Fit and Healthy Lifestyle

Is there an alternative to coffee for staying alert while
driving-something without the familiar addictive side effects one can
experience from caffeine. Researchers believe air charged with negative
ions may be the remedy to prevent drivers from nodding off on the
highway.

Negative ion air purifiers for cars make clean airflow available to a
driver. It accomplishes this by releasing negative ions into the car’s
atmosphere. These negative ions attach themselves to positive ions in
the air. Micro particles, of a positive charge, are fungi, exhaust,
bacteria, dust, mold, and other pollutants.

When the negative ions attach to these positive particles, they form a
cluster. The resultant cluster is now too heavy to remain in the air.
It falls to surfaces inside the car. The result is cleaner air to
breathe in the vehicle, while a simple wiping of the surface cleans
away the residue. Fresher air means an energized driver who is more
alert.

Why is ionization of vehicle interior air a better alternative to
coffee? Coffee is a stimulant because of the caffeine present within.
Regular over-indulgence of coffee can lead to caffeine addiction.

This addiction can interfere with one’s normal life activities
including driving. Some of the addictive side effects of caffeine are
irregular heartbeat, diarrhea, rambling thought flow and speech, and
nervousness (Psychology Today, Online Edition, Caffeine-Section
II-Symptoms, Review date April 2005).
Those who rely on caffeine to function and then strive to wean
themselves off may experience certain other adverse effects. Withdrawal
symptoms can include depression due to decreased serotonin levels.
Researchers point to the fact that depression and low serotonin levels
go hand in hand.

A John Hopkins study found that withdrawal symptoms such as depression
start as early as twelve to twenty-four hours after the last drink of
caffeine. Symptoms can last for one to nine days with peak intensity at
one to two days (John Hopkins Medicine, Online Edition, September 29,
2004, Caffeine Withdrawal Recognized as a Disorder, Paragraph 7).

Some automobile manufacturers already have ‘ion air conditioning’ in
place in some models of cars in Japan. To promote alert driving these
systems clean and cool the air utilizing negative ions. It is a way to
keep the air fresh inside a car so drivers remain awake and focused.

Ionization of air with negative ions is a process that produces no side
effects. This makes it a perfect coffee substitute for motorists.
Research at Columbia University measured the antidepressant benefits of
negative ions. Related to seasonal affective disorder it nonetheless
showed air induced with negative ions acts as an antidepressant (Terman
M, Terman JS, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, Abstract,
1995); the exact opposite of caffeine withdrawal causing depression
symptoms.

The studies also showed no side effects from this ionization treatment.
This bodes well for negative ion purification use in many other areas.
The potential benefits for drivers prone to nodding off are undeniable.
Fresh, clean air invigorates and promotes a positive attitude.

A refreshed energized driver is a safer driver. While coffee may give a
short-term boost of energy, it is not long lasting. It eventually has a
downer effect. More coffee will not reverse this effect. It will
instead cause adverse symptoms to develop.

It is common sense to continue further study in this area. The
automobile industry’s initial forays show promise. Having negative ion
air purifiers in your car is an available option right now. You can
purchase portable models to install in a vehicle.

The Department of Transportation has not issued any edicts on requiring
them them, though. However, further study on making them standard
features in vehicles for the promotion of driving safety is something
to consider.

Negative ions have been used in clinical depression patients to improve
mood disorders and reduce depression symptoms. These negative ions, in
theory, should also enhance energy and decision making levels. The
indoor air quality will improve, increase negative ions, oxygenation of
the environment, enhance energy levels, reduce mold growth and airborne
viruses, bacteria, and allergens. The equipment will also sanitize the
air and eliminate bad odors such as nicotine smoke.

In theory, when nicotine smoke is removed from the habitation, in which
an addicted smoker lives, that person should not be able to remember
the smell of nicotine and therefore experience less addiction symptoms.
We observed smokers addicted to nicotine that seemed to be more
interested in smoking a cigarette after smelling someone else smoking,
especially when not having smoked for a while.

The author has found as part of his Ph.D. project with Walden
University that poor relationships among collaborators and teams at the
workplace are responsible for the productivity level in which they
work. Relationship building and team management could coincide with
will-power management. If addiction in heavy smoker-addicts can be
improved through increased addiction management skills by way of
enhanced will-power, then it might also become possible to help manage
teams and their relationships, especially during trying times.

This is however only a theoretical idea. Further studies are necessary
about the relationship of addiction in nicotine addicts and the
smelling of nicotine being a trigger to increase addiction. We have had
the opportunity to observe nicotine addicts desiring a cigarette when
smelling nicotine smoke. That was however fresh smoke. Nobody has yet
identified that residue nicotine smoke on walls in a home or car having
triggered the addiction symptoms and therefore made stop-smoking harder.

Results from additional research surveys will further help understand
the view of the smokers how they feel different in respect to their
addiction management and symptoms with the use of negative ion
generating air purifiers.

There are of course many variables. These can be and are certainly not
limited to the location of the home, its environment, the health of the
person, the length of years of the person having been addicted, the
will-power to manage addiction, the quantity of cigarettes smoked
daily, and certainly the age of the person. One person may be able to
manage addiction symptoms better than another person.

Then there is the smell and taste sensitivity that may play a factor in
recognizing smoke odor versus smoke-free environment and how well the
patients respond to the oxygenated negative-ion saturated environment.
It is currently unknown if negative ions enhance will-power. In theory,
as it improves mood, it should be possible. And the type of tobacco may
also play a role and what the ingredients are of a specific cigarette
brand.