More than 25 years ago, online currencies caused a craze...
In the late 1990s, investors flocked to two seemingly ahead-of-the-game dot-com companies – Flooz and Beenz.
For those who may not remember, these were new "online currencies" that attempted to become an alternative to credit cards for spending money on the Internet.
They weren't backed by a government or any underlying asset. Instead, they relied on high-profile ad campaigns... Flooz chose Whoopi Goldberg, while Beenz hired "reverse pickpockets" to slip their promotional flyers into folks' pockets.
Flooz raised $35 million from investors, while Beenz collected nearly $100 million. They didn't have any earnings or really even a product, just the hope that people would let them handle their transactions rather than use credit cards.
Of course, anyone who held on to their Flooz or Beenz currencies for long found out they were worthless. Flooz blew through its capital and closed down within about two years. Beenz lasted about three years. A quarter-century later, few people remember them.
The Internet boom that ended in 2000 created many stories like Flooz and Beenz. At the time, investors piled into anything about the Internet, with no regard for profits. Of course, many of these companies evaporated into bankruptcy.
History seems to be repeating today with the latest craze: artificial intelligence ("AI"). Investors are blindly throwing money at any company touting AI technology, all because they're afraid of missing out on big, Nvidia-like gains.
While some of these tech companies could make you a lot of money, too many of them will turn out to be duds. An estimated 90% of startups fail, so the odds are not in your favor.
However, one particular AI company is set to go public soon that could change everything.
This company has pioneered an AI " super chip" that's 50 times faster than Nvidia's chips. And once its product goes mainstream, it could transform the AI sector, disrupt American markets, and cause an economic reshuffling that will impact your wealth for decades.
Next week, two legendary investors – one from Wall Street, the other from Silicon Valley – will share all the details on this major AI breakthrough. They believe it could be the catalyst to double your money with five little-known stocks poised to leverage this new technology.
My regular readers know that I'm a conservative investor... You won't usually see stock recommendations like this in my own newsletters.
But if you're feeling the urge to speculate, you'll want to hear what these experts have to say. This sort of investing is risky, but with the right guidance, your odds are much better than the folks who are merely gambling.
Reserve your spot for this free event on May 21 right here.
Now, before we dive into this week's Q&A, I want to send a special thank you to the many readers who e-mailed sharing their best financial advice. Keep your eye on your inbox for more on this… And as always, keep sending your comments, questions, and topic suggestions to feedback@healthandwealthbulletin.com. My team and I read every e-mail.
Don't Turn to Drugs for Allergy Relief
Q: What are your thoughts on allergy meds like Claritin? – D.A.
A: Thanks for the question, D.A.
Claritin is one of the most popular go-tos for allergy sufferers. It blocks histamine (the chemical that causes allergy symptoms) binding to prevent allergies. But its side effects include drowsiness, headaches, constipation, and dry mouth. Some allergy medications can also raise your blood pressure.
Benadryl is another popular drug to treat allergies. Benadryl is a type of anticholinergic, which blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in our nervous system. This class of drugs relaxes nerves in many of our body's systems. That includes the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract (the digestive system), and the lungs. People take these drugs for problems like allergies, depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson's disease, and even for an overactive bladder.
But a 2019 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that long-term use of anticholinergics like Benadryl might increase your risk of dementia. While the study was observational, researchers linked taking anticholinergics for three-plus years to around a 50% higher risk of developing dementia, compared with those who took medication for just a few months.
Rather than taking drugs with all sorts of potential side effects, consider using one of my favorite tools for allergy and sinus relief: a neti pot... A 2004 study published in the journal Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery concluded that nasal irrigation – like using a neti pot – is an effective and underutilized treatment for nose and sinus conditions.
A neti pot looks like a smaller version of a teapot with a spout that's shaped to fit into your nostril. Pouring a saline solution through your nose can flush out pollen and nasal congestion.
The first step is putting some lukewarm sterilized or distilled water (never use tap water) into the neti pot and adding a saline packet – which generally comes included when you buy a neti pot. Then, you lean over the sink and pour the mixture into one nostril, angling your head so that it flows out the other nostril. After pouring half of the mixture through, tilt your head and do the other nostril. Occasionally, I have to lightly (very lightly) blow my nose during the rinse.
This process may take some getting used to, but it's worth it... The buffered water flushes the pollen and other allergens out of your nasal passages before they can cause an allergic reaction.
Do what I do and use the neti pot once a day during peak allergy season. It's also one of the first things I reach for if I feel a head cold coming on – I can often knock it right out with a little rinse.
What We're Reading...
- Did you miss it? Searching for value in the auto market.
- Something different: A duck was caught in the speed trap in Switzerland – twice.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
May 16, 2025
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