If you aren’t getting out, you’re missing out.

Really missing out.

It’s easy to discuss all the sights there are to behold when venturing away from the addictive quality of electronic devices. But there are many reasons for an individual to cut the cord and suffer from periodic symptoms of EDSA, or Electronic Device Separation Anxiety.

Forgive the acronym, but it was fun to make it up.

Truth is, dependency on electronic devices continues to rise and fewer children are venturing outdoors. Games of kick the can or tag appear to have gone the way of the dinosaur.

This seems to be in contrast to the theory of Harvard biologist Edward Wilson that humans are drawn to their natural surroundings. Today, however, children suffer from nature deficit disorder and many believe diminishing time spent outdoors denies youths an opportunity to grow.

Frightening stories on the news may lead some to believe being indoors is safer than out, but there’s no proof to suggest this is true. In fact, the benefits far outweigh the possibility of a skinned knee or twisted ankle.

There’s no set of rules for how a child can interact with nature, giving them the power to establish their own guidelines, which helps build confidence. In addition, when a child is outdoors, creativity grows as they figure things out on their own.

The level of stimulation for the brain when outdoors far exceeds what a child can attain playing a video game. This may seem in stark contrast to the mayhem in many video games, but the sights, sounds, and smells in nature send the brain into overdrive because all the senses are engaged.

As for overall health, spending time in the great outdoors requires movement and gets the blood pumping, which improves overall cardiac fitness.

Stress is also reduced when outdoors. In a 2009 study, stress at home was reduced after just a short walk.

But those are the obvious benefits.

Studies by the Environmental Protection Agency indicate many air pollutants are worse indoors than outdoors, so isolating a child with asthma or allergies may not be in their best interest.

Consider the ash from a fireplace in the winter, not to mention chemicals in cleaning supplies and furniture, as well as dirt, mold, and pet dander.

Ever been told by mom not to sit so close to the television because it’s not good for your eyes? She may have been on to something. The natural setting is much easier on the eyes and those who spend more time outdoors are less likely to suffer from nearsightedness.

And that doesn’t include the benefits of vitamin D, which is provided naturally by the sun. However, the amount of time humans spend inside means they aren’t getting enough of the naturally occurring nutrient.

Low vitamin D is viewed as a pandemic in the United States with one study indicating up to 75 percent of Americans not getting enough.

Yet it’s free if we just take the time to get up and get out.

Low levels of the vitamin is associated with a number of diseases, including heart problems, Alzheimer’s, depression, and there is some preliminary research tying the condition to autism.

Still not enough to get you up and out? It is cold and flu season and being outdoors boosts the immune system. Turns out the natural particles in forested areas improve your ability to fight off disease.

If that’s still not enough, how about simply feeling happy?

Getting outdoors improves the level of serotonin in the brain, which is the chemical reaction that makes people feel good, and the level of serotonin is tied to the amount of sun we get.

And this holds true regardless of the season.

Happy trails.

If you didn’t know, now you do.

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis plant. The leaves of the plant are quite distinctive and have been portrayed in many messages – from bumper stickers and drawings to artwork on the sides of vehicles or buildings.

The drug has been the subject of debate for over a century. In 1906, some labeled the plant as poisonous and state restrictions began emerging in the 1920’s followed by the first national regulation in 1937.

The debate about the regulations has reached as high as the United States Supreme Court, which ruled the federal government had the right to regulate the drug.

Today, a number of states have decriminalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes and a few permit its use recreationally.

Although there has been research and information distributed about the potential benefits of the drug, only in recent years have scientists started looking at potential side effects and dangers.

New studies, despite claims that it is not addictive, indicate it is associated with the criteria for substance dependence.

THC, the acronym for Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical compound in cannabis that brings on the “high,” and its use has often been seen as a safe alternative to other recreational drugs with few side effects.

However, in a story in Live Science, a study of more than 38,600 samples of plants seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration found that levels of THC are on the rise.

And, at over 300 percent, that rise is significant.

The argument that the use of marijuana has health benefits isn’t entirely accurate, either.

While the levels of THC have risen, the beneficial ingredient, known as CBD (cannabidiol), has been in a steady fall, sliced almost in half in the past 15 years.

Its legalization in some states doesn’t come with a sticker stating the product is “safe” or “harmless.” Consider tobacco products and alcohol, both of which have warnings associated with them, such as “drink responsibly,” “don’t drink and drive,” and the surgeon general’s warning on cigarette boxes.

Marijuana can increase heart rate and blood pressure, an indication some individuals can be more susceptible to heart attacks and is known to increase the risk of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

These facts were cause for concern at a hospital when an increase in infants testing positive for marijuana was noted. That would be a concern to the parents considering social services could have gotten involved.

Turned out it was a false positive, the result of soap formulas. There was no marijuana in the soap; it was just a matter of how the ingredients worked together.

As legalization gains a head of steam, researchers are looking at the potential side effects of marijuana, not just on the human body, but the landscape.

Grows, legal and illegal, are far from beneficial to the environment. The amount of energy used for indoor grows is massive and the illegal grows on public lands that often garner front-page headlines are detrimental to the land, water, and wildlife.

And it does hit closer to home than some may believe. Illegal grows are often found on public land, and there’s a lot more public land in the west than anywhere else in the nation.

In 2012, 12,556 illegal marijuana plants were seized and destroyed just south of Wikieup, Arizona along the Big Sandy. Large amounts of fertilizer and poisons were used at the site. Carcasses of poached wildlife were found, and the poisons used to kill rodents can result in the death of raptors and other animals that consume the poisoned creatures.

Grows consume a lot of potential wildlife habitat, need to use a lot of a limited water supply and large amounts of fertilizers are not good when it filters into drinking water.

How much land can be consumed? Consider the amount of habitat lost following the largest drug seizure on record: 6.4 million pounds.

For those wishing to learn more, visit only reputable websites, not those that simply confirm existing beliefs.

If you didn’t know, now you do.