L/A Community Acupuncture

What to do in extreme heat? The link below has solid advice (in many different languages.)

While actual high temperatures are expected to reach the 90s, tropical-level humidity will make it feel significantly hotter, with some locations potentially experiencing heat index values approaching 110 degrees by Thursday.

Equally concerning will be the lack of nighttime relief, with overnight lows remaining in the 70s, allowing heat stress to build over several consecutive days.

p.s. The clinic will be cool. Come get some acupuncture - we have a handful of spots still open for Thursday.

Extreme Heat Before Extreme Heat During Extreme Heat Heat-Related Illnesses Summer Break Additional Resources

I recently learned about "gas station he**in." I'm sharing more about this since I only recently learned about it, and because I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that an op**te is available at gas stations and smoke/v**e shops, often in candy-colored packaging that's clearly marketed to young people.

Gas station he**in is a substance called 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine). It's widely available in Maine. It's sold in various forms - pills, drinks, gummies, powder packets, mini "ice cream cones." You do not need a prescription or an ID to get it.

Please note, I am NOT referring to the ground leaves of kratom leaf (Mitragyna speciosa).

Instead, 7-OH is an ultra-potent, often semi-synthetic derivative of kratom leaf. It is a specific alkaloid that is extracted or manufactured to create a highly concentrated product that binds aggressively to the brain's opioid receptors. Because it is so strong and because it directly impacts the brain, the likelihood of rapid tolerance, dependence, and severe overdose is vastly higher.

***Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse an overdose from 7-OH.

Because 7-OH's binding affinity is 14 to 22 times that of morphine, a single dose of naloxone might not be enough to fully reverse an overdose — having more than one dose on hand is a good idea

Withdrawal from 7-OH is considered worse than he**in withdrawal.

Substance abuse treatment centers are reporting sharp increases in 7-OH addiction cases.

The FDA has referred to 7-OH as the "fourth wave" of the opioid epidemic.

Classifying it as an opioid or controlled substance requires DEA scheduling action, which hasn't yet happened. The FDA recommended in July 2025 that 7-OH be classified as a Schedule I drug (like he**in). But the DEA is dragging its feet in classifying this substance, in large part due to kratom industry lobbies.

Be aware that 7-OH is often mislabeled as "kratom" or with names like "Ultra Seven." Again, 7-OH is NOT the same as ground kratom leaf. Labeling of this product is not always clear or correct.

In Maine, it's often displayed at gas station counters, near the energy drinks. (A quick search will show you all the candy-colored ways this substance is marketed, especially to young people.)

In every way, 7-OH is pharmacologically and clinically an opioid, but it's just not a scheduled one yet...and you can get it at the gas station.

What to do?

1. Read move about it. Inform others; avoid fear-based moralizing and stick with clear information. (I personally sat my 13 year old daughter down and had a direct conversation with her about the addiction science, wide availability, and potency of this substance.)
2. Carry Narcan.
3. Speak up and offer information if you see it at your local gas station or v**e shop. There have been a handful of cases in which the owners of the gas stations have willingly removed it from the shelves.
4. Email or call your state reps. Maine currently has no age limit, no labeling requirement, and no KCPA (Kratom Consumer Protection Act). KCPA has passed in 30+ states. Not yet in Maine.
5. For a good review of how a state is effectively dealing with this destructive substance, see the comments re: Florida and 7-OH.

In sum, true-acupuncture (TA) was found to be superior to the sham-acupuncture (SA) in improving motor recovery and neurological deficits post-stroke.

Limitations? Small group (56 patients), short study (only 2 weeks), and all patients received standard rehab in addition to true/sham acupuncture.

My take: I've been treating post-stroke patients since I was an intern almost 20 years ago. The sooner a patient can come in for acupuncture, the better the results. (Acupuncture can also help improve mood, which is always affected by such a traumatic medical event.)

Neuroplastic Mechanisms of Acupuncture in Post‐Stroke Motor Recovery: A Randomized Multimodal MRI Trial This randomized controlled trial found the true-acupoint (TA) intervention to be superior to the sham-acupoint (SA) intervention in improving motor recovery and neurological deficits post-stroke. TA ...

The clinic is cool and dry and clean... yet warm. ;)

There are spots open this afternoon if you'd like a "reset" before the weekend!

Themes of the week: arthritic fingers, limb swelling, headaches due to pressure changes in the weather, late spring allergies, and neck and shoulder tension. And always, anxiety.

We can help with all of it!

Solstice Yoga Nidra: acupuncture & guided meditation

Friday 6/19 6:30-8pm

Chill Yoga Lewiston, ME (pre-registration only)

Join Julie Gammon E-RYT/LMT and me (Lauren!) for this deeply relaxing session of acupuncture and yoga nidra guided meditation.

$45 PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED asap, limited to 14 participants.

(Registration link in comments)

A few open spots today, including a 5pm!

(Wed, May 27th)