Coping with Thirst

It would be ideal if every radika could get enough energy and/or blood whenever they need it. But sadly that's not possible. Only few blood-drinking radikas have a donor, and the situation is only a little better with those who feed only on energy.

Every radika, sooner or later, suffers from the Thirst. Since it cannot always be slaked, there should be a way with which it would be less severe. There are several things that give short-lasting respite:

• Salt, preferably sea salt that mimics the balance of different salts in human blood. A generous pinch of salt licked from the palm can help wonders. Also extra-salted foods (but not meat. For some people salted meat makes the Thirst even worse) can help.
• Fruits and vegetables (especially green vegetables) contain great amounts of energy.
• Ice and cold foods and drinks. Ice on the tongue numbs tastebuds and so makes the Thirst feel a little less terrible. Also iced drinks and ice cream are great.
• A few drops of oil in a few ounces of water (make sure the oil is edible!). This also numbs the tastebuds. Don't swallow, just swish it around in your mouth for less than a minute and then spat it out.
• A carefully prepared portion of raw, red meat. (I disagree with that, but some people say it helps. It is your choice, it can help or it can make the Thirst even worse.) Recipes for that can be found around the Internet.
• Engaging in some sort of strenuous exercise, like running or using some exercise machine, can also help. (I don't know why it helps but it usually does. Tires the inner beast too.)

As for less physical helps, listening relaxing and peaceful music, and meditation may help. Or may not. It depends on the individual.

As for what to avoid:

• Violent/disturbing films/television programs/books. If you watch some gory movie, you can be sure that it will awaken the beast if you haven't fed recently. (And it may awaken even then. Personally I avoid all bloody movies and books which describe bloody scenes in detail.)
• Stimulants. Even mild ones, like coffee, tea and chocolade. (Chocolade makes at least me feel doubly miserable when I'm Thirsty.) So, if you're eating/drinking/etc. something that seems to agitate or stimulate, you may want to consider cutting it back, or cutting that substance out, entirely.
• Alcohol and drugs. No matter what you think, they are not going to help. Once the effect wears out, you will still be craving. And do you really want to be addicted to them, too?
• Hot peppers and other hot spices. Perhaps because they inflame the tissues and stir the blood, these tend to make craving a lot worse.

If you want to lessen the blood craving in long term, you can try meditation or self-hypnosis tapes or anything you think would work for you. But the key is to stick with that one method. Even if you feel hopeless and so craving that you'd do anything, stick with what you've chosen. This is no instant help, it usually takes longer than two weeks to get any results and the condition will build little by little from that, but in longer term it usually works better than any instants cures. And you'll find out that, if nothing else, this will help you grow stronger by simply holding on to something.

Don't give up. Just keep trying. One day things will be better.