You're on Instagram or TikTok, there are countless reels that are promising to make you a healthier, better version of yourself, one meal-prepped salad, green smoothie, or jar of overnight oats at a time. Influencers proudly promote "approved" ingredients, list things they've taken out, and demonstrate "clean eating" practices. "You are what you eat" is one of the most common captions. On the surface, this appears to be motivating. Who wouldn't want to feel more energised, ea

Rachelle DiMedia   Have you ever experienced “butterflies” in your stomach before a big event? That’s your gut and brain communicating—and scientists are discovering this connection is more profound than they previously thought. Depression and anxiety present a significant burden on society and those who suffer from them. They are a leading cause of disability in the U.S., affecting not only the individual but also their loved ones.   There is a growing need to discover thera

Like most psychiatric and mental disorders, the common misconceptions surrounding Bipolar Disorder greatly exaggerate real-life clinical presentations that may exist in day-to-day life. The association of Bipolar Disorder with psychotic, explosive, and manic episodes that seemingly come out of nowhere often dramatize the condition for entertainment and only truly represents the extreme-end of the spectrum. As such, the mild, moderate, and bipolar-adjacent conditions are curso

Steve Jobs was open about how using LSD shaped his worldview and enhanced his creativity. Spiritual leader Ram Das, who has millions of followers postmortem, attributed his spiritual awakening to psychedelics. Now pharmaceutical companies around the world are racing to bring these types of drugs to your medicine cabinet. In 2023, the FDA legitimized the potential therapeutic use of psychedelics by issuing “ first draft guidance ” for clinical trials. (1) And in 2024, the FDA

You don’t need a complicated wellness plan, a personal trainer, or a 5 a.m. routine to feel healthier. As a nurse, I’ve seen that it’s not the grand overhauls that transform people’s health, it’s the tiny habits  practiced consistently, even on the busiest days. When life feels too hectic for “self-care,” that’s exactly when small steps matter most. Here are five realistic habits that fit into real life, and still make a difference. 1. Drink a glass of water before your coffe

Abstract Stress has become a pervasive health concern, contributing to a range of psychological and physiological disorders. Meditation, a key component of many mind–body interventions, has been widely explored as a nonpharmacologic approach to mitigating stress and promoting overall well-being. This article synthesizes findings from recent clinical and observational research examining the effects of meditation on stress reduction. Evidence from randomized controlled trials a

Find your way to be productive by incorporating the Pomodoro method to accomplish all of the tasks that you have been dreading! Get work done and find your way to do it faster.

If you're like myself, the disease 'Usher Syndrome' was fairly foreign until stumbling across the Every Second Counts campaign advertisement on Hulu starring American author and disability advocate Rebecca Alexander, along with Michael Mullarkey, who was recently diagnosed at the age of 1. The phrase “How would you live your life differently if you knew it was only a matter of time before you went completely deaf and blind?” in particular, is what started the creation of this

Introduction As the global population ages, cognitive decline and dementia have become pressing public health concerns. By 2050, the number of older adults is projected to reach two billion worldwide, and with it the impact of age-related brain changes will grow. The causes of cognitive decline are complex, involving genetics, environmental exposures, and lifestyle choices. While we cannot control genetic risk, lifestyle modifications provide a meaningful way to preserve brai

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often recognized for its social communication challenges, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests (Peterson et al., 2019). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), on the other hand, develops after someone experiences trauma and can cause intrusive memories, hyperarousal, and avoidance behaviors (Haruvi-Lamdan et al., 2018). While these conditions are usually considered separately, research increasingly shows that they can overlap. Peopl

A quick take for clinicians and  curious readers A new class of health devices delivers gentle electrical pulses to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the outer ear: so-called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). Early trials in psychiatry-adjacent outcomes (insomnia, depressive symptoms, autonomic dysregulation) are promising, while safety appears favorable. But effects vary by device settings and population, and larger, multisite trials are stil

Many of us kept a secret journal as kids, documenting our feelings and moments with colorful pens, stickers, and doodles. But whether journaling was just a childhood phase, an activity that never crossed your mind, or something you have been pondering about, this is a sign to start!  What is Journaling? There is no strict rule for journaling. The activity is meant to be limitless and personal to you! Journaling can be a space for expressing emotions, documenting events, or re

Most people hit the gym to build muscle or lose some weight, but research shows the brain may be one of the biggest winners when we move our bodies. Far beyond burning calories, exercise sparks neurochemical and structural changes that shape how we think, feel, and remember. Reviews of recent studies demonstrate that both single exercise sessions and long-term physical activity directly impact brain function and plasticity. What’s happening in your brain? When you exercise, t

When most people think of meditation, they imagine long retreats or years of practice. But research shows that even short, daily sessions can lead to measurable changes in how our brains function. A 2016 study found that just 10 minutes of guided meditation per day, over the course of two weeks, improved attention, working memory, mood, and emotional regulation in people who had never meditated before. Training the brain through stillness Meditation works by focusing attentio

Good mental health is as crucial as good physical health; neither is achieved or maintained without due effort and planning. In the modern day, when each new day brings its share of stresses and pressures, so does the coping mechanisms and techniques of self-care, helping one lead a life with lessened stress, a good mood, and overall well-being. The self-care practices that could be discussed here are the coping mechanisms necessary for maintaining mental health and resilienc

Drug overdose deaths have dropped nearly 27% in the past year, but drug supply continues to evolve with fentanyl, xylazine, and other threats. This article explains how to recognize an overdose, use naloxone, and support harm reduction strategies during National Recovery Month 2025. Author: Susanna Marrs RN, BSN, CARN

A torch in the dark for people with treatment-resistant depression? Introduction You have probably heard of the drug ketamine.  For many people, there is a stigma around this word.  Things that may come to mind include partying and substance abuse.  However, did you know that a form of ketamine is frequently used as an alternative method of addressing treatment-resistant depression?   What is treatment-resistant depression? Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) occurs when at

Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) is revolutionizing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, promising earlier detection, better patient stratification, and accelerated drug discovery. Here is a comprehensive overview of how AI is transforming Alzheimer’s care in 2025 Early Detection of Alzheimer's Early Diagnosis and Risk Prediction in Alzheimer's AI has enabled the identification of early risk factors by analyzing large-scale patient data—including

Both have benefits and drawbacks... it's up to personal preference. With more and more people looking for therapy, a critical choice is deciding between online and in-person therapy. Both are viable options — it is up to personal preference to decide which is the best fit for you. This article will cover the benefits and drawbacks of each method, starting with online therapy. Online Therapy: Benefits Accessibility and convenience: take sessions from anywhere, anytime with fle

We all know sleep is important. However, lately, science is proving just how crucial it is, and not just for our physical health but for our mental wellbeing too. Sleep isn't just about resting, it’s when your brain does some serious work behind the scenes. If you're not getting enough sleep, your mind can really start to feel the effects. What happens while you sleep? When we sleep, our brain goes through different stages, with two major phases: REM sleep (where we dream) an