth is that masks and the vaccines slowed the spread of the disease.  I have read the studies.  The truth is that the vaccines reduced overall mortality at all ages.

Fauci deserves at least some credit for dealing with a major crisis under difficult circumstances.  Instead, people want to condemn him over actions they find questionable.  It is easy to second-guess people when you are not the one facing tremendous responsibility.

Scientists Regrow Teeth Using Human Saliva

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLesHyxwxs8

Study Shows Coffee May Slow Ageing, But The Type You Drink Matters

 https://says.com/my/news/filtered-instant-coffee-biological-aging-study

Filtered Coffee Linked to Slower Biological Aging, Unlike Instant Coffee

https://www.bgnes.com/health/filtered-coffee-linked-to-slower-biological-aging-unlike-instant-coffee-study-finds

"It's just some back pain," he thought

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYEoKHcvYeI

Don't freak about cyclospora, yet

Caffeine and Adenosine Receptors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YOwEqGykDM

https://www.google.com/search?q=caffeine+and+adenosine+receptors&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1159US1159&oq=caffeine+and+ade&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCEAAYgAQyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIJCAgQABgKGIAEMggICRAAGBYYHtIBCDY5NzRqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&source=chrome.ob&ie=UTF-8

I quit caffeine a couple of different times by carefully measuring my intake and reducing it by a tiny amount every week.  I was methodical about it, and my brain didn't notice the change from one week to the next.

That is currently my goal, but I'm in love with the boost I get in the morning from coffee.  I quickly go from groggy to fully alert.  Most Americans do the same thing.

When I wasn't consuming caffeine, just drinking liquid in the morning helped me get started.

Coffee is beneficial to health because of antioxidants, but we can get antioxidants from other sources.

Re: Cyclospora

On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 5:12 PM Grant  wrote:

Here in Utah, Taco Bell is highly suspect because they get their lettuce from Mexico.  

For a long time I liked to eat salads.  But lettuce doesn't keep very long and now I am highly suspicious of things like that.

I eat Roma tomatoes for the higher lycopene content.

I have concluded that a moderate amount of chips with salsa is healthy, and a good substitute for salads.  The high fiber is filling and helps with appetite. 

Tortilla chips are high in resistant starch, which is linked to some health benefits.

Google AI says...

Yes, lycopene is highly beneficial. It is a potent antioxidant found in red foods like tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. It protects your cells from oxidative stress and is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, prostate cancer, and strokes. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

For maximum benefit, consider these key details:

Better with fat: Lycopene is fat-soluble. Eating lycopene-rich foods with healthy fats (like cooking tomatoes in olive oil or eating them with avocado) boosts your body's absorption by up to 4.4 times. [1, 2, 3]
Better when cooked: Heating and processing tomatoes (e.g., in tomato paste, sauce, or salsa) actually makes lycopene more bioavailable than eating them raw. [1]

Yes, salsa contains lycopene. Because tomatoes are the primary ingredient in traditional red salsa, the condiment is packed with this powerful antioxidant. Lycopene is linked to reduced inflammation, better heart health, and a lower risk of certain cancers. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The bioavailability of lycopene actually improves when tomatoes are cooked, processed, or mixed with a little fat (like avocado), making this flavorful condiment an excellent way to boost your daily nutrient intake. [1, 2, 3]

Yes, resistant starch is highly beneficial. It bypasses small intestine digestion, reaching the colon intact to feed beneficial gut bacteria. This produces short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate) that improve gut health, stabilize blood sugar, increase satiety, and support heart health. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key benefits of resistant starch include:

Blood Sugar Control: Because it resists digestion, it does not cause blood sugar spikes. Some research indicates it can also increase insulin sensitivity. [1, 2]
Gut Health & Digestion: It acts as a prebiotic, nourishing your microbiome and protecting the lining of the colon, which may lower the risk of colorectal cancer. [1, 2]
Weight Management: By fueling the production of satiety hormones like GLP-1, it helps you feel full longer. [1]

You can naturally incorporate resistant starch into your diet by eating legumes, seeds, unripe (green) bananas, and whole grains. Additionally, cooking and subsequently cooling starchy carbohydrates (like rice, pasta, and potatoes) turns them into resistant starches. [1, 2]

Yes, corn tortillas contain resistant starch. The traditional process of making them—called nixtamalization, where corn is soaked in an alkaline lime solution—alters the starch and naturally increases resistant starch. [1, 2, 3]

You can boost the resistant starch content even further by cooking and cooling them (e.g., storing them in the fridge), which causes the starches to crystallize and become more resistant to digestion. For example, fresh corn tortillas might contain roughly 2.6 g of resistant starch, but this can increase to over 3.5 g after being chilled in the refrigerator. [1, 2, 3]

Cyclospora

“You can and should continue to eat fruits and vegetables, but you might want to take additional precautions depending on where you live,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety at Consumer Reports, who notes that so far, the majority of infections have been reported in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky. “If you’re in one of those states, I recommend avoiding eating lettuce and salad greens until we know more, but currently, there is no data to support avoiding fruits and vegetables generally.”

