Do you have a medicine cabinet which is full of expired drugs and medicines? Or you could have a cabinet with medicines you no longer use and now you want to discard them, but do not know the best way to dispose of them.

As per the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), there is a drug take back program under the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. In fact many communities have their own local programs where you can have a DEA-authorized collector in your community. You can also check with your pharmacist if they collect on-site or have drop-off boxes of medicines.

How Can You Dispose of Medicine at Home?

In a lot of places the take back option is not available. So, there are two ways to dispose medicines at home, depending on the drug.

Flushing Medicines

There are some medicines which could be harmful to others, thus they best way to dispose them is by immediately flushing them down the sink or toilet.

How can you know whether you should dispose your medicines. You can check the label or the patient information leaflet with your medicine. You can also consult the US Food and Administration's (FDA) list of medicines recommended for disposal by flushing.

However, it is important that you do not flush the medicine unless it is on the flush list.

Disposing it with household trash

When take back program is not available, you can throw the medicines in your household trash. These medicines mostly include over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, including pills, liquids, drops, patches, and creams.

The correct way to do it:

• Remove the drug form their original container and mix them with something undesirable, which could be coffee ground, dirt or even cat litter. This can make medicines less appealing, and keep them away from strays.

• You can then place the mixture in a sealable zipper bag, an empty can or something that can prevent the drug from leaking or spilling out.

• Throw the container in garbage. Scratch out all or any personal information on the medicine packaging details.

Safe Disposal of Fentanyl Patches

Fentanyl patches contain a powerful opioid medication designed for pain relief. These adhesive patches deliver medicine through the skin, but even after use, they still retain a significant amount of the drug. Because of this, fentanyl patches come with specific disposal instructions, which include flushing used or leftover patches to prevent accidental exposure or misuse.

Proper Disposal of Inhalers

Inhalers are commonly used by individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, these aerosol products require careful handling during disposal. Many inhalers contain pressurized canisters that can be hazardous if punctured, burned, or incinerated. To ensure safe disposal and comply with local waste management laws, always check the product labeling and contact your local trash and recycling facility for guidance.

Flushing Medications and Water Safety

A common concern is whether flushing certain medications is safe when drug take-back programs are not readily available. Some worry that traces of medications could end up in rivers, lakes, or even drinking water supplies.

According to Dr. Raanan Bloom, an environmental assessment expert at the FDA, drug residues primarily enter water systems when people take medications and their bodies naturally excrete the substances. Many medicines are not fully absorbed or metabolized, which means they can pass through wastewater treatment systems into the environment.

Both the FDA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency take environmental concerns seriously. However, studies show no evidence of harm from flushing medications recommended for disposal in this way. In fact, an FDA assessment found that the environmental impact of flushing these drugs is minimal.

Being in love, having somebody you deeply care for or enjoying the company of that special someone can be a great feeling- the elevated feeling of being on cloud nine and the joy it brings people yearning for a healthy and loving relationship. Everyone claims love changes people, and there are many biological bodily changes that take place when you are in love.

Here are some ways love can change the way you are.

It Gives You a Dopamine Rush

When you fall in love, your brain gets flooded with dopamine, a chemical that makes you feel really good. Harvard Health explains that when one is in love, there is a dopamine surge throughout the body, like the pleasure you get from other enjoyable activities. It's the brain's way of rewarding you, making you want to be around that person more.

It Helps You Form Strong Bonds

Oxytocin, often called the "love hormone," helps you form strong connections with others, this hormone gets released when you feel attracted to someone. This hormone plays a big part in building relationships, helping you communicate and create good memories together. It's also important for things like childbirth and sex, strengthening the bond between partners.

It Can Impair Your Judgment

When you're in love, it's hard to see your partner's flaws. Your brain kind of ignores the negative things. Harvard Health explains that love basically deactivates the neural pathways which are responsible for negative emotions. You only see the good stuff, making your partner seem perfect. It's like your brain is wearing rose-colored glasses, focusing only on the positive aspects of the relationship.

It Affects Your Fight-or-Flight Response

That nervous feeling in your stomach, the sweaty hands, and fast heartbeat? That's your body's "fight-or-flight" response. When you fall in love, your body releases adrenaline and norepinephrine. These chemicals make your heart race and give you a burst of energy.

