How I Prepare to Travel
“I have found out there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”
I have a love/hate relationship with traveling. I thoroughly enjoying going to different places, experiencing new cities, recognizing how others have changed since my last visit. Flying is what gets me. Flying, just like anything, has its advantages and disadvantages. It is generally the fastest mode of transportation, not including layovers, delays, the TSA and gate agents.
Unfortunately, body scanners are not the only source of radiation when flying. The altitude at which commercial planes generally fly contains twice the levels of UV radiation as found at sea level. Flying over clouds or snow can reflect the light (visible and invisible), doubling the amount of exposure in-flight. This is especially dangerous for pilots, who have significantly more exposure than the average traveler. Pilots’ exposure is also increased because of the large window in the cockpit. Cockpit windows are generally made of plexiglass and allow enough UV-A to pass to make a difference. One hour of flying at altitude can expose a pilot to as much radiation as would a 20 minute session in a tanning bed.
The body scanners are not only worthless, but harmful. You can opt out, but you have to stand next to the carry-on x-ray scanner while you wait to be patted down. I like to think of the pat down as a complimentary lymphatic drainage. The current TSA scanners use millimeter-wave frequencies to detect metal objects on your body. Great! I prefer ceramic knives anyway, no contact-oxidation. The TSA says the scanners are harmless, but interestingly enough, Raytheon uses the same technology in their "active denial system" for crowd control, which burns the targets skin. Their motto is "Pain without Injury." I think pain is usually an indicator of injury. If I burn my hand on a hot pot, that's an injury. Getting burned by a microwave is not different, and may even be more harmful. They argue that it's non lethal, but again this is dosage dependent. If you microwave someone for long enough, they'll die, or at least wish they were dead. Studies show that the active scanners can depress cell lifespan and alter genetic expression. So from here on, I’m going to spell out how I prepare to fly, to make my travel as efficient and harmless as possible.
There are several things you can do to prepare for flying that will help reduce the mental and physical stress. First of all, be healthy and fit. You don’t want to die traveling because you got a blood clot. Flying exposes you to a huge number of people. You’re going to be trapped in a sealed tube with a hundred other people. You don’t know what they’re carrying! Having an optimized immune system will create less stress in the body.
I like to load up on antioxidants before I fly. UV (as is x ray) radiation is ionizing radiation. That means that as the waves pass through you, they knock off electrons. Oxidation. When I know I’m traveling, I take MegaHydrate on a more regular basis. Not only is H-- the most potent antioxidant, but when combined with silica, helps detoxify radiation (I think). I also like to up the zeolites, powder and liquid. They each work differently. When I have the little bottle of NCD2, I take it with me through “security.” Vitamin C is another good one to consider, as is colloidal silver for immunity. I also tend to sweat, between carrying stuff, having many layers for many climates, stressing (just kidding, I don’t do that!) so I like to take 2-3 quintessentials before I leave for the airport. Edit: I just heard that liquids can be brought through security, if frozen. I am curious to know the justification, not that I'm complaining!
Mushrooms are great because not only are they adaptogens, but can stave off radiation as well. Chaga contains melanin, which can attach itself to radiation, and help the body eliminate it. Chaga also contains a usable form of superoxide dismutase, a very potent antioxidant. Being adaptogenic, it also helps to reduce mental stress and anxiety. TL;DR: Drink chaga even if you’re not traveling.
I brought this post up with my friends Scott and Nitsa over at Sun Potion, who also thought it was worth mentioning Reishi, for its supreme calming effects. Reishi is known as the herb of good fortune, which is also something you'll want when relying on so many other people and things to get where you want to go. Scott and Nitsa also mentioned taking a salt inhaler on the plane. I don't have any experience with one, but I can see how it makes sense. Drip some essential oils in there, and breath away! It works to clean and flush out your respiratory system. I definitely want to keep my lungs clean when trapped breathing recirculated airplane air. It's like having your own portable, personal rock salt lamp.
Look how tan that thing is!
In a previous post I mentioned grounding. When you’re in an airplane, you’re not grounded to the earth. But you can ground yourself to the plane by touching the frame of the seat in front of you, I hear. My understanding is that you can get some electrons, but the plane’s ground has only a limited supply, and does not contain any Schumann resonances. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring a Schumann resonance with you! I bring a zapper with me. Either this one or this one. Grounding when you reach your destination will also help reset your circadian rhythms, as will unprotected sunlight to the eyes.
The most important part of the flight is the snacks. I don’t care if we crash and burn, as long as I’m eating chocolate. Snacks are really important though. You don’t want an energy drop while your delayed for 16 hours in Minneapolis while on hold with the airline that forgot to put your bag on the plane. Two words: Goji berries. Sweet, complete protein and polysaccharid rich they are. And the number one food source of lithium. You’ll want that, it’s a mood stabilizer. All jokes aside, it is important to have chocolate with you as well. You’ll get some MAOIs, PEA, anandamide and theobromine, assuming you have good chocolate. Seasnax are another favorite of mine. Salty and iodine rich, perfect for helping me keep my calm and protecting my thyroid. My preferred energy source is fat, so I like to bring olives and/or some kind of nut, preferably macadamia. You might be thinking, “but if I bring food with me, it will be x-rayed!” Yes, that’s true. But all food on the other side of security will be, so it’s much cheaper to bring your own. I’ve successfully asked TSA agents to hand-check my food and supplements. Before I fly I take a screen shot off the TSA website saying you can have supplements hand inspected instead of sent through the scanner. Although, I just looked for the page on their site and can’t find it, but in any case, your supplements will experience ionizing radiation from outer space. Currently, the only way around that is strictly ground transportation.
The contents of my carry-on
Not all travel prep is directly related to the body. It’s important to pack smartly to maximize efficiency and organization. I think my backpack is perfect for travel. It has a secure space for my computer, 22L of space to hold my carry-on necessities (like food), an easy access top pocket and is durably made in Montana. The buckles are made with nickel plated stainless steel from Waterbury, CT. The fabric is DuPont engineered 1000D Cordura Nylon that’s nearly waterproof. Kletter opted for the old standby YKK zippers, in a larger than usual size. There are also nylon tabs on the backpack to pull in the opposite direction while zipping. It’s everything I want from a backpack, minus the sherpa.
Good headphones are another necessity for easy traveling. You want to hear the clearest sound, while not hearing babies cry. I don't like noise canceling headphones. They work by introducing frequencies that cancel out the ambient noise. That doesn't sound very efficient to me. And I don't want to have electronics strapped to my head if I'm only getting sub-par sound quality. I use ear buds for convenience when driving and out and about, but I prefer having space between the speaker and my ear. These are my favorite headphones, as you probably know. I previously said I was loyal to B&O. They're very comfortable over the ear headphones that sound amazing, with the option to daisy chain. What more could I ask for?
I also recently acquired a dope-ass suitcase. I’m 24 and I remember using three different suitcases in my lifetime so far. My new one will last me for the rest of my life. It’s aluminum with a lifetime warranty. It’s got 33L for my packing convenience, with 2 built in locks. Rimowa’s been around since 1898, so I’m thinking they’re doing something right I also appreciate that it's North American made. Rimowa's suitcases are made around the world, but mine happens to be from Canada.