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/you-shouldnt-avoid-fruits-and-vegetables-due-to-cyclospora-a9570579349/

Scientists Create Indestructible Medicine

China Launches First CAR-T Therapy for Solid Tumours

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0OoFApHLXc

Does Prevagen Really Work?

Reducing the Risk From Arsenic in Rice

Our team tested three cooking methods ... 

 

...adding rice to boiling water, cooking 5 minutes, and then draining the rice and cooking it in fresh water—known as the parboiling and absorption method..

...the parboiling and absorption method reduced the inorganic arsenic content in short- and long-grain brown and white rice by 50 and 58 percent, respectively. This could be a very effective strategy for families looking to reduce arsenic exposure while still eating rice. “In some cultures, people already prepare rice this way, and it appears to have a protective effect,”

Akinleye says. There is also data from other studies indicating that cooking rice like pasta and discarding the excess water can remove between 40 and 60 percent of the arsenic in rice, according to the FDA.

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/arsenic-in-rice-reducing-risk-a8972350937/

Based on this, I think that the boil-in-the-bag method might be the easiest and still helpful.

I haven't cooked rice for years.  However, I order Chinese food 2 to 4 times per month.

I own a small rice cooker that I haven't used.

Why We Can't "Cure" Cancer

Scientists discover a protein switch that burns fat and blocks new fat cells

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260624115324.htm 

It’s never too late to exercise

https://www.thegoan.net/global-goenkar/it%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2s-never-too-late-to-exercise/53125.html

Sugar Alcohols Ruined My Health

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5v61YtDYo4

@john2001plus
2 years ago
I didn't notice sugar-alcohols in very many products.  I have occasionally bought no-sugar-added mini-pies that contain sugar-alcohols.  They give me gas, but as long as I eat them in moderation, I am fine.  Too much can have a laxative effect.

Rank These Breakfast Foods

The Most Important Dementia Description You'll Ever Hear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIzulcF8nWo

Cutting all sugar from your diet may harm gut health, new study finds

https://www.foxnews.com/health/zero-sugar-problems-study-reveals-surprising-gut-health-effects

Why Gatorade is a Ripoff (Make This Instead)

Coffee

On Sat, Jun 13, 2026 at 12:35 AM NN  wrote:

Coffee is a mixed bag.  It nearly killed my brother, but I think he drank more than a cup a day.   Caffeine apparently contributed to my prostate problems.  i.e. caffeinated drinks feed the cancer cells, so I gave up Dr Pepper and Coke. Sugar contributes to some cancers, but my doctor said it appears to be irrelevant for prostate cancer.    

Recently there was a study that said that people age in spurts.

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/08/massive-biomolecular-shifts-occur-in-our-40s-and-60s--stanford-m.html

I recall the study saying that people don't process caffeine as well after age 60.  

I was drinking regular strength coffee, but I had a problem where my heart rate would stay high for hours.  I substituted 50% decaf and did better.

Coffee is a diuretic. It definitely affects me.  Like many people my age, I have to get up in the middle of the night to urinate.  If I limit myself to one large cup of 50% decaf then I have a better chance of making it through the night.

My plan is to lower my caffeine intake gradually, but I haven't done it yet.   I managed to quit caffeine this way a couple of different times.

Caffeine can be a slippery slope.  I always want more.

--

Best wishes,

John Coffey

http://www.entertainmentjourney.com

The Grad Student Who Broke Microplastics Research

Scientists Create Gum That Kills 99.97% of Cancer-Causing Bacteria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRfuFTpldAk

Scientists Eliminate Pancreatic Tumours

The Lone Star Tick is TERRIFYING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ac-WM4KHws

My uncle has a hard time eating meat because of a tick.

The Key to Aging in Reverse

https://www.wfla.com/bloom-tampa-bay/the-key-to-aging-in-reverse/

The problem with this article is that it does not explain any of its terms, such as “hermetic,” nor does it support its claims with research.

It reads more like a checklist than a serious article.

I have heard these claims before, so they may have some merit. However, if it were really possible to reverse aging, it would be major news, and there would be substantial research to support it.

I've seen other articles on how to lengthen telomeres.  Longer telomeres could mean longer life.  Mostly it is about living a healthy lifestyle.  However, I plan to look into this more.

Cancer Mystery Solved: Scientists Discover How Melanoma Becomes “Immortal”

Every time a healthy cell divides, its telomeres become slightly shorter. Scientists often compare telomeres to the plastic tips on shoelaces because they help protect chromosomes from fraying or breaking apart.

