Weasel's Journal Entries

Written by J.T. Oden Few biological processes have developed a worse reputation than inflammation. Browse health websites, supplement ads, or social media wellness content, and inflammation is often framed as a hidden driver of fatigue, weight gain, heart disease, and aging. The message is usually simple: inflammation is bad, and reducing it is the goal. The reality is more nuanced. Inflammation is not a design flaw. It is one of the body’s core survival mechanisms. Every tim

Written by J.T. Oden As a kid, I wanted to be an action hero. Not in the metaphorical sense. I wanted the whole package. I wanted to move like Bruce Lee. I wanted the discipline of Batman. I wanted the athleticism of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Looking back, that last one may have been an ambitious goal considering I never found that vial of ooze, but the dream was there. Like a lot of kids, I was fascinated by strength, speed, and the idea of pushing past your limits.

Written by J.T. Oden Most of us have a budget. We know how much money we have, how much we can spend, and what happens when we overspend. For most of my life, I've lived with another kind of budget. Sickle cell disease taught me early that energy is a finite resource. Long before my stroke, I was already making calculations that many people never have to think about. How much can I take on today? How much recovery time will I need afterward? Is this worth the risk of overexte