For the first time in history, social media companies have been found guilty of harming the mental health of a young person. Last week, jurors in Los Angeles concluded that both Meta and Google knowingly added features to Instagram and YouTube to make these platforms addictive to children. The plaintiff in the case, a 20-year-old … Read more
A regional grocery store recently went viral after unveiling an unusual — and intriguing — treat: butter-dipped ice cream cones. Stew Leonard’s, a Connecticut-based chain with additional locations in New York and New Jersey, posted an Instagram video of the dessert on Nov. 20. The video shows an employee dipping a vanilla soft-serve cone in a bowl … Read more
Enough is enough. Frustrated parents who are fed up with their young teens’ excessive screen time are turning to drastic measures, like signing them up for curated digital detox programs at camps like Reset Summer Camp. This isn’t your ordinary summer camp. This time away from home for minors aged 13 to 18 is meant … Read more
Months before Jordan McKibban collapsed in his bathroom and never woke up, the 37-year-old prepared smoked salmon and home-grown canned peppers to entertain his big, blended family in their quiet Washington state community. Weeks before, he told his mom, Pam Mauldin, things were getting serious with the woman he was dating — his “one big … Read more
Vanilla dreams, dopamine schemes. Everyone knows nicotine is an extremely addictive substance, so it makes sense that people who might want to quit vaping — or not get hooked in the first place — would try a nicotine-free option as a safer alternative. But a new study suggests they might not be as in the … Read more
Elton John has strong feelings about the legalization of marijuana. The rock star, who was named Time magazine’s Icon of the Year this week, spoke to the outlet about his storied career, which, for a period of time, was affected by his addiction to drugs and alcohol. John’s experience with addiction led to his firm … Read more
A new breed of interactive porn has emerged that is “ruining relationships everywhere”, experts are warning. Virtual reality porn, a realistic alternative to sex created using advancements in AI, is booming in popularity. According to IPSOS, around half of Aussie adults have used VR technology in some form with the industry expecting the number of … Read more
Can’t put down that bag of potato chips? Science says it’s not you, it’s the junk food. Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are just as addictive as nicotine, cocaine or heroin, experts say — and more than 1 in 10 people are hooked. A new analysis of 281 studies across 36 different countries has uncovered that … Read more
Diet Coke is low in calories, but experts claim its health risks are sky high — just in the first hour of consumption alone. The zero-sugar soda is a cult classic, thanks to its weight-friendly advertising, even as dentists warn it can erode enamel and activate the body’s “fat storage mode.” “Diet Coke, like other … Read more
An estimated 77% of Americans are engaging in addictive behaviors to cope with mental health issues — often in spite of efforts to find effective clinical therapies. The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor study, conducted by Myriad Genetics in Salt Lake City, Utah, counted several potentially high-risk behaviors among those used to cope with anxiety and … Read more
Talk about a high score. The upcoming film “Cocaine Bear” released a tandem retro-style 8-bit video game Tuesday, called “Cocaine Bear: The Rise of Pablo Escobear.” “Here’s something to entertain you,” wrote the film’s Twitter account. “Play as me” — the titular Cocaine Bear — “and share your high scores.” Players assume the role of the … Read more
Human beings crave all sorts of things: coffee, sugar, sex, gambling, Xanax, porn, binge-watching TV shows, doomscrolling on social media, cocaine, online gaming, heroin, methamphetamines, hoarding. We each find different substances and activities alluring, and we develop distinct habits of choice. Cravings are an especially forceful and persuasive class of desires. When a craving strikes, … Read more