Eventually, telomeres shrink to a critical length, triggering a process called replicative senescence. At that point, the cell can no longer divide. This natural limit acts as one of the body’s important defenses against cancer.

Tumors must bypass that barrier to survive.

Many cancers accomplish this by reactivating telomerase, an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres and extends a cell’s lifespan. In melanoma, mutations in the TERT gene, which produces telomerase, are especially common. About 75% of melanoma tumors carry these mutations.

But there was a puzzle researchers could not explain.

https://scitechdaily.com/cancer-mystery-solved-scientists-discover-how-melanoma-becomes-immortal/

How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/nutrition-healthy-eating/how-much-protein-do-you-really-need-a2065027197/

From the article I calculate that I should eat 5.67 ounces of protein per day.  I don't nornally read food labels for the protein content, but now I am curious.

The Most Impressive Anti-Aging Supplement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fauPpkI8Z18

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35975308/

I'm not saying that anyone should buy this, but I decided to order this product...

https://www.amazon.com/MYOXCIENCE-Glycine-Supreme-N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine-Combination/dp/B0BNSY4MRD?th=1

As always, I would like to see more research.

Google AI says the following...

GlyNAC (a combination of Glycine and N-acetylcysteine) is highly beneficial as a strategy for healthy aging, specifically by boosting natural glutathione levels. 

Research indicates that as people age, their ability to synthesize glutathione—the body's "master antioxidant"—declines. GlyNAC provides the necessary precursors to restore these levels, which in turn recharges cellular "batteries" (mitochondria) and combats oxidative stress. 

Key Health Benefits

Clinical trials and research studies highlight several specific areas of improvement:

• Brain Health & Cognition: Supplementation has been shown to reverse age-associated cognitive decline and support overall brain health in both human and animal models.
• Physical Strength & Mobility: Older adults taking GlyNAC experienced significant improvements in muscle strength, gait speed, and exercise capacity.
• Metabolic Health: Studies found GlyNAC reduces insulin resistance and improves mitochondrial fuel oxidation, which is particularly beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes or metabolic dysfunction.
• Cellular Protection: It reduces chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and genomic damage (DNA damage), which are key hallmarks of aging.
• Specific Conditions: Benefits have also been observed in patients with HIV, where it helped correct premature aging defects and improved quality of life. 

Comparison: GlyNAC vs. Glutathione

While one might assume taking glutathione directly is better, researchers often prefer GlyNAC because: 

• Bioavailability: Oral glutathione is often broken down in the stomach before it can be used.
• Synthesis: GlyNAC provides the specific building blocks (glycine and cysteine) needed for cells to produce their own glutathione according to demand. 

Dick Van Dyke, 99, names the two things to avoid to live a long life

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/mind-and-soul/dick-van-dyke-99-names-the-two-things-to-avoid-to-live-a-long-life/ar-AA1R92Sr

This article is 5 months old.  Dick Van Dyke is already 100.

Why Do Men Live Shorter Lives?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYTc3IVf0cc

Which Country Has The Most Unhealthiest Diet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuvXiCN1a_o

The Disaster I Never Imagined Having To Worry About

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksn5yrsC3Wg

I found this really interesting, but I assume that most people wouldn't want to watch the full 33 minute video.  

The bottom line is that the AIDS drug Ritonavir started crystallizing during production making it not useful. This is because chemicals can take different arrangements called polymorphs.  Once the process starts, it is impossible to stop because the crystals are self-replicating, and it is not simply a matter of cleaning or replacing all the equipment.

This process could affect many drugs we take.  One researcher made it happen with aspirin.

This problem has led to increased medical regulation requiring research on possible polymorphs.

Busting Nutrition Myths with Dr. Jessica Knurick

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW7PIng-NdE&t=2113s

Massive biomolecular shifts occur in our 40s and 60s, Stanford Medicine researchers find

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/08/massive-biomolecular-shifts-occur-in-our-40s-and-60s--stanford-m.html

Scientific research suggests that aging is not a smooth, linear decline but rather a non-linear process characterized by "bursts" or "waves" of rapid molecular change. 

Major Aging "Bursts"

Recent studies focusing on molecular and protein shifts in the blood and organs have identified several critical threshold ages where biological changes significantly accelerate:

• Age 44: The first major transition point. It involves shifts in molecules related to the metabolism of lipids, alcohol, and caffeine. Changes here are also linked to cardiovascular health and decline in skin and muscle integrity.
• Age 60: A second peak marked by dramatic shifts in immune regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, and kidney function. This corresponds with a sharp rise in the risk for age-related diseases like cardiovascular issues and Type 2 diabetes.
• Age 78: Earlier research also identified a significant shift around this age, specifically related to "old age" biological markers, though some recent studies had cohorts too young to confirm this specific peak. 