It Affects Your Pain Receptors

A 2010 study published in PLOS One showed that love changes the way your pain response works. In the study they gave people small heat stimulants while they looked at a picture of a loved one. This connection helps reduce physical and emotional pain. It shows how powerful love and physical contact can be, providing comfort and support during difficult times.

It Affects Your Cortisol And Anxiety Levels

Falling in love can also be stressful, experts explain that our body releases more cortisol, which can make you feel anxious. This happens because your brain is dealing with a new and intense situation. It can also cause a drop in serotonin, leading to feelings of uneasiness.

It Can Cause Impaired Decision-Making

Love can make you do things you wouldn't normally do. Strong feelings of love, especially in the initial stages, can indeed impair decision-making by influencing brain chemistry and leading to heightened emotions and reduced cognitive control. This can lead to impulsive and risky behavior, as you're less worried about the consequences.

Hailey Okula, a 33-year-old Los Angeles emergency room nurse and social media nursing influencer, sadly died on March 29, just minutes after giving birth to her first child by C-section. Popular for sharing her IVF experience and life as a nurse on social media, Hailey's life touched thousands of people. But her celebratory birth was transformed into a tragic loss when she experienced an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) and suffered cardiac arrest minutes after giving birth to her baby boy, Crew.

Hailey's husband, Matthew, announced the tragic news in a video clip uploaded to her Instagram and TikTok accounts. "She was able to see him for a split second," he remembered in an emotional interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles. "She had a little tear in her eye, and we had a little laugh. Then they said they were just wrapping up, and she'd be with us soon. Then everything changed."

What is Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but devastating childbirth complication that occurs in an estimated 1 in 40,000 births, reports the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic. It happens when amniotic fluid, fetal cells, or other fetal tissue enters the mother's circulation—most often during labor or delivery—causing a violent immune response. The response can lead to abrupt cardiovascular collapse, respiratory arrest, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a severe blood-clotting disorder.

Although a mother having amniotic fluid in her blood during delivery is usual, AFE is unusual because it's the overreaction of the immune system that results in a crisis. The majority are not detectable until symptoms arise, making it virtually impossible to treat at the early stages.

"AFE occurs abruptly and unpredictably. It's very difficult to treat and needs emergency medical treatment," the Mayo Clinic says.

Risks Factors related to AF

Since amniotic fluid embolism is such a rare occurrence, the exact causes have not been elucidated. Some risk factors, however, have been noted in medical literature:

• Advanced age of the mother (35+ years)
• Placenta problems, like placenta previa or placental abruption
• Preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
• Medically induced labor
• Excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
• Forceful contractions or physical trauma during labor
• Tearing of the uterus or cervix
• Forcedps or vacuum extraction during delivery

In fact, AFE has been known to happen in both vaginal and cesarean births, and in Hailey's situation, it occurred during a C-section. Medical professionals estimate that the breakdown in the placental barrier—either from natural or surgical causes—could enable amniotic fluid to leak into the mother's circulatory system. Once there, it can cause the body's severe inflammatory reaction.

Why Amniotic Fluid Embolism is a Condition Without Warning Signs or a Cure?

Hailey's unexpected cardiac arrest was a shock to her care providers and family. Her case emphasizes the heartless truth of AFE: there's no screening test, no diagnostic testing, and no known method to prevent it. Treatment is strictly limited to emergency management—resuscitation, transfusion, and stabilizing the patient.

Unfortunately, outcomes are often grim. The maternal mortality rate ranges from 40% to 80%, and nearly 50% of deaths occur within the first hour. Survivors may face lifelong complications, including neurological damage due to lack of oxygen during cardiac arrest.

Hailey's husband was abruptly faced with the unimaginable—whether to stay with his wife, now critically ill, or his new son. "Not the choice I imagined that I would make," he said, remembering the moment when he discovered doctors were giving Hailey CPR.

While amniotic fluid embolism is largely fatal for mothers, about 70% of babies are delivered safely if immediate emergency measures are taken. The key factor is time. Medical teams must act within minutes to increase the odds of survival for both mother and baby.