Age	Primary Biological Changes
~44 Years	Lipid and alcohol metabolism; skin and muscle decline; cardiovascular markers.
~60 Years	Immune system regulation; carbohydrate metabolism; kidney function; sharp rise in disease risk.
~78 Years	Advanced proteomic changes typically associated with late-life biological aging.

Scientific Insights

• Non-linear Nature: For decades, aging was viewed as a gradual accumulation of cellular damage. New "multi-omics" profiling shows that protein levels in the blood stay constant for long periods before undergoing "sudden upward or downward shifts".
• Organ-Specific Aging: Different parts of the body do not age in sync. For example, the aorta (heart) and blood vessels may show accelerated aging signals as early as age 50, followed later by the pancreas and spleen.
• Shared Between Sexes: While a peak in the mid-40s was initially thought to be linked to menopause, researchers found that men experience similar dramatic molecular shifts at the same age, suggesting deeper biological drivers beyond hormonal changes. 

A Man Ate Gas Station Nachos 😳

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQT6WvbGxy0

9 Foods Most People Don´t Realize Cause Cancer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGmZJdV6xwA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_WqysSAZnY

The Most Radioactive Place On Earth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2KFNdLqAiU

Fungus 🍄 Is Evolving Like Never Before

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PxNCgRiPYQ

The Fastest Way to Reverse Brain Aging (Science-backed)

The easiest way to make the world smarter

The Starbucks Situation is INSANE

20% of Americans are on a GLP-1

The Unique Benefits of Propolis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LePHVeGDwAk

This might not be good for people with allergies.  I have allergies, but so far I tolerate this supplement.

When it comes to reported health benefits, I am skeptical of many claims.  I try to verify the claims looking at one or more scientific papers.

This is what Google AI tells me...

Scientific research identifies bee propolis as a complex resinous substance with over 500 identified chemical compounds, primarily polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Extensive literature reviews and clinical trials demonstrate that propolis exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties. 

Key Therapeutic Benefits

Recent scientific papers highlight several major health applications for propolis:

• Metabolic Health & Glycemic Control: Propolis supplementation has been shown to significantly decrease fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in both healthy individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes. It may improve insulin sensitivity and protect pancreatic and renal tissues from oxidative damage.
• Wound Healing & Burn Care: Propolis promotes tissue regeneration by modulating inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and enhancing growth factors like VEGF, which drives angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation). It is particularly effective for second-degree burns and diabetic foot ulcers due to its dual anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions.
• Neuroprotection: Bioactive compounds in propolis, such as pinocembrin and CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester), can cross the blood-brain barrier. They protect neurons from oxidative stress and apoptosis, showing potential for treating neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
• Antimicrobial & Antiviral Activity: Propolis acts as a natural antibiotic, disrupting bacterial cell walls and inhibiting protein synthesis. It is effective against various pathogens, including MRSA, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, it shows strong antiherpetic activity, outperforming some standard treatments like acyclovir in healing cold sores.
• Cardiovascular Support: Propolis may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure, decreasing triglycerides, and increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. 

Scientific Evidence Summary

Study Type	Key Findings on Propolis Benefits
Clinical Trial (Athletes)	Significant reduction in oxidative stress markers (MDA, TOS) and inflammation (IL-6) following intense exercise; no direct effect on athletic performance.
Clinical Trial (Healthy Adults)	Daily 1000mg dose for 60 days significantly reduced FBG and HbA1c, though it was associated with slight increases in body weight and BMI.
Systematic Review (Allergy)	Promising results for treating asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis by inhibiting mast cell and basophil activation.
Comparative Analysis (Wound Care)	Propolis extract resulted in faster wound closure and smaller average wound diameters in second-degree burns compared to standard silver sulfadiazine treatments.

Composition and Standardization Challenges

The chemical makeup of propolis is highly variable, depending on the geographical region, bee species, and botanical sources. For example, Brazilian green propolis is uniquely rich in artepillin C, while European propolis typically contains higher concentrations of simple phenolic acids and flavonoids like pinocembrin. This lack of standardization is a primary reason propolis is not yet fully integrated into modern medicine despite its proven benefits. 

Safety and Side Effects

Propolis is generally considered safe with an excellent clinical profile. However, some risks exist: 

• Hypersensitivity: Allergic reactions, including dermatitis and swelling, are the most common side effects, particularly with topical application.
• Renal Health: A case report suggests high doses might adversely affect individuals with existing severe kidney dysfunction, though other studies show renoprotective effects in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. 

also...

Yes, bee propolis acts as a natural anticoagulant and antiplatelet agent, meaning it can slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. It works by inhibiting platelet aggregation and potentially enhancing clot breakdown. It should be avoided before surgeries and when taking blood-thinning medication like warfarin.