What Causes Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) occurs when amniotic fluid, fetal cells, or other debris enters the mother's bloodstream, triggering a severe allergic-like reaction. This can result in catastrophic heart and lung failure as well as abnormal blood clotting. Although the cause is not yet certain, it has been thought to be due to a failure of the placental barrier, usually secondary to trauma during labor or delivery. Risk factors include advanced maternal age, placental abnormalities, preeclampsia, induced labor, or cesarean section. But AFE is unusual and unavoidable, occurring in about 1 in 40,000 deliveries, and can't be averted or forecast with accuracy.

With Hailey, Crew survived and now stands as the only surviving product of a mom who battled long-term infertility, heroically seeking to deliver him into this world. "We wanted this so badly," wrote Matthew in an impassioned Instagram tribute, reflecting on the IVF struggle shared by the couple. I will never forget the day I collapsed apologizing for how much the [IVF] process would affect her. She looked at me and said, 'We are a team.' That was Hailey. A woman who would do anything for the people she loved.

Hailey Okula's untimely death has shed new light on the risks of AFE—a condition even some doctors are not familiar with because it is so rare. As a public figure and ER nurse, Hailey was well-known for speaking out about awareness of women's health and infertility, openly and honestly sharing her IVF journey with her audience.

With the resources of world-class medical technology, no mother should ever die giving life to new life. Still, complications such as amniotic fluid embolism indicate that childbirth is still dangerous—even for healthy, well-tested pregnancies. With the maternal mortality rate still on the increase in most corners of the globe, we owe it to mothers like Hailey to invest in research, education, and quicker emergency response protocols.

What is trauma? It is an emotional and physical response to distressing events such as violence, accidents, or natural disasters. It can also have lasting effects on your mental and physical health. One of the most well-known conditions linked to trauma is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can cause symptoms like anxiety, flashbacks, and hyper-vigilance. What is more interesting to note is that trauma is also believed to be stored in the body, particularly in the hips.

How Are Emotions Stored?

In 1985, neuroscientist Candace Pert found that small proteins which are called neuropeptides activate the circuits linked to emotions. She also noted that "your body is your subconscious mind". It was she who pointed out that the physical body can change depending on what you are feeling. Her research suggests that emotions are electrochemical signals that can carry emotional messages throughout the body. They are then stored, expressed and experienced through body.

As per a 2021 study, titled, Biomolecular Basis of Cellular Consciousness via Subcellular Nanobrains, noted that cell consciousness can be explained by the presence of nano brains and that cells are “highly sensitive” and respond to sensory stimuli as well as internal and extracellular electromagnetic fields.

The researchers concluded that eukaryotic cells, or the cells that make up plants, animals, fungi, and single-celled organisms, are “cognitive and intentional.”

Why Is It Stored In Your Hips?

The body’s response to trauma is complex, involving both the nervous system and hormonal changes. When faced with danger, the body activates the fight, flight, or freeze response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare the body for survival but can also lead to prolonged physical tension if the trauma is not processed properly.

The nervous system plays a crucial role in this process. The amygdala, responsible for processing emotions, can keep the body in a heightened state of alertness even after the threat has passed. This prolonged response may contribute to tension and trauma being stored in certain muscles, including those in the hips.

The hips serve as a critical connection between the upper and lower body, supporting movement and weight distribution. They are also linked to the sacral chakra, which is associated with emotions and creativity. Because of this connection, many believe that emotional trauma can become trapped in the hip muscles, particularly the psoas muscle.

The psoas muscle extends from the lower back to the hips and plays a role in movement and posture. When the body experiences trauma, the psoas may contract as a protective mechanism. Over time, this can result in chronic tension and pain.

Are There Any Signs That Your Hips Stored Trauma?

Chronic stiffness or pain in the hips and lower back

Difficulty relaxing, particularly in hip-opening stretches

Feelings of anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness

Difficulty expressing emotions or engaging in creative activities

What Can Help?

Yoga can immensely help release the stress in and around your hope, especially when trauma is stored. You can try the pigeon pose or the butterfly pose that can help stretch and release the tension in the hips.

Somatic therapy focuses on becoming aware of physical sensations and gently releasing stored trauma. This approach helps individuals reconnect with their bodies and gradually let go of tension held in the muscles, including the hips.

Deep tissue massage and myofascial release techniques can target muscle tightness and help release stored emotions. Regular bodywork can support relaxation and healing.